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This demolition and redevelopment project for housing association Casade is transforming the former Bloemenoord apartment blocks. The new Salviapark development creates a modern residential environment, comprising three contemporary apartment buildings set within a park-like landscape. As part of this project, Unitura carried out a range of ecological works and delivered multiple nature-inclusive provisions.
Our involvement ranged from the initial ecological inspections through to final delivery. We installed temporary roost and nesting provisions and carried out exclusion measures to ensure the existing buildings were free of protected species before demolition. We then developed a detailed roost and nest box plan for the new development. Finally, we supplied and installed all permanent roosting and nesting features for bats and birds.
The project began with a thorough inspection of the three apartment buildings. During this survey, we identified more than fifty roosts used by three different bat species. One of the key findings was the presence of mass hibernation roosts of the common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in all three buildings. As a result, we immediately installed temporary replacement roost provisions in the surrounding area. This ensured that the bats had a suitable alternative roost available before exclusion measures were carried out and the buildings were prepared for demolition.
For the new development, Unitura designed an integrated roost and nest box plan based on the requirements set out in Arcadis’ Species Management Plan (SMP). The plan defined the exact locations and types of wildlife provisions for each building. The result is impressive. In total, Unitura delivered no fewer than 116 new nesting and roosting features. These included 12 bespoke prefabricated mass hibernation roosts for bats. In addition, we installed maternity roost features, swift boxes and house sparrow nest boxes to create a diverse and resilient habitat for building-dwelling species.
A well-designed roost and nest box plan forms the foundation of every successful nature-inclusive development project. Unitura regularly prepares these plans on behalf of ecological consultancies. Our expertise in both product development and building design makes us a valuable partner for complex ecological and technical challenges. We are always happy to collaborate on identifying the most effective and practical solutions for your project.
Unitura’s involvement does not end once the roost features have been installed. Over the coming years, we will remain involved in monitoring the bat roosts. During these inspections, we assess how the roost features are being used by the bats in practice. This allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of the installed provisions and gain valuable insights into their long-term performance.
Today, Salviapark stands as a leading example of nature-inclusive regeneration in the province of North Brabant. Thanks to the early collaboration between Casade, Arcadis and Unitura, the ecological measures have been fully integrated into the development, forming an integral part of the new residential neighbourhood.
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