THE 2,350-home Chesterton development has been recognised for its quality of green infrastructure at the planning stage.

The project by Bathurst Development Ltd. has achieved the Building with Nature candidate status by the UK's first green infrastructure certification scheme, launched on November 9.

Building with Nature wrote in a press release: "The Chesterton development will be a mixed-use development comprising 2,350 residential dwellings, business units, and community facilities on a greenfield site.

"The development will include a range of features to deliver benefits to people and nature: houses will be built with integrated bird boxes and there will be an allotment area and a network of pedestrian routes and cycle paths linking up to the town centre.

"Sustainable drainage systems will help to manage surface water run off while creating new habitats for wildlife."

Speaking at the launch event for Building with Nature, Lord Bathurst said: “I’m delighted that the extensive green infrastructure proposed for Chesterton has received this highly regarded Building with Nature award.

"I am adamant that our plans should not only complement and respect the farmed landscape of the area, but actually positively contribute to it as well.”

There are two levels of Building with Nature certification: achieved and excellent. A development can only be certified post-construction.

Developments which apply pre-construction can be granted the Building with Nature candidate status.

The certification scheme already has companies signed up, including Bathurst Development Limited, Persimmon Homes, and Bloor Homes.

It aims to support companies to meet requirements for green infrastructure to be included in developments.

The benchmark for housing and commercial developments covers three key themes – wildlife, water and wellbeing – through the incorporation of features such as play areas, street trees, natural flood management solutions, parks, allotments and ponds.

It has been piloted in the South West and will now be rolled out across the UK.

Building with Nature has been developed by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the University of the West of England’s Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments.

The pioneering motorway service station Gloucester Services has been awarded the benchmark, and three planned housing schemes have been designed using the benchmark: the Chesterton development, Elderberry Walk (Bristol) and Elms Park (Cheltenham).

Cotswold District Council’s ‘Green Infrastructure, Open Space and Play Space Strategy’ has also been awarded Building with Nature candidate status.

Developers and planners can apply for Building with Nature certification at any stage.

For information, contact Dr Gemma Jerome on 07715 563112 or gemma.jerome@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk