Ravenscraig, one of Europe’s largest brownfield regeneration sites, has been commended in the 2026 International Green Apple Environment Awards for biodiversity and sustainability work.
The North Lanarkshire site was named a Commended winner in the Property & Estate Management sector’s Environmental Improvement category. The awards are organised by The Green Organisation to recognise environmental best practice.
A 13-acre woodland, planted and maintained in partnership with the Sustainable Woodland Company, is expected to eventually include around 3,200 trees, including fruit trees, creating new habitats across the former steelworks site.
Primary 5 pupils from Our Lady & St Francis Primary School in Carfin have visited the site to learn about local biodiversity, while old tree guards are being reused to reduce the volume sent to landfill.
Bee colonies have also been introduced to support pollination across the woodland and surrounding habitats, adding to established butterfly areas. Newt ponds, butterfly mounds and plover nesting fields provide further breeding grounds and habitats, alongside ongoing efforts to protect ancient woodland on the site.
Ravenscraig Limited also commits approximately £200,000 a year to the local circular bus service, maintaining transport connections to jobs, education and amenities as development continues, while aiming to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Russell Wilkie, director at Ravenscraig Limited, said: “Ravenscraig is a regeneration project on a significant scale and we have an opportunity to ensure its transformation delivers lasting benefits for the environment as well as the communities around us as the masterplan is developed.
“From protecting the ancient woodland and creating a new woodland and various habitats to supporting sustainable transport, we are continuing to invest in biodiversity and make sustainability part of Ravenscraig’s long-term regeneration. Receiving a Green Apple Award is great recognition of the work being delivered across the site and the commitment of everyone involved.”
The award will be formally presented at a ceremony at the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, in November.
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