now for something completely different...

...when some developers purchased a huge Swanage plot with just a single dwelling on it, they expected to make a killing, however they were not a Dorset company and they underestimated the changes and conditions that Purbeck council would make to their plans. The number of new units was reduced, a greater proportion of housing association to privately owned properties was insisted upon, trees were preserved and a large area of green space, together with a pond, were designated to be maintained as a wildlife pond and wildflower meadow. On top of all that, they purchased the plot just as the economy plunged. Even before the last units were constructed, the company went into administration.

The last task that the administrators performed was the seeding of the wildflower garden and the planting of a tree belt. Unfortunately, the contractor that they used did not have experience or knowledge of wildflower meadow creation, so it was disheartening to see them rotovate the ground before seeding. Wildflowers need impoverished soil to prevent vigorous species dominating and to provide the conditions necessary for the rarer and more interesting species to grow.

After the work was done, it was just left because the residents were unable to get control of the management company until the administrators had finished winding up the development company. Needless to say, the dominant species, in particular Picris echiodes was taking over but, on frequent inspections, I was pleased to see that a good number of other species, including a few Dorset notables, were trying to establish themselves. When the residents finally took over the estate at the end of October, I volunteered to take responsibility for the management of both the pond and garden area with a view to nurturing it to the state that the council and the local community envisioned.

Today, the park rangers came in to cut and clear this year's growth. Normally, this would be done in September and the cut material would be allowed to rest for a few days to allow seed and invertebrates to move back down to the under-sward before being removed. All the cut material is being composted on site and will be used to provide continuous mulch for the tree area. Next, I will be tackling the pond! My other plans include plug-planting specific food plants for some of our local butterflies and providing habitat for beetles and slow worms.

So, I have chosen this project as the subject of a periodic blip to show how it develops and changes as it matures. Today's shot is a reference image taken just after the rangers started working this morning...