Restoring Wetland Landscapes

Restoring Wetland Landscapes

Restoring Wetland Landscapes
9 October 2025

The Lost Wetlands Nature Recovery Project (NRP) is transforming the wetland landscape of northern Cheshire and southern Greater Manchester.

Once a network of interconnected ponds, mosses, and wet woodlands, much of this historic wetland was drained over centuries for agriculture and urban development. The NRP aims to restore and rewet these habitats, creating a thriving, resilient landscape that benefits biodiversity, water management, and local communities.

We worked closely with Natural England, the National Trust, Trafford Council, and City of Trees, alongside other partners, on two linked pieces of work: regional mapping of historic and current ponds to identify restoration opportunities and site-scale wetland design at William Wroe Meadows, a former golf course now protected as a community greenspace.


Mapping the Lost Wetlands

Historically, the project area supported thousands of ponds, which provided vital refuges and corridors for wildlife. Over time, industrialisation, urbanisation, and agricultural intensification led to the loss and fragmentation of these habitats. We conducted a comprehensive mapping and analysis of 73,000 hectares using historic maps, aerial imagery, LiDAR data, and OS datasets. The team identified over 13,000 pond features, including lost and potential ponds, sometimes called ‘ghost ponds’, which could be restored to revive lost seedbanks and re-establish wetland biodiversity.

Pond Opportunity Mapping

Flow Accumulation SCALGO Mapping


Wetland Design at William Wroe Meadows

The former William Wroe Golf Course in Flixton has been identified for wetland restoration. Working with drainage engineers, we developed a masterplan based on the site’s hydrology, ecology, and infrastructure. The design introduces wet woodlands, reedbeds, ephemeral pools, grassland, scrub, and deadwood habitats, alongside paths and boardwalks for community access. Developed in collaboration with local stakeholders through workshops, surveys, and volunteer days, the plan supports species such as the declining Willow Tit while also reducing flood risk, improving water quality, and providing a valuable space for community use, education, and long-term stewardship.

Strategy Diagram


A Model for Nature Recovery

The Lost Wetlands project showcases best practice in evidence-led wetland restoration, combining regional assessment, site-specific design, hydrological analysis, and community engagement. The outputs are now being used to guide restoration across Cheshire and Greater Manchester, forming part of a wider strategy to reverse biodiversity loss, improve climate resilience, and reconnect people with nature.

We’re proud to play a part in this ambitious initiative and even prouder that it’s been shortlisted for the Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Enhancement Award at this year’s Landscape Institute Awards. The winners will be announced in London on 14th November, watch this space!

Wetland layout and network diagram

12 June 2026
On behalf of Cheshire East Council, TEP has secured consent for the expansion of the Environmental Services Hub site. The expansion will facilitate a weekly food waste collection service for every property in the borough, helping Cheshire East Council prepare for a new statutory requirement from central government due to come into force from 2026-2027. To achieve this, we prepared and managed three planning applications: A full application for 84 new employee parking spaces, a bin storage area and a security lodge; A non-material amendment application for the reconfiguration of the existing site layout; and A variation of condition application to increase the limit on vehicle movements. The project began with a pre-application advice request, followed by discussions with the local planning authority to confirm the applications and supporting information required for submission. A key element of the project was the preparation of a planning needs case. This justified the development remaining at the Environmental Services Hub site, rather than a 'preferred site' identified within the council's Waste Plan. The case also identified the benefits of increasing recycling rates and supporting sustainable waste management across the borough. To support the applications, traffic surveys were commissioned and a Transport Statement was prepared, demonstrating that the proposals would have no negative impact on the local highway network. A Transport Note was also produced to establish the number of vehicle movements that should be permitted through the variation of condition application. Air quality and noise assessments were also undertaken to demonstrate that impacts would be limited and acceptable. 
10 June 2026
Plans for Brookleigh Primary School have received unanimous planning approval at Mid Sussex District Council's District Planning Committee on 28th May 2026. The new school, located to the east of Isaacs Lane, will provide 420 student places, alongside a 52-place nursery and a 16-place Special Support Centre. As a two-form entry school, it will support two classes per year group. This marks a proud first for Homes England as master developer, directly delivering new school places for the Brookleigh community. TEP worked in partnership with the wider project team, including CampbellReith, sixfootstudio, Fabrik, FLOH and Stace, to help bring the proposals forward. Supporting the Delivery of a New School TEP's Planning team co-ordinated the preparation of the reserved matters application, including pre-application discussions and community consultation, while our Ecology team completed site surveys and advised on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). A key part of our role was ensuring that local people and stakeholders had opportunities to engage with the proposals as they developed. In preparation for the application submission, we organised public consultation events and prepared consultation materials explaining the scheme, masterplan, access strategy, landscaping, and the proposed layout and appearance of the school. Two public exhibitions were held at an accessible venue close to the site, providing an opportunity for the local community to discuss the proposals, ask questions and share feedback. We also organised an information leaflet drop to approximately 4,000 homes and established an online consultation portal to enable people to engage digitally. The feedback received was largely positive, reflecting both the demand for new school places and the work undertaken by the project team to develop a modern, sustainable design for the Brookleigh community.
27 May 2026
We have been proud to support the regeneration of the Grade II Listed Earlestown Town Hall, one of the most historically and visually significant buildings in the town centre. Dating from the late 19th century, the Flemish-inspired civic building occupies a commanding position within Earlestown and has long served as a local landmark and community venue. Over the years, the Town Hall has played host to generations of local events and performances, including an appearance by The Beatles during the early years of their rise to fame. Commissioned by ECF, we provided heritage and archaeology consultancy services to support the redevelopment and restoration of the building as part of wider regeneration ambitions for Earlestown town centre. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, we offered heritage advice throughout the pre-application stage, helping to shape proposals that would be sympathetic to the building’s historic character while enabling it to meet modern community needs.
12 June 2026
On behalf of Cheshire East Council, TEP has secured consent for the expansion of the Environmental Services Hub site. The expansion will facilitate a weekly food waste collection service for every property in the borough, helping Cheshire East Council prepare for a new statutory requirement from central government due to come into force from 2026-2027. To achieve this, we prepared and managed three planning applications: A full application for 84 new employee parking spaces, a bin storage area and a security lodge; A non-material amendment application for the reconfiguration of the existing site layout; and A variation of condition application to increase the limit on vehicle movements. The project began with a pre-application advice request, followed by discussions with the local planning authority to confirm the applications and supporting information required for submission. A key element of the project was the preparation of a planning needs case. This justified the development remaining at the Environmental Services Hub site, rather than a 'preferred site' identified within the council's Waste Plan. The case also identified the benefits of increasing recycling rates and supporting sustainable waste management across the borough. To support the applications, traffic surveys were commissioned and a Transport Statement was prepared, demonstrating that the proposals would have no negative impact on the local highway network. A Transport Note was also produced to establish the number of vehicle movements that should be permitted through the variation of condition application. Air quality and noise assessments were also undertaken to demonstrate that impacts would be limited and acceptable. 
10 June 2026
Plans for Brookleigh Primary School have received unanimous planning approval at Mid Sussex District Council's District Planning Committee on 28th May 2026. The new school, located to the east of Isaacs Lane, will provide 420 student places, alongside a 52-place nursery and a 16-place Special Support Centre. As a two-form entry school, it will support two classes per year group. This marks a proud first for Homes England as master developer, directly delivering new school places for the Brookleigh community. TEP worked in partnership with the wider project team, including CampbellReith, sixfootstudio, Fabrik, FLOH and Stace, to help bring the proposals forward. Supporting the Delivery of a New School TEP's Planning team co-ordinated the preparation of the reserved matters application, including pre-application discussions and community consultation, while our Ecology team completed site surveys and advised on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). A key part of our role was ensuring that local people and stakeholders had opportunities to engage with the proposals as they developed. In preparation for the application submission, we organised public consultation events and prepared consultation materials explaining the scheme, masterplan, access strategy, landscaping, and the proposed layout and appearance of the school. Two public exhibitions were held at an accessible venue close to the site, providing an opportunity for the local community to discuss the proposals, ask questions and share feedback. We also organised an information leaflet drop to approximately 4,000 homes and established an online consultation portal to enable people to engage digitally. The feedback received was largely positive, reflecting both the demand for new school places and the work undertaken by the project team to develop a modern, sustainable design for the Brookleigh community.
12 June 2026
On behalf of Cheshire East Council, TEP has secured consent for the expansion of the Environmental Services Hub site. The expansion will facilitate a weekly food waste collection service for every property in the borough, helping Cheshire East Council prepare for a new statutory requirement from central government due to come into force from 2026-2027. To achieve this, we prepared and managed three planning applications: A full application for 84 new employee parking spaces, a bin storage area and a security lodge; A non-material amendment application for the reconfiguration of the existing site layout; and A variation of condition application to increase the limit on vehicle movements. The project began with a pre-application advice request, followed by discussions with the local planning authority to confirm the applications and supporting information required for submission. A key element of the project was the preparation of a planning needs case. This justified the development remaining at the Environmental Services Hub site, rather than a 'preferred site' identified within the council's Waste Plan. The case also identified the benefits of increasing recycling rates and supporting sustainable waste management across the borough. To support the applications, traffic surveys were commissioned and a Transport Statement was prepared, demonstrating that the proposals would have no negative impact on the local highway network. A Transport Note was also produced to establish the number of vehicle movements that should be permitted through the variation of condition application. Air quality and noise assessments were also undertaken to demonstrate that impacts would be limited and acceptable. 
10 June 2026
Plans for Brookleigh Primary School have received unanimous planning approval at Mid Sussex District Council's District Planning Committee on 28th May 2026. The new school, located to the east of Isaacs Lane, will provide 420 student places, alongside a 52-place nursery and a 16-place Special Support Centre. As a two-form entry school, it will support two classes per year group. This marks a proud first for Homes England as master developer, directly delivering new school places for the Brookleigh community. TEP worked in partnership with the wider project team, including CampbellReith, sixfootstudio, Fabrik, FLOH and Stace, to help bring the proposals forward. Supporting the Delivery of a New School TEP's Planning team co-ordinated the preparation of the reserved matters application, including pre-application discussions and community consultation, while our Ecology team completed site surveys and advised on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). A key part of our role was ensuring that local people and stakeholders had opportunities to engage with the proposals as they developed. In preparation for the application submission, we organised public consultation events and prepared consultation materials explaining the scheme, masterplan, access strategy, landscaping, and the proposed layout and appearance of the school. Two public exhibitions were held at an accessible venue close to the site, providing an opportunity for the local community to discuss the proposals, ask questions and share feedback. We also organised an information leaflet drop to approximately 4,000 homes and established an online consultation portal to enable people to engage digitally. The feedback received was largely positive, reflecting both the demand for new school places and the work undertaken by the project team to develop a modern, sustainable design for the Brookleigh community.
27 May 2026
We have been proud to support the regeneration of the Grade II Listed Earlestown Town Hall, one of the most historically and visually significant buildings in the town centre. Dating from the late 19th century, the Flemish-inspired civic building occupies a commanding position within Earlestown and has long served as a local landmark and community venue. Over the years, the Town Hall has played host to generations of local events and performances, including an appearance by The Beatles during the early years of their rise to fame. Commissioned by ECF, we provided heritage and archaeology consultancy services to support the redevelopment and restoration of the building as part of wider regeneration ambitions for Earlestown town centre. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, we offered heritage advice throughout the pre-application stage, helping to shape proposals that would be sympathetic to the building’s historic character while enabling it to meet modern community needs.