Sustainability Commitment
At Rectory, our social and environmental impact are a core part of what we do, not only to the business but also to our customers, employees and stakeholders too.
We take pride in our sustainable approach to housebuilding.
For some time we have been working towards the requirements now outlined in the new Environment Bill, by ensuring all our developments are providing a net gain in biodiversity.
An independent ecology consultant will survey the site for its ecological value before development to establish a baseline. This is then used to determine what mitigation and enhancement measures are required in order to achieve this net gain.
An ecological enhancement plan will establish exactly how a scheme will result in a net gain and this is submitted to the local planning authority for consideration.
If a net gain cannot be achieved purely though on-site creation due to site constraints then a financial contribution will be generated as a payment in lieu of on-site enhancement measures. This money then goes towards habitat creation elsewhere locally.
Our homes build a better future for generations to come
Produced by Travis Perkins, shot by Grit Pictures
Working with Rectory Homes as a trusted sustainable house builder.
Featuring The Meadows
Caring for our wildlife
Bats
Bat boxes are provided within the majority of our schemes. This is usually through a combination of integrated bat boxes within the fabric of the new homes and boxes fixed to retained trees. On scheme where there will be an impact to an existing bat roost, replacement roosts are provided as part of the development under the guidance of a License obtained from Natural England.
Badgers
If badgers are found to be using the site for foraging, specialised fencing is erected to stop them entering the site over the construction period. If badger setts are identified within or close to the site boundaries, then an artificial replacement sett might be required in order to persuade the badgers to move to the new area.
Birds
Any tree / hedge removal where there are signs of nesting birds has to be undertaken outside of the bird nesting season. Enhancement measures such as bird boxes are used on almost all of our site. These come in a variety of types and sizes to accommodate different bird species such as swift boxes or sparrow terraces. Like bat boxes, these are often integrated bricks within the fabric of the new homes.
Hedgehog
We typically provide ‘hedgehog holes’ or ‘hedgehog highways’ within a scheme which comprises small holes within the garden fences to permit free movement of hedgehogs across the site.
Great Crested Newts
if records indicate that Great Crested Newts have historically been found in the area and there are waterbodies either on site or close by, then surveys will be undertaken to assess whether these waterbodies are suitable for GCN habitation;
Reptiles
If reptiles are found to be using the site then a license may be required to undertake works safely to avoid any harm to the species. Preventative measures can be conducted prior to works starting on site such as cutting any grass to a low sward to encourage reptiles to move away from the site.