BARRATT SPONSORS FEATURE AT EUROPEAN GARDEN OF THE YEAR AT RHS BRIDGEWATER

The 154-acre RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, which opened in May 2021, is the first RHS garden built in an urban area. Billed as Europe’s “biggest hands-on horticultural project”, RHS Bridgewater has been an enormous regeneration project on the former grounds of Worsley New Hall, once owned by the Earl of Ellesmere.

Barratt Developments recently launched a partnership with RHS Bridgewater and sponsored a water feature within the Tom Stuart-Smith-designed Paradise Garden, which is at the heart of the 11-acre Weston Walled Garden.
The garden was shortlisted in the ‘Design or Concept of a Contemporary Park or Garden’ category, and came out on top in the esteemed European Garden Awards.

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, and Deputy Mayor, Tracy Kelly, recently joined Richard Green, Head of Site at RHS Bridgewater, for an informal event to mark the start of the new partnership with Barratt Developments.

Also, attending the event was Michael Brown from the University of Salford, Barratt’s partner for two industry-leading zero carbon projects – Zed House and Energy House. Among the Barratt Developments attendees were Dave Hesson, a Regional Managing Director, Sarah Pratt, Head of Corporate Sustainability, and Brain Hawtin, Head Landscaper.

David Hesson, a Regional Managing Director with Barratt Developments, said: “RHS Bridgewater is unlike any other garden created by the RHS, as it is the first community-led garden and aims to be its most diverse and inclusive. We share important values around sustainability and regeneration to not only create spaces for communities to come together to enjoy nature, but to create a lasting legacy for future generations.”

Richard Green, Head of Site at RHS Bridgewater, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Barratt Developments just as we celebrate one year since opening RHS Bridgewater and welcoming half a million visitors. This generous sponsorship will enable us to continue inspiring the people of the North West with world-class horticulture for many years to come.”

Amongst the attractions at RHS Bridgewater are a community wellbeing and community grow garden, where local people can be involved with the project. Other facilities include a bespoke Learning Studio, Peel Learning Garden and Woodland Play area.

Earlier this year, the impressive Welcome Building was praised for its “sustainable and engaging” design and was crowned by the Royal Institute of British Architects as the North West Building of the Year.