A Redrow development in Bedfordshire has been named a winner at the Big Biodiversity Challenge Awards.
Caddington Woods, in Chaul End, was named Habitat Creation Project of the Year, in the large – medium scale biodiversity enhancement (5ha and above) category, for its transformation of a 6,500-space car park into a place where people and wildlife can flourish alongside each other.
Part of the CIRIA’s Big Biodiversity Challenge, formed in 2014, the awards recognise biodiversity enhancement of new sites, developments and existing buildings.
Announcing Caddington Woods as the winner, judges said: “The judges felt this scheme has great long term considerations, good options for replicability, and good permeability for wildlife. The high Biodiversity Net Gain shows strong biodiversity values from the developer. The partnership in place and the excellent engagement with the community makes it a strong winner. It was great to see that the financial requirements of maintaining the site were considered for the long term.”
Alongside new homes, Redrow has created an abundance of nature-rich habitats on the 22-hectare Caddington Woods site, formerly used as a vehicle storage facility.
New habitats for wildlife include species-rich grassland and native shrub planting, which help the project achieve a forecast 63% Biodiversity Net Gain.
Nicola Johansen, Group Biodiversity Manager at Redrow, said: “Our Nature for People biodiversity strategy, which was created in partnership with The Wildlife Trust, seeks to put the natural environment at the heart of our developments and the lives of the people who live there.
“The strategy includes a net gain approach to biodiversity, ensuring every development has green space and communal areas where wildlife can flourish. Caddington Woods is a standout example of this strategy in action and we are thrilled that it’s been recognised at this year’s Big Biodiversity Awards.”
