Turbary Common – Mire Restoration & Reedbed Refurbishment

FiveRivers is wrapping up works on site in Dorset working for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, delivering mire restoration.

This very important Heathland Mire, Turbary Common, is slowly changing into a fen habitat and a large reedbed has established within the Valley bottom. Our works focussed on restoring the Mire and Wet Heath habitat on site.

The project funded by Wessex Water, is being run in partnership with Wessex Water and Natural England, along with BCP Council. Following a five-week programme, FiveRivers have delivered the relocation of surface water and landfill pipe discharge, removal and relocation of a reedbed and the creation of a 170m channel connecting to the newly refurbished reedbed where the water will be filtered and cleaned.

Working closely with BCP Council and engaging with local residents, we successfully delivered this mire restoration project, aimed at maintaining water quality and ensuring the mire remains a biodiversity hotspot.

Mires are incredibly important habitats, providing multi ecosystems benefits such as carbon sequestration, water regulation and water quality, as well as providing a recreational area to enjoy activities such as birdwatching. The UK has 75% of the valley mires in North-Western Europe, found in The New Forest National Park.