Biodiversity milestone is achieved

A Cadent gas pressure management site in Craven Arms has secured The Wildlife Trust's Biodiversity Benchmark for land management, marking a major environmental milestone for the UK’s largest gas distribution network.

The site, located in the small market town known as the Gateway to the Marches and set on the edge of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, becomes the latest Cadent location to achieve this respected accreditation.

Cadent says this will be “the first of many” in the region, with several other sites already progressing through the assessment process.

The Craven Arms site plays a vital role in ensuring gas safely reaches homes, businesses, and essential services across south Shropshire. It manages gas pressure as it moves through the network and supports reliable heating for thousands of customers.

At the same time, the site sits within an ecologically rich landscape, surrounded by grassland, hedgerows, woodland and habitats that support birds, bats, and other protected species, features highlighted in ecological assessments of the wider Craven Arms area. This combination of operational importance and environmental sensitivity made the site an ideal candidate for the Biodiversity Benchmark.

Following detailed onsite visits, The Wildlife Trust's Biodiversity Benchmark assessor praised the positive steps already taken by Cadent’s local team and endorsed the company’s future plans for the site.

These include planting additional native trees and hedgerows, enhancing grassland areas to support pollinators, creating improved habitats for bats and breeding birds, and developing features that contribute to long-term biodiversity net gain. The assessor will return periodically to monitor progress and ensure the site continues to meet the Benchmark’s high standards.

Phil McCartney, head of safety and engineering at Cadent, said: “We are incredibly proud to have achieved the  Biodiversity Benchmark at Craven Arms. It reflects the hard work of our teams and our commitment to operating in a way that supports the landscapes and communities we serve.

“Our role is to keep people warm in their homes while protecting the planet. Independent assessments like this help us demonstrate that commitment clearly and transparently. Craven Arms is a fantastic example of how our operational sites can become places to support nature while keeping the energy flowing.” 

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network, operating more than 80,000 miles of underground pipelines and thousands of above-ground installations. The network delivers gas safely to over 11 million customers, heating homes, hospitals, schools, offices, and supporting industry and electricity generation.

Emma Price-Thomas, head of corporate partnerships at The Wildlife Trust, said: “Congratulations to Cadent Gas for achieving The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark for land management at its Craven Arms site in Shropshire. Achieving this challenging standard is testament to Cadent Gas’ commitment to protecting and improving wildlife on this site and shows that it is possible to protect and enhance biodiversity, even when the site is small.”

Pictured: Phil McCartney at the Craven Arms site