A HABITAT-enhancing residential development has been recognised for leaving a lasting legacy for future generations after it has won a biodiversity award.

Heritage Park, in Penymynydd, has won the small-scale project of the year award at this year’s CIRIA’s Biodiversity BIGChallenge Awards.

The Redrow development was found to be occupying an area with rich potential for wildlife and biodiversity habitats.

Ecological surveys taken at the start of 55-home development and overseen by The Environment Partnership (TEP) detected mud snails, ground nesting birds and great crested newts on site, and badgers and bats close by.

It was from here, that the White Lion Nature Reserve was born.

Connecting to the development, and in partnership with the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust, the reserve provides tranquil walkways, six man-made ponds, wildflower meadows and hedgerows.

Paul Sinclair, technical director at Redrow Homes North West, said:: “Heritage Park was shaped by the natural environment that it was part of. Redrow carefully cultivated the development not only to help preserve but to encourage wildlife habitats to flourish.

"It’s a place where guided walks, species surveys and pond dipping sessions, delivered by the ARC Trust, are now a popular feature within this community setting and since its launch in 2016, records have shown that the great crested newt population has increased six-fold.”

Some of the measures taken included collaborating with an expert organisation. Redrow partnered with the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust and are pleased to share that it is now home to four other native amphibian species as well as the rare mud snail.

Paul Moore, MD of Redrow Homes North West, added: “This award win demonstrates our commitment to delivering biodiversity within our developments. Our aim is to protect and create areas for wildlife close to where residents live – this is a key element of our Biodiversity Strategy ‘Nature for People.’

"We are one of the first housebuilders to embark on a plan to achieve verified net biodiversity gain across developments by 2022 and this is one of them.”

The BIGchallenge invites the construction industry to add at least one new biodiversity enhancement to construction sites, developments or existing buildings. This year, the judges were very impressed with the partnership approach, the community centred focus, the ecological outputs and legacy of the White Lion Nature Reserve.