Chat Moss, Foresters Field, Peatland Restoration, Manchester

Foresters Field, was previously an agricultural area (most recently utilised for horticultural turf), was once a part of the expansive Chat Moss lowland raised bog complex. However, various land uses have fragmented the broader peat mass and altered the natural hydrology of the site. Extensive drainage, peat extraction and previous ploughing have been significant contributors, necessitating a comprehensive and delicate approach to peatland management.

Deep Trench Bunding: this involved digging trenches beneath the level of water loss and backfilling them with compacted peat, creating a barrier to prevent water loss. The planning and placement of these bunds are essential for managing the site’s hydrology, ensuring their effectiveness across the differing topography of the field.

Construction of bunds: Bunds were constructed to retain water effectively where needed whilst blending seamlessly into the landscape in the areas of the site which are higher.

Creation of shallow scrapes: The additional material from the creation of the bunds was sourced from within the site from the utilisation of shallow scrapes. This approach minimised ecological disruption while guaranteeing the use of appropriate-quality peat for the bunds. The selection of borrow pits and their location was coordinated with Natural England.

Strategic installation of boundary ditches: These were installed to mitigate the risk of flooding, particularly concerning neighbouring properties. These ditches effectively contained excess water on-site and facilitated the controlled off-site, water flow, ensuring that the project’s hydrological interventions had no adverse impact on the surrounding community.

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