United Utilities creates new woodland habitat in Leigh

United Utilities has completed a project in Leigh to improve biodiversity around its wastewater treatment works in the town. 

The North West’s water company has delivered a biodiversity project in Leigh to transform non-operational land into valuable woodland habitat.

The scheme has delivered enhancements to existing woodland and created new woodland on site through the planting of 2,000 native trees and shrubs as well as the installation of floating reed beds - all aimed at creating an ideal environment for the endangered willow tit.

The company has worked with the Lowther Forestry Group to deliver improvements at Hope Carr Nature Reserve in Leigh, which has also benefitted from input from the Environment Agency, Natural England and Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

The willow tit is one of the UK’s most threatened resident bird species and has seen significant reductions in populations in the past 30 years, largely due to habitat loss and predation. The willow tit thrives in wet, scrubby woodland with decaying wood for nesting, and requires connected patches of habitat.

United Utilities’ project at Leigh has focussed on improving this habitat for the willow tit - as well as planting 2,000 trees and native shrubs, invasive Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed have been treated, and a range of woodland management techniques have been utilised to deliver biodiversity enhancements. 

Leigh is a key area for willow tit conservation and this project aims to complement other projects being delivered across the Greater Manchester Wetlands network and Wigan Flashes by Lancashire Wildlife Trust by creating and connecting suitable habitats to support willow tit recovery.

Mark Sewell, Wastewater Catchment Manager at United Utilities, said: “We’re really proud to have been able to deliver this scheme in Leigh.  We want to create a greener North West and improving biodiversity at our sites is one way we can help deliver this.  The improvements we have made will not only create a great habitat for the endangered willow tit but also other wildlife.”

It comes as United Utilities embarks on the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure for a century.  The company will be spending more than £13bn over the next five years to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.