natural environment

Ravenscraig Ltd is committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment to ensure it can be enjoyed by residents and visitors.

Of the 1150 acres within the site, only around 400 acres will be developed. The remaining areas will be protected or enhanced to provide valuable formal and informal amenity areas for residents and wildlife.

The area already includes a diverse wildlife population including deer, foxes, hares, otters, badgers, watervoles and birds such as the wader, song thrush and the little ringed plover.

One of the first developments undertaken was to create new habitats suitable for the plovers grayling butterflies, and great crested newts.

Much of the historic landscape will be restored and, based on a detailed Ecological Study, a Natural Heritage strategy and Landscape Plan have been developed to conserve and enhance those parts of the site with ecological value.

Conservation measures include:
• establishing new habitats including large areas of green open space
• creating green wildlife corridors
• providing facilities for safe movement of wildlife, such as badgers
• protecting sensitive habitats and flora such as marsh orchid, blue fleabane
• encouraging wildflowers
• protecting or relocating existing animal and insect species
• protecting mature woodlands – part of which is classed as ancient woodland
• a major planting programme of species native to the locality - alder, birch, larch, goat willow and whitebeam
• increasing areas of wetland habitat.

Conservation will extend to promoting sustainable approaches to energy efficiency, recycling and waste management. All new homes will require a minimum EcoHomes rating of very good and renewable energy options will be encouraged, including onsite generation.

An Ecological Clerk of Works has been appointed to ensure compliance with Ravesncraig Ltd’s aims and objectives by all developers and contractors.
Sustainable construction methods, such as the use of timber from renewable sources, will also be promoted.