Hydroseeding and Erosion Control Contractors for UK Construction
Specialist Seeding for Contractors, Developers and Infrastructure Teams
CDTS North & West delivers hydroseeding, conventional seeding, wildflower seeding, direct tree seeding and erosion control for construction, infrastructure and restoration projects across the UK. We work with Tier 1 contractors, house builders, highway authorities, rail operators, quarry companies and local authorities.
Our role is straightforward: establish vegetation on your site using the right method for the ground conditions, programme and specification. Whether that means BFM erosion control on a 1:1 highway cutting, wildflower seeding for BNG compliance on a housing scheme, or conventional drill seeding across 60,000 m² of landfill cap, we match the method to the problem.
Our Four Core Seeding Methods
CDTS North & West operates four specialist seeding methods, each suited to different site conditions, gradients and programme requirements. Most projects use a combination of methods across different zones of the site, all delivered by one contractor in a single appointment.
Hydroseeding – Hydraulic application of seed, mulch and binding agents for large areas, slopes and sites where conventional access is limited. Our fleet of 6 hydroseeders covers 2 to 3 hectares per day, with uniform seed distribution across irregular ground and immediate erosion protection from the mulch matrix.
Conventional Seeding – Mechanical drill seeding and broadcast application for accessible flat or gently sloping ground. The most cost-effective method where tractor access allows proper cultivation, delivering precision seed placement at controlled rates.
Wildflower & BNG Seeding – Species-rich habitat establishment to meet mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements under the Environment Act 2021. We work from ecologist specifications using local-provenance seed mixes, with hydroseeding or conventional methods matched to site conditions.
Direct Tree Seeding – Native woodland establishment from seed on hostile substrates where cell-grown planting fails or is uneconomic. CDTS North & West has pioneered direct tree seeding in the UK for over 30 years, with species-specific dormancy treatments and nurse crop protocols for each site.
Every method is supported by specialist equipment, 30+ years of site experience, CHAS accreditation, and project-ready RAMS documentation.
10m +
Square meters seeded
2m+
Trees planted
30+
Years in specialist seeding
3000+
Projects completed
Seeding and Erosion Control Solutions
Construction and development projects face recurring vegetation challenges: erosion on exposed earthworks, mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain obligations, land restoration conditions, and SUDS features requiring established cover before adoption. Left unaddressed, these create programme delays, regulatory enforcement and costly remediation.
CDTS North & West provides seeding solutions that address these risks directly. We work from your drawings, specifications or tender documents to recommend the right combination of methods, equipment and seed mixes for your site conditions, gradient and timescales. For indicative pricing, see our hydroseeding cost guide.
350+
Clients across the UK
30+
Years specialist experience
3
Specialist crews
6
Hydroseeders in the fleet
Where CDTS Delivers FOR TEAMS
Typical Applications
CDTS North & West provides hydroseeding and erosion control across infrastructure, development, restoration and public sector projects where vegetation establishment protects programmes, satisfies planning conditions and supports compliant handover. We work on schemes ranging from major highway embankments and railway possessions to housing open space, quarry restoration and local authority amenity projects.
Our equipment is matched to site constraints. The 6,000L lorry-mounted hydroseeder handles open motorway works and large-scale restoration. Compact 2,000L to 3,500L towed units access restricted sites, rail possessions and locations with weight or width limitations. Specialist Aebi Terratrac slope tractors and pedestrian equipment handle steep ground and confined areas where standard plant cannot operate.
Highway and Motorway Embankments
Highway slopes face immediate erosion risk from rainfall and runoff after earthworks complete. CDTS North & West applies hydroseeding with Bonded Fibre Matrix (BFM) to stabilise bare embankments within 24 hours of application, protecting earthworks before vegetation establishes. Under controlled testing conditions, BFM achieves up to 99% erosion reduction on 2:1 slopes (Ricks et al., 2020). Our 6,000L lorry-mounted hydroseeder covers extensive linear sites efficiently, meeting National Highways specifications and reducing the period of bare-soil exposure.
Railway Cuttings and Lineside Vegetation
Railway projects operate under strict possession windows where delays cost thousands per hour. CDTS North & West mobilises compact 2,000L to 2,500L towed hydroseeders for restricted railway access, completing seeding within tight possession timeframes. Our teams have delivered projects on the West Coast Main Line, Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Docklands Light Railway and Manchester Metrolink. See our highway and rail embankment stabilisation service for more detail on how we work within possession windows and traffic management constraints.
Utility Corridors and Pipeline Routes
Pipeline and utility schemes require rapid reinstatement across kilometres of varied terrain, often with environmental permit conditions and agricultural landowner agreements. CDTS North & West provides mobile hydroseeding capacity to follow construction phases, reinstating stripped ground with appropriate grass or wildflower mixes within days of final grading. Our equipment handles restricted access corridors and transitions between agricultural land, road verges and sensitive habitats, supporting regulator and landowner sign-off.
SUDS Attenuation Ponds and Swales
SUDS features combine steep engineered slopes with environmental compliance requirements. Sediment runoff into drainage infrastructure risks pollution incidents and planning condition breaches. CDTS North & West applies specialist grass mixes for wet conditions and periodic inundation, with BFM erosion control on steep pond sides of 1:3 or steeper. This prevents sediment washout during establishment, protects water quality and satisfies Environment Agency discharge consent conditions, ensuring SUDS assets function correctly from practical completion.
Wildflower Meadows for BNG Compliance
The mandatory 10% Biodiversity Net Gain requirement under the Environment Act 2021 means planning permission depends on verifiable habitat creation, with ecologist sign-off required before discharge of conditions. CDTS North & West delivers wildflower establishment using local-provenance seed mixes tailored to site soil conditions and Defra Biodiversity Metric requirements. We manage the critical establishment phase, including soil fertility reduction, weed control and appropriate sowing technique, that determines whether habitats achieve target condition scores. Our portfolio includes schemes where BNG sign-off was achieved on first ecological assessment.
Acoustic Bunds and Boundary Screening
Acoustic bunds present steep sides, typically 1:2 to 1:3, requiring immediate erosion protection and rapid visual screening for neighbouring properties and highways. CDTS North & West applies hydroseeding with bonded mulch to stabilise these gradients from the point of application. Visible germination typically occurs within 7 to 14 days under optimal seeding conditions, transforming bare engineered soil into vegetated slopes. This addresses both technical risk (preventing gullying and sediment runoff) and commercial pressure (improving visual impact for sales centres and planning compliance).
Landfill final capping and restoration phases
Landfill operators must satisfy Environment Agency permit conditions for final capping, with vegetation establishment critical for controlling infiltration and preventing leachate generation. CDTS North & West hydroseeding protects cap integrity without heavy machinery trafficking that could damage liner systems or compromise engineered layers. This enables permit closure and ends the ongoing monitoring and financial liability of unclosed sites. We have delivered landfill and quarry restoration for major waste operators including Biffa, Viridor and FCC Environment.
SEEDING SPECIALISTS
Fully Vetted and Insured
CHAS accredited (membership CHAS-29009949, SSIP Approved Contractor) with £5M public liability and £10M employers' liability insurance. Full RAMS and method statements provided for every project. Documentation available on request for your tender submissions.
Why Procurement Teams Choose CDTS North & West
Fleet and Technical Capability
Six hydroseeders from 6,000L lorry-mounted Finn units down to 2,000L compact towed machines. Specialist seedbed preparation equipment including power harrows, stone buriers, rotovators and Blec Turfmaker drills. Aebi Terratrac slope tractors for steep and sensitive ground. Three experienced crews operating simultaneously across the UK.
UK-Wide Coverage
CDTS North & West is based in Cheshire and operates across the whole of the UK. We regularly deliver projects in the North West, North Wales, the Midlands, Yorkshire, Scotland and southern England. Our fleet includes towing vehicles, trailers and self-contained rigs that allow rapid mobilisation to any site. We deploy multiple teams simultaneously on large or multi-site programmes.
We have collaborated for many years with CDTS on a whole range of seeding projects covering conventional seeding, hydroseeding and wildflower seeding for BNG enhancement. Extremely professional with highly experienced and qualified teams. Great communication, flexible and reactive service!
Paul Hadley
November 2025
The CDTS team have over the last 3 years been carrying out various hydroseeding for us on a large road scheme in the Midlands.
The results speak for them selves with fantastic establishment rates which impress our main client.
The team are professional, hardworking and always set out to meet their own high expectations in regards to performance and meeting our strict deadline requirements.
Having used their services for many years across all Landscape sectors I can highly recommend them for all conventional and hydroseeding needs.
Roy Bellamy
February 2026
I’ve used CDTS Seeding for many years, using both amenity and bespoke wildflower seed mixes across hydroseeding and conventional seeding projects. Their attention to detail and genuine desire to create the best possible finish really sets them apart.
Professional, reliable, and consistently excellent. Highly recommended for anyone needing quality seeding work.
Ant Brown
November 2025
Featured Projects
Proven Delivery Across Sectors
Caernarfon Bypass
Client: Tilhill
Sector: Highways
Location: Caernarfon, North Wales
Completed: 2024
Hydroseeding across 60+ hectares of new road embankments, cuttings and verges on the Caernarfon bypass, one of the largest single highway seeding schemes in North Wales. The scale required our 6,000L lorry-mounted hydroseeder to maintain programme, with seed mixes specified to suit local ecological conditions.
Clyde Windfarm
Client: Blackwells
Sector: Energy/Wind Farm
Location: South Lanarkshire, Scotland
Year: Multiple Phases
Hydroseeding across 60 hectares at the Clyde Windfarm complex in South Lanarkshire, one of the largest onshore wind farms in the UK. CDTS North & West delivered multiple phases of hydroseeding across the Clyde North and South sites, applying seed and mulch hydraulically to exposed upland terrain inaccessible to conventional seeding equipment. The scale of this project demonstrates our capacity to match the demands of major energy infrastructure programmes.
Cheshire Green
Client: Jones Bros Civil
Sector: Infrastructure
Location: Cheshire, North West
Year: Ongoing
Hydroseeding and conventional seeding across 10,000 m² plus the planting of 6,000 trees and shrubs at a major new infrastructure and employment site. A waterlogged site demanded careful timing and equipment selection to avoid ground damage while maintaining programme. All seeding and planting is establishing well despite challenging ground conditions.
Tarrington Wetlands
Client: Bentleys
Sector: Wetland Restoration
Location: Herefordshire
Year: 2024
Combined hydroseeding, conventional seeding and wetland plug planting across approximately 2 hectares, including the installation of 15,000 wetland plug plants across 15 species. Demonstrates CDTS North & West's capability to deliver integrated terrestrial and aquatic habitat schemes in a single mobilisation.
Murphy Construction New Head Office
Client: Ground Control
Sector: Commercial/Development
Location: Golborne, North West
Year: 2025
Conventional and wildflower seeding across 10,000 m² of landscape surrounding Murphy Construction's new head office near Wigan. A high-profile commercial development where specification compliance and visual finish quality were critical for client handover.
Carden Park
Client: Carden Park
Sector: Commercial
Location: Cheshire, North West
Year: 2025
Conventional seeding across multiple contracts at the Carden Park estate and golf course near Chester, including landscape restoration on stony soil contaminated with builders' debris. Rapid establishment achieved despite poor substrate conditions through careful seedbed preparation.
Machynlleth Bridge
Completed: 2024 - Current
Location: Machynlleth, Mid Wales
Sector: Highways
Client: Alun Griffiths
A 1 km new road alignment around a new bridge in a highly sensitive environmental setting. The specification required local-provenance seed and plants throughout, with CDTS North & West providing hydroseeding, conventional seeding, wildflower and BNG seeding, BFM erosion control and planting of 15,000 trees across 5 hectares.
For a detailed breakdown of this project, view the full A487 Machynlleth Bridge case study.
Discuss Your Project with Our Team
Whether you are tendering for a major infrastructure scheme, managing a housing development or planning a land restoration project, our team can advise on the right seeding and erosion control approach for your site. Share your drawings, specification or project brief and we will recommend the right combination of methods for your ground conditions and programme.
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