Wykeland Group, a prominent property developer based in Hull, has joined forces with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to sign a pioneering framework agreement aimed at promoting sustainable development while enhancing local ecosystems. This collaboration, which builds on a successful partnership spanning over a decade, seeks to ensure that economic growth and ecological preservation go hand in hand.
The newly established Ecology and Biodiversity Framework Agreement commits both organisations to a constructive approach, focusing on nurturing wildlife and natural habitats alongside the delivery of commercially viable developments. This agreement signifies Wykeland’s dedication to integrating ecological principles into its entire portfolio of projects.
Representatives from Wykeland and the Wildlife Trust gathered at Wykeland’s Bridgehead business park in Hessle, East Yorkshire, to celebrate their longstanding partnership, introduce the new agreement, and formalise the signing. This event highlighted their shared commitment to demonstrate how commercial development can positively impact the environment.
Since 2013, Wykeland and the Trust have collaborated on numerous projects, showcasing how responsible development can yield benefits for both wildlife and local communities. One notable initiative is a 1km nature trail at Bridgehead, designed and created by Wykeland in partnership with the Trust, which manages the pathway and its surrounding natural habitat.
In addition to the nature trail, Wykeland has also partnered with community volunteering charity The Conservation Volunteers and local primary schools to establish the Jubilee Woodland. This project features 1,200 trees and borders Wykeland’s Melton West business park in East Yorkshire, further enhancing the region’s green spaces.
A significant aspect of the new agreement is the early integration of the Trust’s expertise into Wykeland’s design and development processes. The Trust will act as a constructive advisor, ensuring ecological considerations are prioritised from the initial planning stages of projects, including developments at Bridgehead, Melton West, the Fruit Market urban village in Hull, and Europarc in Grimsby.
Wykeland Managing Director Dominic Gibbons expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We’re delighted to be continuing our work with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to enhance not just our future developments, but also our existing ones. Our commitment is to ensure all our developments benefit businesses, users, and the natural environment alike.”
Rachael Bice, Chief Executive Officer of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, emphasised the importance of creating ecologically sensitive developments. She said, “The relationship we have built with Wykeland shows solutions can be found for ecologically sensitive development when professionals bring together their different perspectives.”
The framework agreement outlines three key themes: Gains for Nature, which focuses on protecting and enhancing natural sites; Rewilding Lives, promoting daily opportunities for residents to engage with nature; and Flourishing Legacy, which establishes management practices for maintaining green spaces.
Following the signing ceremony, attendees were invited to explore the Bridgehead woodland trail, witnessing firsthand how Wykeland and the Trust are fostering a thriving natural environment for both workers and visitors.
Wykeland’s ongoing collaboration with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reflects its commitment to sustainable development, aiming to create vibrant spaces where both people and nature can flourish together now and in the future.
