Beech Copse

Wood, Forest in Hampshire Winchester

England

Beech Copse

Farm buildings at Street End Credit: David Martin

Beech Copse is a picturesque woodland located in Hampshire, England. Situated within the beautiful countryside, this forest is a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers alike. Covering an area of approximately 50 acres, Beech Copse is characterized by its dense growth of beech trees, creating a stunning canopy that provides shade and shelter to a variety of flora and fauna.

The forest is easily accessible, with well-maintained footpaths that meander through the woodland, allowing visitors to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the area. As one walks through Beech Copse, the air is filled with the earthy scent of moss and leaves, enhancing the immersive experience.

The forest floor is adorned with a carpet of wildflowers, including bluebells, wood anemones, and primroses, which add vibrant pops of color to the woodland. These floral displays attract a wealth of wildlife, including butterflies, bees, and birds, making Beech Copse a prime location for birdwatching and insect spotting.

The diversity of habitats within Beech Copse ensures a rich biodiversity. Numerous species of mammals, such as deer, foxes, and badgers, call this woodland home. Additionally, the forest is also home to a variety of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and warblers.

Beech Copse is a tranquil oasis where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in the serene beauty of nature. Whether it be for a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or wildlife observation, this enchanting forest offers a peaceful retreat for all who visit.

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Beech Copse Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.981238/-1.1932763 or Grid Reference SU5620. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Farm buildings at Street End

David Martin

Field at Street End

With a distant misty view of Fawley Refinery.

David Martin

Field edge path at Street End

David Martin

Path downhill towards Oatfield Bungalow

David Martin

Path across field above Oatfield Bungalow

David Martin

Esso pipeline moling compounds at Bigpath Lane

Aerial. In centre, two rectangular fenced compounds put up where the new pipeline will cross Bigpath Lane. These compounds are to facilitate use of a moling machine to carry the pipeline beneath the road. Part of another pair is seen at top right.

Peter Facey

Esso pipeline moling compounds at Stakes Lane

Aerial. Two rectangular fenced compounds put up where the new pipeline will cross the C88 Stakes Lane. These compounds are to facilitate use of a moling machine to carry the pipeline beneath the road.

Peter Facey

Esso pipeline moling compounds at Bigpath Lane

A ground level view of the compound seen in aerial view at Link .

Peter Facey

Esso pipeline moling compounds at Bigpath Lane

A ground level view of the compounds seen in aerial view at Link .

Peter Facey

Esso pipeline moling compounds on Stakes Lane

A ground level view of the compounds seen in aerial view at Link .

Peter Facey

Investigations by Headland Archaeology beside Bigpath Lane

Headland Archaeology ( Link

) had been contracted by Taylor Woodrow to carry out archaeological surveys along the route of the pipeline, as required by its planning consent.

Peter Facey

Pipe beneath Stakes Lane

Where Stakes Lane (C88) is crossed by Bigpath Lane. There is quite a large excavation here, as illustrated by the galvansied metal steps leading down to it. A single steel pipe has been inserted through the chalk beneath the road. Unfortunately, I did not catch the machine that did this insertion, but presumably it occupies most of the trench in the foreground. One method is to drill a hole slightly larger than the pipe diameter, and then insert the pipe, allowing the soil (or in this case chalk) to settle back onto the pipe. Alternatively, you can fit some kind of spike onto the front of a pipe and then force it hydraulically through the soil. In this case I would have thought the chalk would be too rigid for the latter technique. In either case it is important not to scrape the anti-corrosion coating of the steel pipe. Esso had stated that they intended to use auger boring in this case (video Link

), and they subsequently confirmed that this technique was used. For the other side see Link .

Peter Facey

Pipe beneath Stakes Lane

Where Stakes Lane (C88) is crossed by Bigpath Lane. This is the other side of Link . There is quite a large excavation here. A single steel pipe has been inserted through the chalk beneath the road. Unfortunately, I did not catch the machine that did this insertion, but presumably it occupies most of the trench in the foreground. One method is to drill a hole slightly larger than the pipe diameter, and then insert the pipe, allowing the soil (or in this case chalk) to settle back onto the pipe. Alternatively, you can fit some kind of spike onto the front of a pipe and then force it hydraulically through the soil. In this case I would have thought the chalk would be too rigid for the latter technique. In either case it is important not to scrape the anti-corrosion coating of the steel pipe. Esso subsequently confirmed that auger boring was used here.

Peter Facey

View towards Bigpath Farm

David Martin

Southampton to London Pipeline Project

In October 2020 Esso Petroleum Company obtained the Southampton to London Pipeline Development Consent Order 2020, permitting them to constuct a new fuel pipeline of diameter 330 mm from Boorley Green to the West London Terminal storage facility in Hounslow. It would carry high-pressure aviation fuel produced at their Fawley refinery to Heathrow airport. The official web site of the project was Link

. The new pipeline would follow the route of an existing one which was coming to the end of its life, but without disrupting it. Works first became visible in Hampshire in 2022 when lots of little rectangular fenced pens were created, in pairs, on either side of certain roads. The purpose of these pens was to enclose land needed to operate machines to take the pipeline beneath these roads. Two methods were mainly used: pipe pushing and auger boring depending, it seems, upon the nature of the ground. Pipe pushing could not be used in hard ground like flinty chalk. Earlier, in 2020, short surface scrapes could be seen on Google Earth, running diagonally across the line of the pipe and making a zig zag form. These were preliminary archaeological surveys.

David Martin