Mac Mic Group’s Planning Consent for a second phase of development in Keynsham, Somerset, has received the industry gold standard for green accolades - a Building with Nature Design Award.
Building with Nature, which is wholly owned by a registered charity, created a voluntary set of Green Infrastructure standards in collaboration with stakeholders from industry, academia and the public sector. Collectively, the Building with Nature Standards form a framework that provides evidence-based, how-to, guidance on delivering high quality Green Infrastructure.
Projects that use the Standards are independently accredited by Building with Nature. To achieve a Building with Nature Award all projects, including the proposals for Withies Green, Keynsham, must demonstrate best practice in its approach to a range of wildlife, wellbeing and water issues and, in-doing so, show how they are creating and securing better places for people and wildlife.
The second phase of Withies Green will deliver 213 new homes, of which 30% will be affordable, as well as a replacement sports pitch for the nearby primary school. The scheme also accommodates a number of public footpaths that cross the site and incorporates various green corridors through the site with open space to the east extending to Saltford.
Nevin Holden, South West Regional Manager, Mac & Mic Group, said:
“We are delighted that our design proposals for Phase 2 of our site in Keynsham has been recognised for its green credentials through a Building with Nature Award. The overall concept for the site is to create a green sustainable neighbourhood that maximises the opportunities to live with and alongside nature.
“The structure of the site is formed around a central wetland that runs through the middle of the site increasing opportunities for wildlife and creating a publicly accessible park. Our proposal includes significant offsite cycle improvements to the town centre and rail station and the sustainable new homes will feature a low carbon design that will create an outward looking development that forms the new edge to Keynsham.
Tim Bevan, Assistant Director, Building with Nature said: “Achieving a Building with Nature Design Award for the proposals for Withies Green Phase 2 Land reinforces Mac Mic Group’s commitment to embedding the principles of high-quality green infrastructure (GI) on the project. The assessment of the project proposals, on which the Award is based, highlighted a range of connected GI features that will link with the wider environment and benefit people and wildlife.
“Maintaining this commitment through a Building with Nature approach is key to delivering and securing these benefits for future residents, whilst also remaining sensitive of and positively contributing to the existing community of Keynsham and the local wildlife and habitats.”
Earlier this year Mac Mic Group sold the 10.2ha (25.2) acre site to Curo Enterprise. The acquisition by Bristol-based Curo Enterprise provides a continuation of the housing association’s earlier delivery of 56 homes on the nearby Hygge Park development.
View our case study on Keynsham Phase 2 here.
