Newland Homes

Great Oaks by Newland Homes is the first housing development in the area to achieve a Building with Nature Design Accreditation, putting nature at the heart of house building.

The Bee Bold selection panel commended how Newland Homes seamlessly integrated community food growing, wildlife-friendly design, and climate resilience into this housing development. The design also focused on protecting and enhancing nature before this became a mandatory requirement as part of Biodiversity Net Gain legislation.

What they did

Based near Yate, the Great Oaks housing development consists of 84 zero carbon homes complete with community allotments, wildlife corridors, and renewable energy features. Unlike other housing developers, Newland Homes had considered how to integrate climate resilience and a wildlife-friendly approach into their design from the offset. This has included installing Sustainable Drainage Systems and wetland areas as a natural approach to managing drainage.

In addition to native tree planting, mixed native shrubs and hedgerows were planted, creating extensive wildlife corridors, and connecting the development to the surrounding landscape. Homes are also built with electric vehicle charging, rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and air source heat pumps.

The development has achieved the Building with Nature Design Accreditation. A collaboration between the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the University of the West of England, Building with Nature sets the standard for high-quality green design across the UK.

The impact for pollinators

The wildflower meadow and wetland areas will be mowed twice a year, after the grasses and flowers have gone to seed, to encourage natural self-seeding and create a sustainable perennial wildflower habitat. Native, species-rich meadow grasses have been sown in the wetland areas, complemented by RHS-approved plantings throughout the development. Homeowners will also have the option to install bee and bug hotels, log piles, and composters to further support local biodiversity.

Videos created by Floating Harbour Studios (floatingharbour.co.uk |www.instagram.com/floatingharbour/)