THE CHISHOLM TRAIL A PRESENTATION T0 PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE LANDSCAPE STRATEGY FOR THE PROJECT PAGE 1

P r e s e n t e d B y H e n r y C a s e m e n t Principal Landscape Architect and Chartered Member of The Landscape Institute Chartered Landscape Architect with 18 years professional experience working largely within the Public Sector on Local Authority projects. On Secondment from Capita to Cambridgeshire County Council. My role on the Chisholm Trail project is to lead the landscape design elements of the scheme, provide close technical advice and support to Cambridgeshire County Council as the client and to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed Landscape Strategy for the Project. T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L PAGE 2

T h e L a n d s c a p e S t r a t e g y The landscape strategy for the Chisholm Trail is based upon the following core design principles: 1. Incorporation of landscape mitigation measures to create an appropriate setting for the proposed route. 2. To open up sections of under-utilised land and reinstate areas of landscape that have become degraded. 3. Incorporation of planting which will ‘soften’ the route. Plant species will be native and ‘in keeping’ with those found on site currently. 4. Close collaboration and input from the scheme ecologists and consultees involved in the project. 5. To introduce planting which will mature overtime, soften the structural form of the route and create a denser screening effect of boundary tree and shrub planting. 6. To introduce planting which will lead to beneficial impacts, particularly in relation to the existing state of the landscape. T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L PAGE 3

P r o p o s e d P l a n t i n g T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L Examples of native trees to be planted T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L Field maple Black poplar Silver birch Wild cherry Examples of native shrubs to be planted Hawthorn Privet Guelder rose Hazel PAGE 4

Examples of native grasses and wildflowers to be planted P r o p o s e d P l a n t i n g Examples of native grasses and wildflowers to be planted T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L Common knapweed Common sorrel Cowslip Crested dogstail Meadow buttercup Oxeye daisy Quaking grass Yarrow PAGE 5

T h e L a n d s c a p e S c h e m e T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L Sheet 1 Further south to the west of the proposed trail a native scrub mix is proposed adjacent to the brook to mitigate any scrub removal. No trees are specified here to reduce any shading. Species rich seeding and plug planting are proposed on the margins of the diverted brook to provide water vole habitat mitigation. Where the path spurs and runs up through Ditton meadow there is a proposed fence and hedge to help separate the scheme and protect the meadow. Behind this within Ditton meadow there is an area of open pasture grass seeding to the flood compensation area. T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L PAGE 6

T h e L a n d s c a p e S c h e m e T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L Sheet 2 Sheet 2 Moving north towards Ditton meadow the species rich grassland mix continues to reinstate the trail embankments. Wider areas of replacement scrub, tree planting with defensive planting along the western boundary fence also follow the route at this point up to where the trail meets the old railway line. Heading east along the old railway line the ground is also reinstated with species rich grassland calcareous mix and areas of native scrub planting. Areas of tree loss are mitigated with proposed tree and hedge planting where possible. To the west the old railway is to be reinstated with a species rich grassland calcareous mix. A hedgerow will be planted both sides of the track. There is a large area of existing scrub and trees maintained. With any tree loss due to construction of the trail mitigated with proposed trees along the edge of the existing scrub. T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L PAGE 7

T h e L a n d s c a p e S c h e m e T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L Sheet 3 At this location there are areas of managed scrub planting proposed at the entrance to the underpass. At Newmarket road there are larger areas of reinstated grassland and scrub with a species rich grassland mix and areas of native tree and scrub planting. T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L PAGE 8

T h e L a n d s c a p e S c h e m e T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L Sheet 4 At the South end of the scheme (Coldhams lane) where the trail follows the existing route along and under the railway and north towards the Abbey stadium. The embankments and removed hardstanding have been reinstated with an open pasture seed mix. T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L PAGE 9

C h e s t e r t o n B r i d g e T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L Sheet 1 On the lead up to Chesterton Bridge Species rich seeding and plug planting are proposed on the margins of the diverted brook to provide water vole habitat mitigation. On both sides of river the edges of the trail are seeded with species rich grassland standard meadow mix. (continued on Page 9) T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L PAGE 10

C h e s t e r t o n B r i d g e T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L Sheet 2 Planting features have been proposed adjacent to the steps originally this was to be planted with non-native planting to create a contrast in the landscape and a feature of the new structure however after recent discussions and direction from consultees this has been changed to native grasses. T H E C H I S H O L M T R A I L PAGE 11

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