Building with Nature

The ‘Building with Nature’ award assesses construction projects on a number of impact areas, including connectivity to nature, water management, wildlife impact, responding to the climate emergency. The Sutton estate in Chelsea and Barne Barton estate in Plymouth have both been awarded Building with Nature accreditation.

The Building with Nature assessors said this about our Barne Barton scheme:

“The regeneration project will transform the layout and design of Barne Barton, introducing new green infrastructure for the wider community. Design proposals were heavily influenced by the existing community to ensure the project reflects the community’s strengths and needs, retaining existing assets and bringing in new ones to enhance the environment. One of these new changes is a Green Street in the heart of the development, tying the community in with nature. It is aspects such as these that makes the design wholly reflective of the greater Plymouth area and the Tamar Estuary AONB. Although the development is on a site of high housing demand coupled with a lower land value, the developer has effectively promoted sustainable land-use. They have done so alongside the necessary housing development needs. Thus, both aspects of the development have had equal focus and delivery, enhancing the overall liveability of the site. BwN accredited the Outline Plan for a Design Award, and the applicant is in the process of preparing an assessment for accreditation for a Full Award.”

Sutton estate, Chelsea was awarded a Building with Nature Full Award (subject to post-construction sign off), primarily for its green landscaping. We will be applying for the award for other regeneration schemes, following its standards where possible to ensure best practice.

Find out more about the BwN Barne Barton case study.