Case Study: Burton Woods

Originally delivered by the developer, Barratt David Wilson Homes Newcastle, the vast landcaped areas perfectly complement the neighbouring residential development, offering a bevy of biodiversity.

The interlocking matrix of protected habitats includes long grasslands and wildflower meadows popular with insects and birds, while the wetlands within the bio-park are home to the rare Great Crested Newt.

These amphibious salamanders (including their eggs, nests and breeding sites) are heavily protected under conservation laws - but our variable specificaiton recommends the area be cut only with specialised flail equipment, to avoid endangering the animals.

Similarly, the grassland areas are subject to a grazing regime, as recommended by the development’s ecologist, creatively maintaining the diverse sward while keeping both mechanical costs and carbon emissions to a minimum.

Meanwhile, the historic woodlands which give the development its name date back to the 17th century, receive an annual tree audit.