Project Overview

Challenges & Environmental Considerations

  • Legal Protection: The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 prohibits interfering with active setts. A licensed approach was required.
  • Ecological Impact: The badgers needed a suitable alternative habitat to prevent disruption.
  • Site Clearance Needs: The site required tree clearance and vegetation management to prepare for the development.

Our Approach

As expert site clearance contractors, Zirkon executed a structured plan to relocate the badgers safely while preparing the site for construction. Our work included:

  • Installing one-way badger gates to encourage natural relocation.
  • Securing the existing sett with badger-proof mesh to prevent re-entry.
  • Tree removal & clearance in the artificial sett location.
  • Constructing a custom artificial badger sett with:
    • 10 nesting chambers
    • Interconnected tunnels and access points
    • Buried structure at a depth of 1.25m

Outcome & Client Satisfaction

The artificial sett was strategically baited, and within days, project ecologists confirmed badger activity in the new habitat. This seamless transition ensured that:

  • The client remained compliant with wildlife legislation.
  • No project delays occurred.
  • The development moved forward without legal risks.
  • The badgers successfully adapted to their new artificial sett.

Why Choose Zirkon for Site Clearance & Ecological Works?

With extensive experience as site clearance contractors, Zirkon ensures that development projects proceed legally, efficiently, and with minimal environmental impact. Whether you need tree clearance, habitat management, or wildlife mitigation, our team provides expert solutions tailored to your project needs.

Client:
Commercial Landowner
Location:
Birmingham, West Midlands
Project Value:
£30k + VAT
Services Provided
  • Surveying
  • Tree Removal
  • Badger Sett Closure
  • Artificial Badger Sett
Duration:

2 Weeks

“This project was a great opportunity for ZIRKON to showcase our experience within this environmental sector. The project was a great success and a survey of the artificial sett revealed the badgers using it shortly after installation.”

Tom Payne, Managing Director

Invasive Plant Remediation

Request a Survey
We remediate sites affected by invasive plants, including Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed & Himalayan Balsam

Surveys

Zirkon offer comprehensive invasive plant surveys to ensure all invasive plants are identified at your site. One of our specialist surveyors will prepare a detailed survey report and recommend the most appropriate remediation strategy for your project.

Investing in an invasive plant survey early on during a development scheme can save significant time and also ensure budgets for invasive species are set. The main invasive plants covered within survey reports are Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and Horsetail, however we can also identify other schedule 9 plant species. 

A comprehensive survey report document would include the following information:

  • CAD site plans created from GIS points taken on site
  • Relevant legislation
  • RICS risk category assessment (Japanese Knotweed)
  • Site findings
  • Surveyor on-site data sheet
  • Annotated photographs
  • Recommended remedial strategy
  • Herbicide Treatment 

Herbicide treatment offers a cost-effective, in-situ solution to an invasive plant infestation. Provided there are no plans to develop or disturb the ground within proximity to an area affected by invasive plants, a herbicide management plan would most likely be the recommended remedial strategy.

Our experienced surveyors will fully assess the scale of the problem and discuss our clients’ requirements following a site inspection and meeting. Within 24 hours, our team will deliver a detailed written quotation.

Excavation & Off-site Disposal

Developers rarely have the time available to carry out a 5 Year herbicide treatment programme, which are not suitable if there are plans to excavate ‘Controlled Waste’ soils; and develop within affected areas. In this case, immediate invasive plant removal via physical excavation and licensed disposal of the Controlled Waste is a good option.

Following successful excavation and on-site disposal, our clients are provided with a 10 year Insurance Backed Guarantee, from a leading insurer, which becomes valid once we complete the excavation works on site.

Development works can commence as normal once we are finished remediating the site. Typically, an excavation takes 1-2 weeks to complete, however this does depend on the scale of the works.

As part of our after-care service, sites are monitored on a bi- annual basis for 2 years (2 growing seasons) following completion, to ensure no-re-growth occurs.

Other Excavation Methods 

 

We also offer lots of other excavation methods to remediate invasive plants, some of which are listed below: 

  • On-site soil screening (Japanese Knotweed only)
  • Cell Burial
  • Relocation & Treatment
  • Installation of Root Barriers 

Our specialist consultants are able to assist with any of the above and have been involved with some of the most complex invasive plant remediation schemes in the UK. 

invasive plant remediation

Looking for a specialist contractor?

The Zirkon team can survey your site,
provide expert advice & remediate any size of site affected by invasive plants.

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