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The Essex Naturalist
Forest. Various discussions took place as to what landscaping was required, and
local advise was sought in relation to the value of the area to wild-life including
birds and plants. It was acknowledged that the atea had already developed into a
diverse, interesting and even attractive area, with some species of wild-flowers
which, though they might not be particularly rare, should be preserved if
possible. It was decided not to put topsoil onto the road and trackways, because
even these had their distinctive flora, including mosses and lichens.
In late September 1993, work started on the 8.5 acre site, with much earth
moving machinery in use during the operation. However, a significant amount
of care was taken by all concerned that as little damage be done to the site other
than was necessary to comply with the final recommendations. The material
used for the landscaping as both subsoil and topsoil was a slightly acidic sandy
gravel with many pebbles.
The work was completed in late October, and those areas where the soil had
been disturbed or new soil laid (mostly comprising Areas 2 and 3 in Fig. 1) were
sown with grass seed which consisted of Festuca filiformis, F. ovina, F. rubra,
Cynosurus cristatus, Agrostis capillaris and A. canina. Though the old fence
between the area and Wanstead Park was removed, the associated embankment
was maintained and chestnut paling fences were temporarily erected to protect
the newly grassed areas. Also retained was a wire fence with three stiles which
the Borough of Redbridge had erected some years previously to delineate their
field, though these were removed later in 1994.
It was intended to start similar work on the 11.5 acre site ("The Wilderness")
early in 1994, but access was required for vehicles and personnel to work on the
National Grid power-lines that cross the area. This access was obtained by way
of Redbridge's tarmac road, but as a lot of vehicular movement of heavy material
was required a lovely, almost country-like, grass track was widened and had
hard-core laid down. Even in 1997 this had not recovered its old aspect and in
places was treacherous to walk upon. The compacted track at the top of the
river bank on which grew an attractive and interesting variety of plants was
similarly dealt with, and even what seems some quite unnecessary use was made
of grassland areas for vehicles. Near the southern end of the old sewage works,
by a pylon, a number of silver birch Betula pendula were either cut down or
lopped, though by 1997 these have recovered well. Pylon work was still
continuing in June 1994, when the paling fences were taken down on the 8.5
acre site, and an access route was laid across the field so that renovation work
could begin on the rest of the site.
This work was similar in nature to that which had occurred on the 8.5 acre
site. Area 4, (Fig. 1) adjacent to Redbridge's field was mostly left alone, whereas
the northern half of the land to the east was landscaped; this is shown as Area 5
in Fig. 1. This consisted mainly of laying a top covering of a sandy pebble-gravel
over existing soil. The southern end of the site was mostly undisturbed. The old
sludge lagoon that had comprised much of the southern part of the old