It joins 28 other developers committed to supporting biodiversity across the UK in response to the alarming rate at which biodiversity has declined over the past few decades.

The Homes for Nature commitment will see a bird-nesting brick or box installed for every new home built, as well as hedgehog highways on every new development from September 2024. In addition to integrated nest bricks, boxes and hedgehog highways, the initiative encourages the incorporation of additional features, such as bat roosts, insect bricks and hibernacula. Prior to joining the Home for Nature pledge, Dandara has already been implementing nature positive measures across its developments nationwide.

Dandara is currently working on sites where there is a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirement. The priority for these sites is to follow the BNG mitigation hierarchy to deliver significant on-site enhancements, before examining off-site opportunities.

The scheme was developed by the Future Homes Hub’s On-Site Nature Measures Working Group in addition to the Biodiversity Net Gain regulations. The initiative will run until at least 2030, with annual reporting to track progress and to identify further suitable measures that could be introduced to support other wildlife.

Jonathan Cheng, sustainability manager at Dandara, said: “We have a responsibility to ensure we are nature-positive and to restore habitats in the communities we develop. That’s why we are proud to partner with over 28 developers in the Homes for Nature pledge, demonstrating our commitment to improving biodiversity within the housebuilding sector.

“This transformative initiative, through features like nest boxes, hedgehog highways, and other nature-friendly measures, represents a significant step in providing essential habitats for species such as hedgehogs and swifts.”