Bicester Village Social Value Project
Social Value Project at Bicester Village
As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful social value within the communities connected to our construction work, we identified an opportunity to deliver a Social Value Project in support of a local initiative near our Bicester Village site.
Working alongside The Cherwell Collective, we donated our time and resources to help restore their community garden space. After falling into disrepair, it made several raised planting beds, the greenhouse, and footpaths unsafe for residents and community groups to use. We have now helped transform the garden into a vibrant, welcoming space that everyone can enjoy.
The completed Community Garden renovations
Community Project Work
The works included dismantling and safely disposing of a derelict greenhouse, together with the removal of all associated waste materials. The team cleaned up and repaired the existing concrete pathways to improve accessibility across the site, including replacing damaged sections to enhance disabled access. Raised planting beds were created and refreshed with new topsoil, while existing timber planters were repaired using replacement timber and finished with a new weatherproof coating. In addition, new timber seating was installed within a shaded area to provide a practical and comfortable space for children during break times.
Overall, we were proud to contribute £6,065 towards the project. This investment covered essential materials, plant and equipment hire, waste management, transport costs, and skilled labour required to complete the works. The project total also included man-hours donated in-kind through management meetings and the provision of four groundworkers over a 3–4 day period to undertake the project works, further supporting the successful delivery of the project.
Natta and the Cherwell Community in the new Garden.
The Cherwell Collective
The Cherwell Collective works to reduce the carbon footprint of communities through climate action, wellbeing initiatives, and behavioural change programmes. Their unique approach to climate promotes holistic well-being for both the planet and the community.
One of their initiatives, Harvest at Home, helps empower individuals to grow their own food. They use the skills learned within the community green space gardens managed by the organisation.
Amanda Groom, Harvest at Home Bicester Lead, commented: “Tending to the Garth Garden has created a wonderful community of friends and neighbours who meet regularly, year-round, to share food, flowers and friendship. The vandalism of the greenhouse last Autumn put a stop to this until Natta stepped in to make the space safe and usable again. Now we are all incredibly grateful and overjoyed to be back in our happy space. Thank you, Natta!”
Progress photos from the community project.
Bicester Village Project
Natta is working in Bicester Village as Main Contractor for Value Retail. Our scope of work includes the construction of a car park, Section 278 works, Vehicular and pedestrian bridges, and the development of a public park. All four key areas of this project are progressing well. We are currently working on the new car park consisting of 550 spaces and creating a green park public open area with picnic spaces. The preparation to start the Section 278 highway infrastructure improvement works will also begin soon.
The works form part of the ongoing improvements to the village and its surrounding infrastructure. The aim is to enhance access, capability, and quality through a combination of transport infrastructure and highway alterations.
Natta Social Value
Construction projects have a lasting impact on surrounding communities. At Natta, we are passionate about creating a positive legacy through initiatives such as this social value project. By supporting local organisations in the areas where we work, we aim to deliver social value alongside our construction projects and make a positive difference within local communities.
A huge thank you to everyone involved who donated their time and effort to help bring this social value project to life.
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