Refurbishment specialist says its ‘now or never’ to become sustainable

In a new initiative to improve the UK’s green spaces, Willmott Dixon Interiors has committed to planting 100,000 trees nationally by 2030.

The company aims to ensure it produces no direct carbon emissions in day to day operations by 2030.

In an effort to deliver it’s ‘Now or Never’ sustainability strategy, Willmott Dixon has completed a woodland restoration project at Lickey Hills Country Park in Birmingham with The Conservation Volunteers and next on the list is Wolverhampton, where 600 trees will be planted in February.

At Lickey Hills, almost 700 trees were planted on the 524-acre estate of a mix of native species, which will enhance the park’s biodiversity. Five separate tree planting events are occurring across the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the South East this year which will create 70 internal volunteering positions.

Phil Crowther, regional director of Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “Environmental net gain means leaving the environment in a measurably better state than before. It’s all about improving health and wellbeing by creating green spaces for people and nature.

“Our partnership with The Conservation Volunteers will help us to ensure the success and longevity of the project at the Lickey Hills but the approach isn’t solely focused on tree planting.”

Chairman, Rick Willmott said: “The built environment is a major contributor of global carbon emissions and is one of the world’s greatest consumers of natural resources. We must radically reduce the negative impact that our sector has on the natural world by minimising our resource use and eliminating carbon emissions.”

Currently, Willmott Dixon is carrying out the £38m refurbishment of Wolverhampton’s Civic Halls. The firm says it will keep the original features of the 1930’s building whilst creating a new concert venue and tiered seating with a new back of house, office and bars.

In addition, the company is turning 8 and 10 Brindleyplace into one building, with a single floor by floor office space of 212,000 sq ft over 12 floors. The £38.8m development will include new fitness facilities, with a fitness studio and bouldering wall, cycle storage for 100 bicycles, electric vehicle charging and two communal landscaped roof terraces.