Poole explores green development options

Ramboll has been tasked with helping commissioners decide on several key development options that include a new marina and a new facility for servicing windfarms.

To explore the options fully, Ramboll will be conducting a full environmental impact assessment which will involve port planners, transport planners, environmental scientists, archaeologists and specialists in ecology. They will be looking at contaminated land, transportation, ecology, water, noise and air quality issues.

Rachel Holloway, Principal Environmental Scientist at Ramboll, said to GreenPort: “This EIA is part of the port’s environmental masterplan process and it is expected to take a year. It also has to be completed as part of the legislative process before any developmental work can be considered.”

The port’s masterplan aims to guide the port in terms of its development over the next thirty years and secure the future of the port and harbour. It is currently in draft format and is due to be published later this year.

Poole Harbour is recognised under numerous national and international designations for its ecological importance. The site is of importance for its range of estuarine habitats, which include intertidal mudflats, saltmarsh, swamp and fen habitats.

Ramboll works with port authorities across Europe on environmental planning and engineering issues.