From waste to wildlife

Kinneil Kerse Landfill site is a 152ha former landfill located on the southern bank of the Firth of Forth in Bo’ness, Scotland. The site was an active landfill between the 1920s and 2000, with large volumes of waste, including hazardous materials, being deposited. After the site stopped accepting waste, a short-term soil treatment facility was in operation. More recently, topsoil and organic waste were processed on-site, producing PAS100 compliant compost. The site was not formally capped and comprised numerous historical stockpiles with low biodiversity value. Significant areas of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) were present, including Giant Hogweed. A small area of the site containing trees and shrubs was used by migratory birds as a key ‘stopping off’ point from their over-wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa. The site is adjacent to the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area (SPA) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Location

  • Scotland - UK

Key statistics

Increase in Biodiversity Habitat Units (*)
+83.7%
Planted across the site (**)
9,598 shrubs
Introduced many aquatic plants (**)
4,445
Planted, comprising of at least eight species (**)
238 trees
Planted, comprising of at least five species (**)
2,610 plants
Grassland meadows created, equivalent to 28 football pitches (**)
18ha

(*) from 86.5 at baseline to 158.8 post-intervention.

(**) between January 2023 - March 2025.

Project overview 

The aim for the scheme was site licence closure following completed restoration works. This would be achieved through the reuse of stockpiled materials present on-site. Falkirk Council (FC) took this opportunity to go beyond delivering the standard capping and landscaping design, embarking on one of the largest replanting schemes undertaken in Scotland to significantly enhance the biodiversity of this important site.

WSP's monitoring and management 

The project was divided into zones to allow for staged restoration. The project ran from 2019 until January 2024, with the maintenance programme for some sections continuing until July 2025 (for four of the zones) and December 2026 for Zone 9. The original outline from SPA to remove and reuse all stockpiles was altered through consultation with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), as doing so would result in the loss of biological features such as ample foraging habitat for birds and an outlier badger sett. Regular monitoring inspections for INNS are ongoing to identify any new stands from dormant wind-blown seeds to allow treatment and eradication. As predicted, a percentage of trees did not survive from the initial plantation; these were highlighted in post-plantation monitoring and replaced with new trees at the end of 2023/beginning of 2024. Some of the ponds were also altered and reshaped at the client's request.

Innovative approaches

Following the completion of the project, WSP prepared a robust verification report detailing all the works completed, including the number of shrubs, hedgerows, trees, and aquatic vegetation planted. This was also monitored through on-site presence during the construction phase to ensure compliance with the requirements of planning permission, the landscape and ecology environmental management plan, the construction environmental management plan, and the Landfill, Closure, Restoration, and Aftercare Plan.

Habitat creation and early successes 

The Statutory Biodiversity Metric calculation tool was utilised to assess Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for the site. The results indicate a very significant enhancement for biodiversity, with an increase of +83.7% in Biodiversity Habitat Units. This exceeds the requirement for achieving a measurable increase (according to NPF4). Due to the interventions and habitat creations undertaken by the project, the habitat units have increased from 86.5 at baseline to 158.8 post-intervention. In addition, 1.92 Hedgerow Units were created on-site, which are calculated separately within the Biodiversity Metric. The restoration works included a huge landscaping scheme comprising the planting of 9,598 shrubs (of at least nine species), 4,445 aquatic plants (in the new ponds), 238 trees (at least eight species), 2,610 hedgerow plants (at least five species), and 18ha of grassland meadows (the equivalent of 28 football pitches). The creation of multiple hibernacula across the site for reptiles and amphibians has encouraged their return, with increased numbers evidenced by the subsequent increased volume of frog sightings and frogspawn in the ponds adjacent to the hibernacula.

Positive outcomes beyond the main site

The project has transformed the landfill site into a safe and environmentally sound area, providing long-term benefits to the surrounding community and ecosystem. The restoration has not only enhanced habitats but also created new opportunities for biodiversity to flourish.

From the outset, WSP demonstrated a deep understanding of the complexities involved, bringing both expertise and innovation to every phase. Their strong relationships with regulatory bodies, including SEPA and Falkirk Council, were instrumental in the project’s success. WSP’s ability to navigate and meet regulatory requirements seamlessly ensured compliance with environmental standards and local regulations. Their proactive communication and collaborative approach made a significant difference, consistently keeping us informed and addressing challenges promptly. The restoration has transformed the landfill site into a safe and environmentally sound area, providing long-term benefits to the community and ecosystem. We are extremely satisfied with the results and would not hesitate to work with WSP on future projects.

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