ENVIRONMENT

WESTLAKES CAR SHARE SCHEME

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During the two phases of the Park expansion from 2000 onwards, to compliment the mature woodland around Ingwell Hall, over 74,000 trees and 50,000 shrubs were planted, along with pond plants, wild flowers and bulbs.   Also as part of our Environmental Policy work was providing nearly three miles of footpaths and cycle ways to link the various plots and buildings on the Park to encourage more employees to cycle or walk.  

A woodland management scheme is in place to care for the mature woodland on the Park.  The initial work enhanced the existing woodland areas by thinning out dead trees and removing brambles etc. and re-established overgrown woodland footpaths by re-surfacing with bark taken from felled trees where necessary.   Tree stumps and dead wood piles have been left where appropriate to encourage further wildlife as these provide a natural and valuable habitat or food source for nesting birds and invertebrates.

The existing Park landscape is made up of woodland and ponds that have attracted numerous varieties of wildlife.   There are various species of birds, rabbits and hedgehogs and even red squirrels have been sighted.   The main pond at the Park entrance is stocked with grass carp. Bird and bat boxes have been provided to help supplement their habitat, especially whilst the new planting is maturing.

The pond areas are beautiful at all times of the year and between spring and summer the daffodils, rhododendrons, irises and pond lilies add an amazing array of colour.   These also attract their share of wildlife such as frogs, toads, moor hens, ducks, heron, swans and dragon flies to name but a few.

'200 YEARS AND STILL GROWING STRONG'

Prior to the Park expansion works, an archaeological survey was carried out on the new land and a mature oak tree, inset in a bank on the site boundary, provoked particular interest.   A tree expert from the tree preservation department at Copeland Borough Council was called in to inspect the specimen and was able to confirm that this particular oak tree was at least 200 years old!

It is in a healthy condition and with care it can be expected to live another 100 years. To ensure this, the tree was fenced off whilst the new building plots were developed.   The necessary excavation work being carried out was some distance from the tree and did not disturb the old oak's roots.

It is amazing to think that this tree was starting to grow at the same time as that celebrated Cumbrian, John Dalton, was starting to unravel the secrets of the atom way back at the start of the 19th Century.