Greenspace and Sustainability

Our project will be developed and run in a manner which is both sympathetic to the environment and meets the lifestyle aspirations of local people. Polices and programmes will be developed to ensure material is recycled and/or composted where possible. Water use will be minimised through appropriate site design and management.

Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDs)

SUDs are recognised best practice in surface water management, attenuation and treatment.

The Helix SUDs system will control potentially polluted surface water run-off from roads and parking areas and prevent it from reaching open water bodies.

Treatment features will include source control techniques (e.g. buffer strips, swales and porous pavements) and a series of linked pond basins which progressively filter and clean the run-off.

All of this will play a key part in developing and maintaining the Helix water meadows and wetlands habitats.

Managing water run-off will also reduce the load on conventional piped drainage systems. This is important as Falkirk is one of Scotland’s highest flood risk areas.

Biodiversity

The Helix will enhance the biodiversity of the entire site by improving existing conditions and creating new areas of habitat.

A combination of design and management features will meet the requirements of species such as birds, butterflies, amphibians and small mammals, as well as plants like orchids.

Existing Helix habitats, including woodland, will be supplemented by the following new habitats (dimensions are approximate):

• new woodland – 25 hectares
• new wetland – 6 hectares
• new open water bodies including a lagoon – 5 hectares
• new meadow – 3 hectares
• new grassland – 3 hectares.

A series of surveys will log all regional flora and fauna and identify the scope for habitat development which both supports and increases biodiversity.

Community groups will undertake some wildlife surveys, as well as host bird and bat walks.

Plans will also be drawn up to protect or assist ‘at risk’ species.

Local sustainability projects

The Helix will work with a variety of local partners to explore the delivery of sustainability projects across the Falkirk area. Potential examples include:

• recycling projects
• schools litter programmes
• Fairtrade schemes.