This document provides a visual overview and project summary of the ongoing pond and lake restoration works at Withy Woods in the New Forest. The project has focused heavily on desiltation and ecological restoration across two large pond systems, involving significant planning, environmental management, and specialist operations.
The Withy Woods restoration project has been an extensive and technically challenging operation carried out over a prolonged period. Pond 1 utilised Nicaspan systems with highly successful results, while Pond 2 involved the complete removal of accumulated silt and transportation to a designated silt tip site.
The project has included:
• Fish removal and relocation operations
• Silt surveys and sediment sampling
• Dewatering and controlled excavation
• Access management through heavily constrained woodland
• Work within areas protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
• Permit coordination and environmental compliance
• Temporary haul roads and access improvements
• Restoration and reshaping of pond margins
The site conditions presented major logistical and environmental challenges, providing a significant learning curve for the entire team. Despite the complexity, the works have delivered substantial progress toward restoring the water bodies and improving the long-term ecological condition of the site.
The Withy Woods restoration project remains ongoing, with further ecological enhancement, reinstatement, and finishing works planned. The project continues to serve as a valuable example of large-scale pond restoration under difficult environmental and logistical conditions.
