New green boost for business park

A reed bed is being created at a business park to provide drainage and boost the site's environment.Whetstone firm Westleigh Developments is doing the work at Watermead Business Park, Thurmaston.

The Raynsway Group site, off the A607, is home to four major businesses - Bentley, Flogas UK, Lafarge Aggregates and AMEC. Plans for the remaining 15 acres are in discussion.

The reed bed, opposite the Bentley showroom, will act as a natural water tank and become an environmental feature of the development.

Tom Watkinson, managing director of Raynsway Group, said: "While reed beds act as natural drainage, they also serve a very important ecological purpose, attracting wild plants and in particular birdlife.

"Once established, they require very little maintenance.

"This substantial reed bed will help enhance the environmental features of the development, benefiting all those who will work alongside it as well as the wider community for years to come.

"It also signifies an important next step in this project.

"We are very ready to progress with the scheme and are in talks with a number of high profile companies that hope to relocate here."