Handforth Dean Retail Park, managed by Hartnell Taylor Cook, has collected a 2024 International Green Apple award for its sustainability initiatives. This award is part of a campaign to find the greenest companies in the UK.
Situated close to the River Dean between Cheshire’s stockbroker belt and Manchester, the retail park views this award as the culmination of many environmental initiatives undertaken over recent years to create a lasting impact. The team has spent the past year revitalising the area around the retail park, creating an inviting atmosphere for shoppers and wildlife.
Partnering with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, they conducted a comprehensive habitat assessment to ensure every improvement to the site enhanced biodiversity and promoted environmental stewardship within the community.
Following this extensive ecological survey, it became apparent that the site required bug and bird boxes to be installed across the site to help improve the ecological value of the retail park. In response, the team hosted a fun and engaging ‘Let’s Wing It’ event, where shoppers were invited to decorate wooden bird and bug boxes. Some of these were then installed at Handforth Dean to help improve the site’s biodiversity. Additionally, attendees were encouraged to take a bird or bug box home, thereby extending the positive impact of the project beyond the retail park and into the wider community.
Working in partnership with St Benedict’s School, Handforth Dean launched an initiative to enhance local biodiversity and strengthen community connections. As part of this project, they installed eight new bug houses across the retail park. These bug houses were thoughtfully designed to provide a safe and nurturing habitat for insect species, including ladybirds, bees, woodlice and spiders, each of which plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. The impact of these bug houses extends beyond just insects. The team has observed that the bug houses also attract other wildlife including frogs and hedgehogs, which utilise the spaces for shelter and protection. This highlights the broader ecological benefits of the initiative and demonstrates how creating microhabitats can enhance biodiversity.
The team has taken significant steps to further enhance biodiversity by installing fifteen birdhouses throughout the retail park. These birdhouses are strategically placed to provide optimal nesting and resting spots for a variety of bird species. The team hopes these birdhouses will attract a diverse array of birds, thereby enriching the local ecosystem. Among the anticipated residents are sparrowhawks and jays. The team also hopes to attract cuckoos and mistle thrushes. During the colder months, the team anticipates the birdhouses will be home to migrating birds such as bramblings, waxwings and fieldfares.
Additionally, pollinator-friendly flowers, such as Lavender, Geranium, Marigold, and more, have been planted throughout the retail park to create vibrant habitats for essential pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Hartnell Taylor Cook’s Operations Manager at Handforth Dean, Sam Green, expressed her deep commitment to the project, stating: “We are incredibly passionate about enhancing biodiversity at Handforth Dean Retail Park and engaging the community to ensure we care for all aspects of our environment, including plants, animals and insects.”
Her enthusiasm underscores the team’s dedication to fostering a rich and diverse ecological environment at Handforth Dean.
The team will be presented with their trophy and certificate at a presentation ceremony in Kensington Palace, London, in November.
Further links: Making a home for birds and insects
