Heathland Mitigation projects

Updated August 2025

Current & planned projects

Project dates Summer 2019 to Spring 2026
Budget £324,780 – funded by Developer contributions

To open up a publicly accessible greenspace on the former 2Riversmeet Leisure Centre golf course for informal recreation, linking Stanpit with the town centre.
To link the greenspace to surrounding greenspaces at Stanpit Recreation Ground, Stanpit Marsh and Ashtree Meadows.
To provide an accessible, all-year-round circular walk with beautiful views over Christchurch Harbour.
To create an attractive recreation area which mitigates recreational pressure on nearby sensitive nature sites including St Catherine’s Hill and Stanpit Marsh. This includes clearing vegetation, installation of a wooden sculpture trail, installation of a drinking fountain, enhancing the space for dogs and dog walkers with a dog dip and providing for signage, seating and interpretation panels.
Improving the site for biodiversity and wildlife with tree planting and the creation of a wildlife pond.

Project dates Summer 2025 (phase A), Summer 2026 (phase B)
Budget £221,825 – funded by Developer contributions

To provide an accessible, all-year-round gateway to the Mudeford Wood green space and provide varied routeways. This includes resurfacing the gravel paths and improving drainage through the woodland.
To improve linkages between green spaces and the coast with a linking path and bridge up to Waterman’s Park (phase B).
To increase Mudeford Woods’ resilience, capacity and attraction and mitigate recreational pressure on nearby sensitive nature sites including St Catherine’s Hill and Stanpit Marsh. This includes clearing vegetation, installation of wooden sculptures, enhancing the space for dogs and dog walkers with a fenced dog training area and a drinking fountain and providing for signage, seating and interpretation panels.
Improving the site for biodiversity and wildlife with tree planting and the creation of a bat hibernaculum from a world war two pillbox on site.

Project start Summer 2026
Budget £135,598 – funded by Developer contributions

To improve accessibility of the site and provide a circular route that can be used all year round. This includes installation of a circular gravel path around the site and improving drainage, linking to site entrances.
To increase Bernard’s Mead’s resilience, capacity and attraction and mitigate recreational pressure on nearby sensitive nature sites including St Catherine’s Hill and Stanpit Marsh. This includes enhancing the space for dogs and dog walkers with a fenced dog training area and improved meadow management and providing for signage, seating and interpretation panels.
Improving the site for biodiversity and wildlife with tree planting and wildflower seed planting on site.

Project start Summer 2026
Budget £46,897 – funded by Developer contributions

To improve accessibility of the site and provide a circular route that can be used all year round. This includes improvements to drainage and paths which link to site entrances.
To increase Bernard’s Mead’s resilience, capacity and attraction and mitigate recreational pressure on nearby sensitive nature sites including St Catherine’s Hill and Stanpit Marsh. This includes enhancing the car park to allow for more parking spaces, the installation of a wooden sculpture and providing for signage, seating and interpretation panels.
To improve site security to protect the site and its wildlife for future generations.

Dorset Heaths