Bedfordshire housing project named biodiversity project of the year

By Stephen Emerson

6 October 2022

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Redrow’s Caddington Woods development in Chaul End near Luton Beds which has won the Nature for People Redrow 8 Award. July 7 2021. Matthew Power Photography www.matthewpowerphotography.co.uk 07969 088655 [email protected] @mpowerphoto

A Bedfordshire housing development has been named Project of the Year in the BIG Biodiversity Challenge.

Redrow South Midlands’ Caddington Woods, on Chaul End, received the accolade this week.

The Caddington development has been presented with a prestigious National Biodiversity award. The award follows its conversion from brownfield site into a 314 home development and wildlife haven.

Redrow’s Caddington Woods development in Chaul End near Luton Beds which has won the Nature for People Redrow 8 Award. Matthew Power Photography www.matthewpowerphotography.co.uk

The BIG Biodiversity Challenge recognises biodiversity enhancement of construction sites and property developments.

The Caddington Woods development was a former 6,500-space car park which was transformed into a nature habitat in partnership between Redrow and Central Bedfordshire Council and General Motors which had owned the land since the 1950s.

In addition to retaining the existing woodland, ‘bee-friendly hotels’ and ‘hedgehog highways’, were introduced to enhance biodiversity. Additional measures include species-rich grassland and native shrub planting, which Redtow claim will achieve a 63% Biodiversity Net Gain..

The development also boasts eight hectares of green public open space for residents and the local community to enjoy, including a play area.

Commenting on the award win, Suzanne Irons, Sales Director for Redrow South Midlands, said: "We are immensely proud of the Caddington Woods team's dedication to developing a nature-rich space and are over the moon with this win. We take great pride in having created a habitat that is both wildlife-friendly and a great place for those in the community to call home. We hope local people will take pleasure in seeing both people and animals thrive here for many years to come.”

By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.