“We are acutely aware that nature is struggling, and we want to play a more direct part in helping it recover,” said Olivia Dear, Sustainability and Wates Wildscape Director at Wates Land and Development. “Wates Wildscape is our way of reimagining the balance between housing and habitats. It gives us a platform to deliver credible solutions that really work – both for nature and for developers.”
Turning farmland into thriving habitats
Wates Wildscape’s first project will transform a 17-hectare site in Ashurst, within Tunbridge Wells Borough and the High Weald National Character Area, from low-quality agricultural land into a biodiverse landscape of grasslands, scrub, hedgerows, wet woodlands and ponds. Bordering the River Medway, the site will provide more than 105 BNG units for sale and include riparian planting to enhance water quality and create watercourse habitat units.
David Brocklebank, Executive Managing Director of Wates Land and Development, said: “Wates Wildscape is much more than a business initiative – it is an integral part of our sustainability strategy. We’re combining our strategic land expertise with our environmental commitments to help the sector meet biodiversity targets and support local nature recovery.”
He added: “We’re fully invested in ensuring the BNG market functions effectively to improve the world around us for future generations. Each Wildscape habitat will be designed to enhance its surroundings and support our commitment to helping places, the planet and people thrive.”
Supporting the UK’s nature recovery goals
Under the government’s target to build 1.5 million new homes and critical infrastructure, developers are required to deliver a 10% net gain in biodiversity. Wates Wildscape’s off-site units offer a scalable and sustainable way to achieve these targets, while ensuring biodiversity improvements are properly managed and maintained over time.
For more information about Wates Wildscape, visit the Wates Wildscape website or contact land@wates.co.uk.
