Steel Signing at Lower Derwent Valley Volunteer, Community and Nature Recovery Science Hub

We are proud to be delivering the new Volunteer, Community and Nature Recovery Science Hub at the Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve. As the principal contractor, we recently celebrated a key milestone in this £2.7 million project with a steel signing ceremony, marking visible progress and honouring the contributions of everyone involved. The project was procured via the Procure Partnerships framework.

The Lower Derwent Valley is one of the UK’s most important sites for biodiversity. It provides vital habitat for rare and threatened breeding birds, as well as internationally significant populations of wintering species. It is also home to some of the country’s last remaining unimproved, seasonally flooded hay meadows, making it a crucial focus for long-term conservation.

Through this landmark development, we are creating a hub that will serve as a centre for environmental science, education and wellbeing. The facility will feature a wildlife watchtower, laboratory, meeting space, and overnight bunk accommodation for visiting researchers and student groups. It will also host training and skills development opportunities, encouraging wider participation in conservation and nature recovery.

We share the reserve’s long-term vision for sustainable growth and increased access to nature. This hub will help connect communities with the environment, reduce barriers to scientific research, and strengthen understanding of birdlife of European importance. With around 40,000 people visiting the reserve each year, the new facility will enhance these experiences while supporting vital conservation outcomes.

Sustainability sits at the heart of our approach. We are employing modern methods of construction to ensure a high-quality build with minimal environmental impact. Materials have been carefully chosen to complement the surrounding landscape and support a biodiversity net gain to protect and enhance local habitats.

This scheme is being delivered under our award-winning Britcon Zero strategy, which champions carbon-neutral construction, supports local suppliers, and maximises community benefit. As a regionally based, certified carbon neutral business, we are committed to delivering positive outcomes for people, places and nature.

Just ahead of National Nature Reserves Week, we joined Natural England staff and volunteers on site on 19th of May to sign one of the building’s structural steel beams. It was a proud and symbolic moment, representing how far we’ve come and celebrating the collective effort that continues to drive the project forward.

The Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve spans over 600 hectares of floodplain meadows along the River Derwent in Yorkshire. It is a truly special place, and we are proud to be playing a role in safeguarding its future through this collaborative, sustainable and community-focused development.

We are working closely with DEFRA, Natural England, and our project partners, including RLB UK, who are providing project management, design oversight and coordination services.

Craig Ralston, Senior Reserve Manager at Natural England, said:

“The Lower Derwent Valley NNR is as important for its grassland and breeding and wintering grounds for birds as York Minster and its Roman walls are to York’s history.  Both the built heritage of York and the internationally important floodplains of the Lower Derwent Valley are up there on the world stage, and this investment will help us build and grow upon that to help nature recover.

“This new facility is a unique opportunity to research, restore and protect nature, both within the reserve and across the wider landscape, by working closely with our partners and local communities. 

“We know that growth will be even better for people if it’s nature positive. The new volunteer, community and nature recovery science hub will be a powerful tool with multiple benefits. Once completed, it will break down research barriers for the reserve’s birdlife, which are of European significance, and build sustainable growth for future visitor numbers. This will ensure that that local communities have easy access to the opportunities and benefits that come from a healthy natural environment.” 

Don Stewart, Strategic Director, also commented on the project:

“We are incredibly proud to be leading the delivery of this important research and community hub in such a nationally significant setting. Through our Britcon Zero approach, we are committed to sustainable construction and long-term social value. This project is a perfect example of both. It is a privilege to help build a space that will support nature recovery, facilitate cutting-edge scientific work and offer people opportunities to connect with the natural world and improve their wellbeing.”

You can read more about this project here.