Peasedown St John: Creating a Public Wildlife Pond With Access, Fencing and Careful Planning

Designing a Wildlife Pond for a Public Space

Although we were given a basic specification and dimensions, THRC was responsible for shaping the practical design of the pond on the ground.

The finished pond was designed to be approximately 10m x 10m, with sloping sides, planting shelves and a deepest point of around 1m. We used a 0.75mm butyl liner with fleece underlay and overlay, giving the pond a strong and reliable base while still allowing it to be shaped naturally.

The planting shelves were included so native aquatic and marginal plants could establish properly around the edges. These included species such as yellow flag iris, water mint, marsh marigold, purple loosestrife, water forget-me-not, lilies and UK native oxygenating plants.

A pebble ramp was built into the pond edge to allow easy access in and out for wildlife. We also added log piles and perch spots around the pond, along with a fresh sowing of wildflower seed to help the surrounding area settle into something more useful for insects, amphibians, birds and pollinators.

Tree Protection and Site Constraints

Before excavation began, we had to make sure there were no underground services, drains or sewer systems that would be affected by the work.

One ornamental Japanese maple was removed to allow the pond and access route to be built. A nearby larch and wild service tree were retained and protected, with root protection measures put in place as part of the method of working.

Tree protection was one of the more important planning constraints on this project. Because the work was taking place in a public open space, close to existing trees, the excavation and access route had to be planned properly rather than worked out as we went.

Excavation, Lining and Filling

The pond was excavated using a 3t excavator, with a power barrow used for moving materials around the site.

Once the shape was formed, the liner system was installed with fleece protection above and below the butyl liner. The pond edges were then shaped and finished so they looked natural rather than overly engineered.

Filling the pond was another logistical challenge. There was no simple water source immediately beside the excavation, so we filled it over three days from a nearby standpipe. It was not complicated work, but it needed managing carefully around the rest of the programme so we could keep the project moving.

Fencing and Access

Because this was a public site, safety was a key part of the design.

We installed a 1.2m high treated softwood picket fence around the pond, with pedestrian access through a gate. The fence gives a clear boundary and helps control access, while still keeping the pond visible and attractive within the space.

A 150mm gap was left beneath the fence to allow hedgehogs and other small wildlife to move safely in and out of the pond area. That kind of detail is easy to miss, but it matters on a wildlife pond. A fence should make the area safer for people without accidentally shutting wildlife out.

We also installed a 7m resin bonded path from the existing tarmac path to the gateway entrance. This was carried out in-house by a member of our team with previous experience in this type of surfacing. The path gives the pond a more finished and accessible entrance, rather than leaving it feeling like a feature set apart from the rest of the public space.

Managing a Public-Facing Project

This was not a quiet private site.

Because the project involved public money and a visible community space, there were strong views locally. Some nearby residents were openly unhappy with the scheme and made their objections known during the works.

Our team managed the on-site communication calmly and kept the work moving without escalating the situation. That is an important part of working in public spaces. You are not just managing excavation, materials and fencing — you are also representing the client while people are watching, asking questions or, in some cases, disagreeing with the project altogether.

We secured the site with Heras fencing throughout the works, brought all our own materials to site using our 18t delivery wagon, and had operatives stay nearby so the work could be completed efficiently. The whole installation was completed in five days from start to finish.