Social value at Buckler’s Park
Legal & General Homes is a new housebuilder, notable not just for the quality of the communities it is delivering but for its commitment to doing things differently. It is the first housebuilder in the UK to formally incorporate social value into its developments, helping ensure that the places it brings to life are inclusive and benefit their surrounding areas.
Its first development is Buckler’s Park in Crowthorne, Berkshire, where Legal & General Homes’ team has been working to create physical, economic, environmental and social benefits for the area since long before the first residents arrived in September 2018.
Once complete Buckler’s Park will house a new community of over 1,000 homes. A 100-acre country park is returning previously inaccessible land to public use; the expansion of Crowthorne Church of England Primary School will bring much-needed primary school places to the area; a new care home will bring families closer together and a range of shops will open to complement the existing high street.
Through the hard work of the business and the local community, Legal & General Homes has to date delivered £4,096,422 of social value for Crowthorne.
Delivered to date:
- £4,096,422 of social value
- quarterly £2,000 charitable grants
- employees spending 287.5 hours volunteering in Crowthorne
- 81 out of the 90 people hired are locals, out of which six young people who were not in education, employment or training (NEETs) and two long-term unemployed and one rehabilitating offender
Creating healthier, safer and more resilient communities
In August 2017, before the foundations had been laid for the first home, Legal & General Homes worked with the Social Value Portal to develop and sign the first Social Value Charter in the UK. The aim was – and is – to monitor and communicate how much value its developments produce to the benefit of local people, ensuring a resilient, first rate and sustainable community is created.
In developing this, Legal & General Homes consulted with local businesses, faith groups, traders and parish councils and surveyed over 430 private residents to gather opinions. The resulting Social Value Charter has empowered local people and Legal & General Homes to narrow down the needs, priorities, challenges and opportunities that Crowthorne might face. This has allowed Legal & General Homes to channel its efforts into things that matter most to Crowthorne residents – from traffic and public transport to employment and the local high street.
Our ethos is that we should build houses and communities where we would be happy to live with our own families. To do so we need to listen to what our communities want, which is reflected in our approach to social value. – John Allan, Managing Director, Legal & General Homes
Promoting social innovation
Crowthorne is a place with genuine community spirit – from church groups and school fundraising to the annual carnival – and residents are often giving their time and money to charitable causes. There are many to choose from, and priorities can change – which is why the recipients of Legal & General Homes’ quarterly £2,000 charitable grant are chosen by the people who know best.
Residents can vote for one of three charities each quarter at the Buckler’s Park Visitors Centre. The charity with the most votes receives the largest portion of the grant, ensuring the funds go to the causes most important to local people. Most recently the fund was shared by the Crowthorne Royal British Legion, Sebastian’s Action Trust and COATS, with over 320 votes placed to determine the top choice.
Employees have also spent 287.5 hours volunteering in Crowthorne, giving their time to initiatives such as regular community litter picks and carrying out much-needed refurbishments at a painting day at Edgbarrow School. At nearby Oaklands Junior School, Legal & General Homes worked with leadership team to design the Big Red Bus project – a new ‘learning chill-out zone’ for the children which was delivered with the support of the business’ sub-contractors.
Supporting the growth of local businesses
Crowthorne’s existing businesses and organisations – the florists, churches and the high-street tearooms – will be an important part of life for residents at Buckler’s Park, who also represent new visitors, customers and opportunities for traders. Already, Legal & General Homes is helping make these businesses known to new residents through initiatives such as the welcome hamper, which are supplied by the local butcher.
For Legal & General Homes, building relationships with these organisations is vital. That is why in April 2018 it appointed independent community coordinator Meena Bahra to act as the dedicated conduit between the developer and the community – an identifiable face through whom opportunities, queries and concerns can be channelled.
These connections were best displayed when local businesses and residents were invited to be part of the July 2018 Summer Celebration launch event, so that when prospective buyers had their first chance to view the show homes at Buckler’s Park they also got a flavour of the wider community they would be joining.
We understand the importance of a two-way dialogue from the outset, so that our investment in Buckler’s Park has the most positive impact it can. There’s been a recognisable positive impact on the community already and this is only year one – there’s a palpable excitement among all of us when we consider what’s still to come.
These relationships also helped Legal & General Homes identify a need for new Christmas lights in the centre of the village; it partnered with the Crowthorne Traders Association and donated £7,912 for new decorations that will be enjoyed by residents old and new for years to come.
Promoting skills and employment
In a challenging economic climate it is no surprise that for many locals, employment and training are a large concern. Legal & General Homes understands the impact that the right employment decisions can have on individuals and communities: so far, 81 out of the 90 people hired at Buckler’s Park have come from the local area, including those who may struggle to gain employment elsewhere: six young people who were not in education, employment or training (NEETs) and two long-term unemployed and one rehabilitating offender have all found work at Buckler’s Park.
Legal & General Homes is also going far beyond its own site and offices by offering help to local people before they reach employment – hosting mock interviews for Bracknell & Wokingham College students in June 2018 with more CV and interview sessions planned in the coming months.
Protecting and improving our environment
Sustainability and the environment are at the heart of Buckler’s Park – before, during and after construction. 410,000m3 of material which would usually be discarded has been used in the construction of roads, footpaths, cycle ways and parking areas on site. In not having to remove this waste, 27,000 HGV movements have been saved – vastly reducing CO2 emissions.
It doesn’t stop when the houses are finished. Each property includes a Hive electronic thermostat and multiple heating zones as standard, helping residents manage their energy usage – good for the planet, and good for their savings.
Community wellbeing is integrated into the design of the whole development. Shared spaces include allotments, a central hub and the new Buckler’s Forest. The parkland – which include 20,000 new trees – will protect and enhance local biodiversity, supporting flora and fauna while providing a new place for walks and outdoor activities, relieving the pressure on the trails in Swinley Forest. The design also references the site’s heritage as the former Transport Research Laboratory – a major local employer – with the skid pan and test track now
