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Projects
Here are some examples of the kinds of work we do. Some just involve landscape architecture, ecology or arboriculture. Others involve all three.
Buttermere Recreation Ground
Red Kite supported Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council through the RIBA Plan of Work Stages, to revitalise an existing recreation ground into a community park which was opened in 2024. This included consultation events to understand the wishes of the public, play spaces and path infrastructure being designed mindfully to enable the characteristic existing trees to thrive and utilising the existing landform as a playful viewpoint and deck for the slide.
Ecology
Landscape architecture
Arboriculture
Hope Coppice: Woodland Creation
The vision for a new community woodland in Shirley, Solihull evolved from the Covid-19 pandemic which Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council nurtured to become a legacy for the future. 19no. cherry trees were planted in memory, as cherry blossom was captured by so many on social media during lock down as a symbol of hope. Bespoke decking spans boggy ground to reach an orchard and a Secret Garden with natural play elements, and platforms for forest bathing and socially distanced community gatherings. Everything is crafted in chestnut and installed through low mechanical means as it was fundamental for this memorable space be created in a sustainable way. In partnership with Severn Trent Trust, Phase 2 involved the planting of 15hectares of broadleaf woodland full of glades and rides, and the creation of ‘No. 39 Tiny Woodland’ which adopted the Miyawaki forest planting principle. Hope Coppice was awarded The Green Flag Award in 2024.
Ecology
Landscape architecture
Arboriculture
Stadium Point, Shrewsbury: Off-site Biodiversity Net Gain
Alongside arboricultural and landscape architecture services, Red Kite were appointed by Morris Property Ltd to find a biodiversity net gain for their Stadium Point project in Shrewsbury. Our work involved maximising on-site net gain opportunities and identifying off-site solutions. After locating suitable off-site ecologically low-quality habitat which could be enhanced, Red Kite found a net gain for the project and further parcels of land on Morris Property’s off-site location were found which can be utilised for projects going forward.
The top photograph shows the off-site BNG area and the bottom photo the Stadium Point pre-development.
Ecology
Landscape architecture
Arboriculture
Reedswood Park, Walsall
Reedswood Park gained Green Flag Award status in July 2023, and to further the momentum of initiatives and improvements recently seen at the Park, concept design recommendations and masterplans were established to support the 10 year vision for the development of nature conservation. These realised the Natural Capital of the Park in supporting green recovery; established its role in local climate changed mitigation; with the intention to maximise the ecosystem service potential. All work was grounded on forming a baseline through a PEA, BNG assessment, and a focused site walkover as well as site analysis and landscape appraisal. Safety and engagement of new visitors and a vision to encourage more women and girls to the Park, was articulated in this masterplanning exercise. Green travel routes were reinforced through the Park and recommendations adopted the principles defined in ‘The Five Ways to Wellbeing’ with links to societal mental and physical health through actions relating to the Park’s biodiversity and wildlife. Click here to see Reedswood action plan map.
Ecology
Landscape architecture
Harper Adams Peace Garden environmental assessment
Red Kite were commissioned to carry out an environmental assessment for a new Peace Garden at Harper Adams University. Dean, our Principal Ecologist, attended the site to conduct a fingertip search of the area to allow for a newt fence to be installed, which will prevent the newts re-entering while construction is taking place. He said: “We have been commissioned by Harper Adams University to assist with the construction of a Peace Garden next to the pond, which has known populations of Great Crested Newts, which are a protected species. We are doing the works in a sympathetic way that will ensure that no harm comes to them, and we can maintain the favourable conservation status of the species in this area. The area in front of the pond will be cleared under an ecological watching brief by myself and we’ll be erecting a fence around approximately a 100 square metre area to then prevent newts coming back into the site once the area has been cleared”. Video courtesy of Harper Adams University.
Ecology
Black Country Living Museum: Visitor Welcome
Located in the heart of the Black Country, Red Kite were commissioned by the Black Country Living Museum and Balfour Beatty to design and create a new external gateway as part of an overall £20m Visitor Welcome strategy. Our work included close cooperation with Architects and Engineers from initial concept to completion. The new visitor centre and welcome experience has now successfully opened, and the Black Country Museum has started their new journey to celebrate the heritage of the Black Country.
Ecology
Landscape architecture
Arboriculture
Priory Park, Malvern: Destination Play Space
Working with the local authority, Red Kite were commissioned to create a bespoke vision and detailed design for a new £500k destination play space.
Our design focused on inclusive play inspired by the magnificent setting of the Malvern Hills. Sustainable and natural materials were used to create a customised play space for all. The play space has been a great success and created a new dynamic for visitors to Priory Park and the town of Malvern.
Landscape architecture
The Watermeadows, Towcester: Landscape and Habitat Restoration
Red Kite were originally appointed to create a long term vision for this Grade II Listed Register Park and Garden, which formed part of the historic Easton Neston Estate in Towcester.
Our involvement with the project evolved overtime and included a masterplan, site assessment, historic research, detailed design, interpretation and on site implementation of a new visitor experience and habitat enhancements. As part of our work we also secured over £1m of external funding from a range of sources. The Watermeadows is now enjoyed by a more diverse audience and has added a new dimension to the town of Towcester.
Ecology
Landscape architecture
Nene Park, Peterborough: Your Community Greenspace and Visitor Welcome
Red Kite were delighted to be appointed as the lead consultant to work with Nene Park Trust on their development phase for a £3M National Lottery Heritage Fund project. We worked as an integrated part of the Nene Park Team and our commission included supporting and preparing a full suite of support documentation for the application including; a Conservation Management Plan, Activity Plan, Evaluation Plan, Business Plan and Management and Maintenance Plan. In addition, we also prepared concept design proposals for a new Visitor Welcome gateway. The Development Phase application was warmly received by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the project is now being implemented by the Nene Park Trust.
Landscape architecture
Pump Room Gardens, Royal Leamington Spa: Restoring our Heritage to Health Project
Our commission by Warwick District Council was to provide specialist advice and support to realise the £2.5m restoration of this important Grade II Listed Registered Park and Garden in the heart of Royal Leamington Spa.
Our work, over several years, including preparing successful funding applications, audience development, business planning, project management and management planning. The Pump Rooms Gardens has now been fully restored and achieved a Green Flag Award and Green Heritage Award at the first attempt in 2022.
Landscape architecture
Linacre Road, Chesterfield: Residential Development
Red Kite were appointed by Tilia Homes Ltd to undertake integrated ecology, landscape architecture and arboricultural consultancy to support a planning application of 300 residential units. Our work included protected species and tree surveys to inform potential constraints and to prepared landscape design and Biodiversity Net Gain strategies for the development. The planning application was successful in 2022 and Red Kite are now engaged with the detailed design, species mitigation and assisting with the construction phase of the development.
Ecology
Landscape architecture
Arboriculture
The Grange, Leominster: Masterplan and Vision
Leominster Town Council commissioned Red Kite to prepare an ambitious vision to connect landscape areas around the Priory and Grange. Our work involved extensive historical research, collaboration with local stakeholders and community-based consultation to develop coherent concepts and proposals. The final masterplan linked people and wildlife and established the basis of a £2m project for the rejuvenation of the greenspace including new children’s, play, an upgraded refreshment pavilion, interpretive trails and habitat enhancements.
Ecology
Landscape architecture
Ashford Court, Shropshire: Bat Licence and Mitigation
Ashford Court is located in 15 hectares of parkland and paddocks near Ludlow not far from the River Teme. The mansion house was constructed in the Georgian style in circa 1780 and was latterly extended to include an extension and several out buildings in the 1920s but subsequently declined.
To assist with a planning application, Red Kite were commissioned to support with a preliminary ecological survey and protected species surveys. Our extensive work included the discovery of significant winter and summer bat roosts. Planning permission has now been granted and we successfully applied for European Protected Species licences and implemented on site mitigation with the developer.
Ecology
Wightwick Dental Practice, Tettenhall: Badger Licence and Mitigation
Our client approached Red Kite to assist with ecological advice regarding a badger sett next to their property. It became apparent that the sett excavation was undermining the foundations of an external wall and leading to severe and potentially dangerous damage.
Red Kite undertook extensive surveys using night vison cameras to confirm badger presence and activity. It was quickly established that there was a significant badger population. Red Kite were then commissioned to obtain a licence to disturb the sett and we subsequently led on and oversaw on site mitigation measures. Badgers were temporarily excluded to allow restructural works to be completed, which included the installation of reinforced steel mesh to prevent future digging beneath the building's foundations. Sett entrances which did not impact upon the structural integrity of the building were retained post exclusion and the badger sett continues to be used as a main sett as identified during subsequent monitoring visits.