North Wyke Research proposed to install drainage works on 15 individual catchment blocks with the aim of providing a new farm platform experimental facility for the study of interactions among environmental processes, in lowland temperate grassland agricultural systems. 

The works were to include:

• Trenching of all the proposed drains, open ditches and sealed pipes
• Installation of pipes into the drain and sealed pipe trenches 
• Back filling the drain trenches with gravel and back filling the sealed pipes with previously removed soil.
• Installation of flumes and monitoring equipment
• Laying of hard standings
• Laying of agricultural access tracks
• Erection of post and wire fencing on the field side of the new drains

JBA's Environmental Report identified, evaluated and assessed the potential impacts of the proposed North Wyke Research works on the local archaeology and cultural heritage; ecology and nature conservation; soils; water resources and flood risk; and traffic and accessibility. 

Environmental baseline data, for all identified receptors, was collected from desk-based studies, consultation and field surveys. The impact of the proposed works on each identified receptor, along with the significance of the impacts, was then assessed. Where possible, in keeping with the project aims, mitigation measures were proposed to ensure that significance of the impact was removed or reduced.