Accreditation

Building with Nature & A Different Approach

At A Different Approach (ADA), we believe rural communities deserve housing solutions that strengthen local life without compromising the landscapes and ecosystems that make those places special. Our work brings together communities, local authorities and delivery partners to create housing that responds to real needs—today and for future generations.

Building with Nature aligns naturally with this philosophy. It is an independent benchmark that helps ensure green infrastructure is not treated as “leftover space”, but as essential infrastructure—supporting wellbeing, climate resilience, water management, biodiversity and long-term stewardship.

Why Building with Nature fits the ADA way of working

ADA’s approach is rooted in three connected priorities:

Community empowerment

The best places are shaped with the people who will live there. Building with Nature strengthens this by encouraging green infrastructure that is usable and welcoming—bringing nature closer to home, supporting year-round enjoyment, and creating opportunities for local pride and stewardship.

Sustainable development

We prioritise long-term environmental sustainability as part of placemaking. Building with Nature turns this into clear, evidence-based standards—covering climate resilience, low-carbon behaviours, water-sensitive design, and nature recovery—so sustainability remains central from early design through delivery.

Economic resilience

Thriving rural communities need more than homes—they need the conditions for local livelihoods. Well-designed, well-managed green infrastructure supports long-term resilience by creating attractive, functional places that people want to live and work in, helping communities remain vibrant over time.

What Building with Nature adds in practice

Building with Nature complements ADA’s different approach by helping to:

  • Make ambition measurable – translating aims like wellbeing, nature recovery and climate resilience into standards that can be evidenced.
  • Protect quality through delivery – reducing the risk that green infrastructure is diluted later due to cost or programme pressures.
  • Support long-life stewardship – reinforcing management and maintenance so benefits last beyond handover.

Put simply: it supports outcomes in use, not just at planning.

Collaton Park: demonstrating the alignment

Collaton Park shows how ADA’s philosophy and Building with Nature accreditation reinforce one another. The scheme has achieved Building with Nature Full Accreditation (Subject to Sign-Off), recognising a holistic green infrastructure approach for people, water and wildlife.

Connected and multi-functional

Green infrastructure works as a network—linking spaces, routes and habitats—so features deliver multiple benefits together, rather than acting in isolation.

Water-sensitive and resilient

Water management is integrated into the landscape using above-ground, nature-based features that support flood resilience, protect water quality and contribute to a healthier, more hydrated environment. Water is also treated as an asset for placemaking, adding amenity and wildlife value.

Nature-rich, with recovery built in

The approach supports net benefits for wildlife by retaining and enhancing ecological assets, creating locally relevant habitat, and strengthening connectivity beyond the site boundary through direct links and stepping-stone habitats.

Planned for long-term care

Building with Nature places strong emphasis on place-keeping—clear arrangements that help safeguard the function and quality of green infrastructure over time, not just at completion.

What “Subject to Sign-Off” means

“Subject to Sign-Off” is an important milestone, and it also sets a clear next step: the final Full Award ‘Signed Off’ can be confirmed following a successful post-construction (in-use) check (carried out no sooner than 12 months after completion). This reflects ADA’s focus on ensuring that what is promised in design is delivered in reality, and continues to perform for residents and the wider landscape.

How this shapes future ADA projects

Aligning ADA’s work with Building with Nature strengthens four commitments we already hold:

Nature and water as infrastructure – planned as connected networks, not leftover spaces.

Biodiversity designed-in early – protecting what is already valuable and creating locally relevant habitat from the start.

Inclusive, everyday experience – green spaces that are accessible, comfortable and usable for a wide range of people.

Stewardship as standard – clear responsibilities, management plans and practical guidance that help places thrive long after completion.

This is what we mean by A Different Approach: housing that supports strong communities, works with the character of place, and delivers lasting value for people and nature.