East Tullos Burn
Wetland Restoration
An integrated plan to build a sustainable, net zero future for the North East of Scotland.
The East Tullos Burn and Wetland are significant features of St Fittick’s Park. As part of the proposed greenfield development, ETZ Ltd has submitted a detailed planning application to realign the burn alongside significant restoration of the wetland.
A recent Greenspace Use Survey seeking local people’s views on St Fittick’s Park demonstrated the importance of the wetland to the local community, particularly its role in supporting local wildlife.
Background
In 2014, an initial phase of work, led by the Aberdeen City Council and delivered by Salix, cbec Eco Engineering and Walking the Talk was undertaken on East Tullos Burn to improve its water quality.
This project involved realignment of an extended section of the burn and the construction of the wetlands and associated planting and footpath/footbridge improvements.
This project has delivered vast improvements in biodiversity and amenity value to the site. Today, water quality issues remain and silt accumulation has since been identified. Vegetative growth is constricting the flow of water in the burn in some places and some areas have become heavily dominated by single plant species.
A full condition report prepared by cbec Eco Engineering on the burn and wetland can be found here.
Burn and Wetland Restoration Plans
Building on from works that have been undertaken to establish the wetlands, ETZ Ltd is partnering with cbec Eco Engineering to develop plans to restore the wetland to enhance its biodiversity.
The animation below, created by cbec Eco Engineering, shows the anticipated regeneration of the wetland based on the proposed works.
Restoration Works
As part of the restoration works, the project will include:
- Realign and extend East Tullos Burn
- Improve the water quality of the burn and address sediment build up
- Improve the habitat and biodiversity of the burn and wetland
- Maintain public path access to the wetlands
Water Quality and Sediment Build up
To improve the water quality in the burn a new settlement pond will be installed upstream of the wetland as shown. This pond will trap the sediment that is in the water which is the main source of water contamination. The sediment can be removed from the pond to limit further build up in the burn and wetland.
Realignment
The burn will be realigned so that it passes through the second wetland pond as shown and runs back into the burn in its current path. It currently bypasses this pond as water flow to this pond has been blocked due to silt build up. The burn's overall course will also be lengthened.
Detailed design proposals by cbec Eco Engineering's have been submitted as part of our latest detailed planning permission proposal.
Biodiversity and Habitat Enhancement
As part of our plans to develop a site within the south-eastern area of St Fittick’s Park we are committed to achieving biodiversity net gain. Biodiversity enhancements will form a key part of our phased programme of greenspace improvements.
Access and Paths
The restoration of the burn and wetland will also include delivery of a range of measures to improve access and paths.
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