Overview
This was a multi-disciplinary project for Cura Terrae which involved our Landscape, Ecology and Arboriculture teams. A new residential development in Doncaster comprises a mixture of detached and semi-detached dwellings with tree lined streets and a focus on access to nature.
The application for the 150 new homes on land to the north of Hatfield Lane, Barnby Dun — a village in Doncaster with a rich history — was approved by City of Doncaster Council on 1st July 2025. The application included associated access, drainage infrastructure, public open space and extensive landscaping.
The proposed green infrastructure assists with integrating the development with the surrounding landscape and provides a generous provision of public open space including SuDS, a play area and a mix of planting for habitat creation. This has enabled the proposals to achieve a biodiversity net gain increase of 38.53% for habitat units and 97.78% for hedgerow units post-development.
The Client
Our client, Stonebridge Homes, plans and designs schemes sensitively to make the most of a location and to maximise what the scheme can offer to residents. This attention to detail, where thoughtful design is paramount, ensures that the new homes blend beautifully into the area. Each housing development has its own character and community focus, and Barnby Dun is no exception, with a desirable choice of stylish homes in a pleasant setting and effective strong green infrastructure.
The Challenge
Cura Terrae was tasked with providing the green infrastructure design for this large site with generous public open space, to suit the needs of various users, as well as designing habitat creation to improve biodiversity value post-development.
The Solution
The Arboriculture team provided an initial tree and hedgerow survey in 2023. The survey identified significant trees and ‘Important’ hedgerows within and adjacent to the proposed development area, as specified by the Hedgerows Regulations 1997. The subsequent Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Method Statement and Tree Protection Plans assisted in the management of surveyed trees, including those requiring removal, in addition to identifying tree entities suitable for retention and protection – thus enhancing the proposed development.
In 2023, the Ecology team undertook a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA), comprising an ecological desk study and a UK Habitat Classification survey. This assessment provided an initial evaluation of the site’s ecological value and its potential to support habitats and species protected under UK or European nature conservation legislation. It also identified the need for any further surveys, mitigation, or enhancement measures.
Following this, a suite of breeding bird and bat activity surveys were conducted throughout the 2024 survey season. The survey results informed detailed mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction phase to safeguard protected and notable species, as well as a range of enhancement measures incorporated into the design scheme. These include the installation of integrated swift bricks and bat boxes, insect towers, and ‘hedgehog highways’, all aimed at increasing opportunities for wildlife and enhancing biodiversity post-development.
Habitat creation and enhancement measures, developed in collaboration with the Landscape Team and informed by the above ecological assessments, are reflected in the Site’s Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment, which will secure an on-site net gain increase of 38.53% for habitat units and 97.78% for hedgerow units post-development.
Additionally, a Sensitive Lighting Strategy, developed in consultation with the client’s lighting engineer, is to be implemented to ensure that external lighting will not adversely affect foraging and commuting bats or other light-sensitive nocturnal wildlife.
The Landscape team provided a Landscape Masterplan, Detailed Planting Plans and worked closely with Playdale Playgrounds to design the play area. The design includes planting proposals with trees, meadow mixes, native shrubs, hedgerows and amenity grassland within the primary Public Open Space that will create a central point for recreation, where natural play features and informal play area are incorporated. Particular emphasis is given to the biodiversity benefit with the creation of habitat areas, promoted through native planting and extensive wildflower meadows. The work included working with the Council to produce a layout to meet their expectations and included responding to Doncaster’s Public Open Space officer, planning, urban design, and highways officers.
Following planning approval, we are currently working with Stonebridge Homes to discharge a number of landscape planning conditions, and we hope to see the conditions discharged and the scheme start to take shape on site.
Client Benefits
- A design that had a strong green infrastructure to not only complement the development, but to also integrate it into the surrounding countryside
- Biodiversity net gain increase of 38.53% for habitat units and 97.78% for hedgerow units post-development achieved – a space for both people and nature
Client Testimonial
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your team’s support throughout the application process – nearly two years since we first began work on it. Your input has been greatly appreciated.
Katie Purdam Planning Manager, Stonebridge
