Silverlake, Dorset

Silverlake, a former sand quarry and one of three sites owned by Habitat First Group, was acquired in 2012 and its transformation into a residential (second home) nature reserve began. The driving aspiration of Habitat First Group is to bring people, ecology and award-winning architecture together in perfect harmony and this is showcased in Silverlake's Beaumont Village.

Silverlake is a nature-inclusive estate, bringing wildlife to the heart of the development, reconnecting people to the outdoors and enhancing wellbeing. Benefits are delivered both within the boundary of the scheme & beyond, contributing to catchment-scale water sensitive design & management. Its green infrastructure forms a multifunctional network that delivers ecological services and quality of life benefits to the residents of the Estate and local communities nearby.
The landscape within the development has been designed to fit seamlessly into the local character area; to boost biodiversity; to maximise bioretention; and, to provide year round interest to residents and wildlife. The unique 'biophilic' design of the Estate fully immerses people in nature, which optimises physical and mental wellbeing.

Significant conservation benefits are delivered onsite by ensuring SuDs and landscaping are designed for functionality as well as for biodiversity and climate change mitigation and, by making space for nature wherever possible. Conservation projects are targeted at species of conservation concern and include Dormice, Sand martins, Swifts, Bats, Barn owls, and Silver-studded blue butterfly. A bespoke bat house was built for Brown long-eared bats and bat boxes were installed on each outbuilding in Beaumont Village. As part of its Species Recovery Programme, SVL has secured the 7th population of Heath lobelia in the first ever translocation of this rare species.

The Estate was accredited with the Building with Nature Design Award for the entire Masterplan & Building with Nature Full Award (Excellent) for Beaumont Village in 2019.