The Beth Chatto team have recently completed an exciting project in the heart of Colchester. As part of their Fixing the Link initiative, Colchester City Council asked us to design a planting scheme for the Albert roundabout, a prominent feature found along the walk from the train station into the city.
Fixing the Link
The Fixing the Link initiative, initially inspired by Colchester's historical ties to elephants, includes public art and wayfinding improvements along the one-mile route from Colchester train station to the city centre. The project not only aims to make the city more attractive but also encourages people to walk from the train station to the city centre more often.
Interpretation board to be added near the roundabout
Sand planting
The topsoil from the roundabout was replaced with sand sourced from a local quarry, which ensures no weed seeds are introduced whilst also providing a low nutrient substrate for planting into for good root establishment and long-term health of the plants.
The specially designed drought-tolerant planting will require minimal watering and maintenance, helping to keep long-term costs down. Plants have also been carefully chosen for their benefit to wildlife. Additionally, habitat mounds will be created on the roundabout to encourage a variety of insects to make their home.
The design, using sand as a substrate, is similar to the Chattowood scheme implemented by the team on our neighbouring housing development which has been in place since April 2022.
Chattowood- June 2024
The removed topsoil has been relocated to the new Meanwhile Garden at Firstsite which, with no cost to the community, has also been designed and planted by the Beth Chatto team this year.
Find out more- Meanwhile Garden
Right plant, right place
Approximately 2800 plants from 60 different genera have been planted, and all have been chosen to suit the free draining, poor nutrient substrate, as well as year-round interest, low maintenance needs and benefit to wildlife.
Habitat mounds
In a bid to encourage as many insects to feed, breed and shelter on the site, we have also included eight circular habitat mounds as part of the design. Crushed reclaimed building waste has been used for the mounds to increase nesting opportunities for a wide range of visiting insects. We are happy to report that since construction, the sand and rubble at Chattowood and the Meanwhile Garden have provided the perfect nesting sites for a whole host of insects which we hope to replicate on the roundabout.
A habitat mound on the roundabout
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