Cotswold Canals Connected Achieves Prestigious Building with Nature Award

The Cotswold Canals Connected partnership is delighted to announce that the project has been awarded the prestigious Building with Nature Full Award, recognising the exceptional delivery of high-quality green infrastructure that benefits both people and wildlife. The award was formally issued on 23 September 2026 following an independent assessment against the nationally recognised Building with Nature Standards Framework.

Building with Nature is the UK's benchmark for green infrastructure and recognises developments and projects that successfully integrate nature, wellbeing, water management and biodiversity into their design, delivery and long-term stewardship. The accreditation confirms that the Cotswold Canals Connected project has demonstrated excellence in creating a landscape that will deliver lasting environmental, social and economic benefits.

The accreditation recognises the transformation of the canal corridor into a multifunctional network of blue and green infrastructure. The project is restoring the Stroudwater Canal while creating significant new habitats, improving access to nature, supporting active travel, enhancing water management and delivering long-term benefits for local communities and wildlife.

Key achievements include the creation of what will become, once established, more than 21 hectares of priority habitat, 4km of new species-rich hedgerows, 2km of wildflower-rich towpath verges, a new community orchard, enhanced wetland habitats, and improved ecological connectivity across the Severn Vale.

The project was assessed against Building with Nature's rigorous standards covering three core themes:

• Wellbeing: Creating accessible spaces that support health, recreation, learning and community engagement.
• Water: Delivering sustainable water management, flood resilience and improved water quality.
• Wildlife: Achieving substantial biodiversity gains through habitat creation, ecological restoration and long-term stewardship.

The judges also recognised the project's commitment to long-term management, with plans in place to maintain and monitor environmental enhancements for at least 25 years after completion.

Cllr Chloe Turner, Leader of the Council and member of the Cotswold Canals Connected Project Board, said:

"Achieving the Building with Nature Full Award is a tremendous endorsement of the vision and hard work that has gone into the Cotswold Canals Connected project. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund we set out to deliver far more than a canal restoration project. We wanted to create a landscape that supports nature recovery, improves access to the countryside, encourages healthier lifestyles and leaves a lasting legacy for future generations.

“This accreditation demonstrates that the project is delivering meaningful benefits for both people and wildlife and provides independent recognition of the high environmental standards that have guided every stage of the scheme."

The award is particularly significant because Building with Nature is widely regarded as the UK's leading standard for green infrastructure. The accreditation provides independent assurance that the project has successfully combined heritage restoration with climate resilience, biodiversity enhancement and community wellbeing.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has led the environmental programme, working in partnership with the Cotswold Canals Trust, Stroud District Council, Stroud Valleys Project and numerous community organisations.

The Cotswold Canals Connected project has already transformed access to the canal corridor while creating opportunities for volunteering, education, active travel and wildlife conservation.

Pete Savage, Canal Environment Consultant at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, said:

“We're delighted that the Cotswold Canals Connected project has received this award. It shows what can be achieved when organisations, volunteers and local communities work together for nature. Not only is the project helping wildlife thrive, it’s also giving more people the chance to connect with the natural world and feel part of its future.

"Through the ongoing management of canal habitats and the continued transformation of the reserve at Fromebridge, we and our volunteers are creating spaces where both wildlife and people can flourish.”