Protecting the birds – housebuilder extends partnership with RSPB
A Staffordshire housebuilder has announced it will continue to work with the UK’s largest nature conservation charity.
After an 11-year partnership, Barratt Redrow Midlands and the RSPB are officially extending their cooperation for another five years.
The housebuilder will invest more than £1 million in the new partnership, on top of current contributions to nature and wildlife on its developments.
The extension of the collaboration means local developments such as Amington Garden Village in Tamworth and Curborough Lakes in Lichfield can continue to benefit from RSPB advice, helping to give nature a home.
Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are at a very critical time in terms of the state of the natural world and now more than ever, it is absolutely vital that we put nature at the centre of everything we do – especially when it comes to planning where and how we build houses in this country.
“We know that when we join forces and work together, with the right expertise and shared aims, we can achieve more for nature. We look forward to continuing to build on what our partnership with Barratt Redrow has already achieved.”
Since 2014, the RSPB has been providing expertise to Barratt Redrow in building homes and developments in a nature-friendly way, inspiring homeowners to support wildlife on their doorstep and influence government and the wider sector to help nature thrive.
The pair launched the ‘Nature on Your Doorstep’ initiative, which encouraged residents to create a wildlife haven in their own outdoor spaces, using inspirational content, top tips and advice.
The collaboration has led to many accolades including a BIG Biodiversity Challenge Award for show home designs, a Corporate Engagement Award for best sustainable programme and a prestigious RSPCA Animal Hero Award.
Now, with the partnership extended for another five years, they will be deepening existing initiatives while creating new opportunities to protect nature within Barratt Redrow developments and communities. This includes establishing more exemplary nature-friendly features around the country and rolling out species enhancement plans.
By writing landscaping and gardening guides, designing a new swift brick that is being installed in 7,500 new homes, and creating wildlife-friendly show home gardens, the collaboration is working to set the benchmark for nature-friendly housing across the country.
Elaine Cartwright, Sales Director for Barratt Redrow Midlands, said: “While we face a nature and climate emergency in the UK, we also need to build more homes to tackle the housing crisis. This is why we have partnered with the RSPB for the past 11 years to show how it’s possible to build new homes for people and wildlife.
“We are delighted to now be extending the partnership for another five years, building on what we have already learnt together, to give nature a home.”
