A WORCESTER-BASED development firm has won a national award for its part in a new development.

Matthews City and Country Homes won the Natural England West Midlands Conservation Award for their development of 35 homes at Burlingham Square, London Road.

The award is given to recognise outstanding achievement in wildlife conservation.

Natural England, who are the Government’s advisors on protecting the natural environment, praised Matthews City and Country Homes for going ‘above and beyond’ in their work with protected species on site.

Such work included the provision of newly built habitats, setts, foraging areas and specialist tunnels to enable uninterrupted movement of such species throughout the site, allowing protected species to flourish on site while the new homes continue to be delivered.

Chris Matthews, commercial director, said “It was an honour to be the only house builder to be nominated for the award but to go and win made it extra special.

"Often house building is considered damaging to the local environment; however, this award demonstrates that our positive and proactive approach to ecology has allowed protected species to thrive alongside the development of our new homes.

"Our development at Burlingham Square is more than just bricks and mortar and we believe we have delivered a community within which the local environment plays a central role."

The Burlingham Square development contains six luxury two-bedroom apartments, 11 three-bedroom houses and four four-bedroom detached houses.

Natural England, based in Worcester, is the government's environmental protection advice service and is sponsored by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

It gives advice and information on a range of environmental issues such as land management, recreation, camping, bats and bird life.