In addition to the 188 hectare Graven Hill site, we’re adding 22 hectares of grassland and 1.9 kilometres of hedgerows to create a healthy environment for wildlife and for everyone to enjoy.
That’s why we’ve created tree protection zones to stop damage to trees during the construction phase, and all timber on site is FSC certified, meaning it has been sourced responsibly.
So far, we have saved 68.2 tonnes of carbon by sourcing tarmac from a local plant and 3.04 tonnes of carbon from recycling 2000 tonnes of aggregate on site. We’ve recycled over 1701 tonnes of waste which is 90% of all waste created on site.
We’ve also created a newt fence around the boundary of the site that keeps Great Crested Newts out of the construction area, stopping them being harmed during any works.
You’ll also be able to spot badgers, deer, grass snakes, great crested newts and bats in the various woodland, field and wetland habitats around the site.
Great Crested Newts are the largest of our native newt species. They are widely distributed across Britain but have declined significantly over the last 100 years resulting in them becoming protected under European and UK law. The newts are active at night, spending the day at the bottom of ponds or in vegetation. They feed mainly on invertebrates and tadpoles.
Nine bat species have been recorded in and around the Graven Hill site including barbastelle bats which are considered to be one of the rarest bats in the UK. Numerous bat roosts have been located within the Graven Hill site, including within trees and buildings. Eleven active roosts were found in 2025, with further growth predicted in the coming years.
Badgers are shy nocturnal animals that live in underground chambers connected to a network of tunnels known as a sett. Badger setts have been located within the Graven Hill site with at least three main setts being identified.
A small population of grass snake and common lizard has been identified within the Graven Hill site, utilising the network of ditches, semi-improved grassland, tall herb vegetation and woodland across the site to forage and rest.
