Member Article

Southam industrial scheme to benefit major Stratford-upon-Avon biodiversity project

A regional property company has committed its support to a major regional biodiversity project as part of the development of a new 42,000 sq ft industrial scheme.

Warwickshire Property and Development Group (WPDG) has completed the purchase of Biodiversity Net Gain Credits which will support work at the 4,000-acre Alscot Estate, which is three miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon.

WPDG was formed last year by Warwickshire County Council to realise the potential of its development sites.

Work is underway on its first commercial development which is a multi-let industrial scheme at Holywell Business Park, part of the Kineton Road Industrial Estate in Southam. The development is being undertaken by Warwick based contractor MCS Group.

The support for Alscot Estate through the purchase of Biodiversity Net Gain Credits has enabled the commercial development scheme to be brought forward.

Alscot Estate’s biodiversity project aims to secure a future for plant and animal species on the country estate by the improvement of natural grasslands and woodlands, creating wildlife corridors and encouraging rare species to thrive.

It is one of the first ventures of its kind in the UK and, after agreement with Warwickshire County Council, 47.86 acres of land have been given over for the first phase of the Alscot Biodiversity Project, which is to take place over a minimum 30 year period.

The project commenced in April 2020 and works with property developers to provide biodiversity offsetting units – with activity mitigating for the biodiversity loss as a result of developments in Warwickshire.

Emma Holman-West, CEO at Alscot Estate, said: “We are delighted to be working with Warwickshire Property and Development Group, both the success of the economic growth within Warwickshire and challenging climate change for a positive outcome, are imperative to me, and WPDG demonstrate this through their company ethos. “It is essential that there is synergy between Alscot and the developers that we work with, to achieve a sustainable future.

“I am pleased that the ecological processes that we are following in the Warwickshire countryside is enabling economy, also within Warwickshire, to thrive.” Jon Thompson, Land Consultant, concluded the sale on behalf of Alscot Estate to WPDG. He said: “We were delighted to complete the sale of Biodiversity Net Gain Credits to Warwickshire Property and Development Group.

“Alscot is a historically important site in Warwickshire and support from companies such as WPDG enables the advancement of the vast biodiversity project.” Stuart Buckley, Managing Director of WPDG, added: “WPDG are here to make a positive difference in the county and to drive forward the sustainability agenda. What better way than to be able to support a fantastic initiative in Alscot Estate’s biodiversity project through our latest commercial development in Southam.

“The scheme enables developers to proceed with vital activity which brings economic benefits to the county, while still having a positive impact on the wider biodiversity landscape in Warwickshire.

This scheme demonstrates the value of business in Warwickshire with both the contractor for the scheme and the offsetting being with two local enterprises.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .