Project Spotlight: Salisbury Plain

Client: Knights Brown Construction

Location: Salisbury Plain

Date: 2025

Project Type: Grassland Restoration & Ecological Mitigation Works

Services Delivered:

 • Tree and shrub clearance

 • Scrub and bramble management

 • Environmentally sensitive vegetation control

 • Biomass processing and removal

GroundLord Ltd was appointed by Knights Brown Construction as a specialist subcontractor to deliver critical vegetation clearance works as part of a wider grassland restoration and ecological mitigation programme on Salisbury Plain. The works formed a key enabling package within a larger infrastructure project and required rapid mobilisation, technical precision and absolute compliance within a highly sensitive chalk grassland environment.

The Challenge

The site required comprehensive intervention to address unmanaged vegetation and arboricultural risks, while supporting a wider operational and development programme. The client needed absolute confidence that works would be delivered safely, compliantly and without programme disruption.

Key challenges included:

• Extensive and mature vegetation requiring specialist plant and skilled operatives

• Environmental and ecological sensitivities demanding informed, responsible decision‑making

• A fixed programme with zero tolerance for delay

GroundLord was selected for its proven ability to deliver complex land management projects at scale, backed by industry-leading credentials and a reputation for dependable performance.

Our Solution

Partnership & Rapid Mobilisation

GroundLord worked in close partnership with Knights Brown, engaging early to understand programme drivers, site constraints and ecological objectives. Our team mobilised rapidly, aligning resources and methodology to support the wider mitigation works without disruption.

Precision Delivery in a Sensitive Environment

Vegetation clearance was undertaken using a combination of skilled operatives and specialist machinery to ensure efficient removal while maintaining environmental control.

The scope included:

 • Felling and removal of trees and shrubs across approximately 5,800m²

 • Chipping and full removal of all arisings from site

 • Cutting all stumps as close to ground level as practicable and treating to prevent re-growth

 • Mulching bramble and scrub below 1m in situ to protect soil structure

All works were delivered in line with detailed RAMS, industry best practice and environmental controls, ensuring safe and compliant execution throughout.

Safety Without Compromise

Operating within a live training estate, safety and governance were paramount. GroundLord’s accredited systems,

experienced supervision and disciplined site controls ensured full compliance with Knights Brown’s requirements at all times.

Results

GroundLord mobilised quickly and integrated seamlessly with the principal contractor’s site team, ensuring the works were completed efficiently and in full alignment with the agreed programme, with no impact on follow-on activities.

Approximately 5,800m² of tree, shrub and scrub clearance was completed in accordance with the ecological and environmental requirements of the chalk grassland restoration area.

All works were carried out in line with approved RAMS and site controls, achieving full compliance throughout the delivery period and maintaining a strong safety record with zero incidents.

Clear communication and close collaboration with Knights Brown were maintained at all stages, allowing progress to be monitored effectively and any site considerations to be addressed proactively. This approach ensured programme certainty, supported the wider mitigation strategy and reinforced a positive, professional working relationship between all parties.

GroundLord’s performance on this project further strengthened its reputation as a trusted delivery partner for complex, time-critical vegetation management works, particularly within sensitive and highly regulated environments.

Why Groundlord

A dependable delivery partner for complex, time-critical vegetation management works

GroundLord Ltd is trusted by principal contractors and public-sector clients to deliver specialist vegetation, arboricultural and land management packages where programme certainty, safety and environmental compliance are non-negotiable.

Proven Partner to Principal Contractors

We work collaboratively alongside Tier 1 contractors, integrating seamlessly with site teams, reporting structures and delivery programmes. Our approach supports the wider project objectives — not just our own scope — ensuring mitigation and enabling works are delivered without delay or disruption.

Rapid Mobilisation & Programme Certainty

GroundLord is structured to respond quickly. We mobilise skilled teams, specialist plant and approved RAMS at pace, allowing critical works to be delivered within tight and often fixed timeframes — even in constrained or sensitive environments.

Environmental & Ecological Awareness

We have extensive experience working on ecologically sensitive sites, including chalk grassland, SSSIs, MOD estates and mitigation schemes. Our methods are designed to achieve the required outcomes while protecting soil structure, surrounding habitats and long-term land value.

Safety-Led, Compliance-Driven

Health, safety and governance underpin everything we do. Our accredited management systems, experienced supervision and disciplined site controls provide assurance to principal contractors and end clients alike that works will be delivered safely, compliantly and professionally.

Specialist Capability & Modern Plant

We invest heavily in industry-leading plant and equipment, enabling efficient, low-impact delivery at scale. This reduces programme durations, enhances safety and ensures consistency of output across complex sites.

A Workforce You Can Rely On

All works are delivered by GroundLord’s highly trained workforce. Our teams are experienced, professional and accountable — bringing pride, attention to detail and reliability to every project.