Anglia Ruskin University

Chelmsford

Our Rivermead campus is adjacent to the River Chelmer, an exclusively Essex river with a variety of wildlife.

Close to the Michael Ashcroft Building the Bishop Hall millpond, a site linked back to the Doomsday Book, had deteriorated badly with little open water remaining and vegetation almost obscuring the site.

Extensive surveys reported that the ecological value of the site was very low, species poor, an inferior quality habitat. Fish species recovered from the pond included Roach, Perch, Pike, Eel, Chub, Gudgeon. Interestingly Bullheads, which need shallow stony streams and cool oxygen-rich water were found, together with Stone Loaches, more commonly associated with faster, clear flowing water with gravel and sandy bottoms. This suggests that perhaps the mill-race was once a shallow but fast flowing river when the mill was in operation.

New planting in and around the refurbished millpond will establish over time and create important habitats and ecological niches for amphibians, fish and invertebrates, encouraging species accumulation. Being adjacent to rough grassland and channel corridors improves foraging for the amphibians thus enhancing the wildlife amenity value.

Cambridge

Our Cambridge campus is currently under redevelopment however we are developing a biodiversity action plan for both campuses to encourage, enhance and maintain all forms of biological diversity at Anglia Ruskin University.