Creating a sustainable, biodiverse environment and designing homes which promote residents’ wellbeing are twin priorities for award-winning Wellbank, a housebuilding project with a difference in the world-famous Lake District National Park.

Environment and wellbeing go hand in hand, which is why those behind this development in a stunning location at Bootle between the Lake District fells and Cumbrian coast, are so passionate about turning their vision into a reality.

Wellbank is an exemplar scheme in so many ways. It has already won an award for the way it embraces its environment in such a beautiful part of the world.

Now it is employing a specialist landscape designer to create an even more sustainable and biodiverse environment on a site where homeowners have three distinct ways to achieve their dream Lake District home, with options to:

buy a plot and design their own home;
buy a plot and choose from a range of designs and pick their own lay-out and fit out;
opt to move into a ready-built home.

Janet Nuttall, site owner at Wellbank, said: “When I had the opportunity to get involved in the construction industry as a site owner at Wellbank – I was determined to do things differently.

“Wellbank is unique. It’s the only site in the Lake District National Park, or any national park in England that I am aware of, which is offering the opportunity for homeowners to have a self-build, or custom-build, home in this way.

“Wellbank’s environment is so special. Biodiversity and sustainability are really important to us – and we are not just talking about it, we are not ticking boxes, we are actually doing it.

“We are very proud of the environment we are creating at Wellbank with all the planting and the ponds and providing spacious plots because we know how much having this extra space and the natural environment promotes physical and mental wellbeing for everyone who lives here.

“We have won an award for our swale system where surface water goes into open water courses which feed two big ponds and then into wetland areas.

“We are creating communal green areas on site, we are planting trees and planting hedges, all to create a natural environment which encourages native species to thrive.

“We also insist – through our Design Code agreed with the Lake District National Park Authority that at least 30 per cent of the energy in homes at Wellbank is sourced from renewables – from solar or air source heat pumps, so that we are being kind to the stunning environment which surrounds us and protecting it for future generations.

“Living in such a green and natural environment has long since been said to improve people’s mental health. It also encourages better physical health, with pathways and cycleways to the Lake District’s world-renowned fells, and lakes on the doorstep.”

Tom Hinson, landscape designer, is leading the plans to help Wellbank maximise the sustainability and diversity of its environment.

Planting which supports wildlife, sustainable drainage via planted swales, and using native species are all part of the plans which are already starting to take shape.

Tom said: “The way we are creating the Wellbank environment is a net gain for biodiversity as we are creating a unique habitat which supports the eco-system of the wider area with other Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) such as nearby Eskmeals and Hodbarrow.

“Wellbank is unique in so many ways. We are using nature and natural solutions to hold the water on site – and use that as filtration.

“We are using swales which run through the Wellbank site so that any water which lands on hard surfaces runs into these swales and then slowly into a retention pond.

“The drainage system which was designed to achieve this has already won an engineering award.”

Tom, who completed a post graduate diploma in Garden Design, is designing communal landscapes – so that the planting and design encourages homeowners to enjoy this aspect of living on the site, so they engage and enjoy the environment.

He said: “We are looking to create a viewing platform over the main pond. These wetlands are a feature of Wellbank and as well as the planting encouraging pollinators like bees and butterflies, these areas will also encourage birds to drink there, and frogs and toads to enjoy these habitats.

“For our tree planting we will have half fruit trees and half berry trees which encourage native creatures and provide woodland animals with places to live.

“Homeowners are also encouraged to plant a tree on their plot, which will further enhance the environment.

“It’s going to be wonderful to see it all come together over the next few months as spring gives way to summer.”

As well as a site for 45 homes, Wellbank will also include a hub with swimming pool, spa, café, bar and restaurant, all accessible to the wider community.

Wellbank has just launched the second phase of 17 available plots on its 12-acre site. Prices for plots start at £125,000.
www.wellbankpark.co.uk

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