A new housing development in Somerset has been recognised with a leading nature-friendly award, highlighting growing expectations on UK housebuilders to deliver biodiversity gains alongside new homes.
The scheme, located in Somerset, has received a top accolade for its approach to integrating wildlife and green infrastructure into the masterplan. The award reflects measures such as habitat creation and sensitive landscaping, designed to support local species while providing residents with access to high-quality outdoor space.
The recognition comes as planning authorities and national policy continue to push developers towards measurable biodiversity net gain on residential projects. For contractors and consultants, the Somerset scheme offers a live example of how ecological design can be embedded from the outset, rather than treated as a bolt-on late in the construction process.
While specific project partners and technical details were not disclosed, the award underlines a broader shift in the housing sector. Developers are increasingly judged not only on unit numbers and delivery speed, but also on how well schemes respond to environmental targets and community expectations for greener, more sustainable neighbourhoods.