Woodbourne Group shortlisted for ‘Canalside Black Lake’ 2024
Woodbourne Group is proud to announce that we have been shortlisted at the prestigious RESI Awards 2024 for our landmark residential scheme, Canalside Black Lake. This recognition places our work among the most impactful and forward-thinking developments in the UK property sector and underscores our commitment to sustainable placemaking, community-led regeneration, and innovative design.
The RESI Awards, organised by Property Week, are among the most respected accolades in the UK real estate industry, celebrating the very best across residential development, investment, innovation, and placemaking. Each year, the awards highlight organisations that are shaping the future of UK housing—from large-scale master developers to boutique innovators demonstrating excellence and impact. To be shortlisted represents a major achievement and signals how highly our work is regarded at a national level.
A New Benchmark for Sustainable Living: Canalside Black Lake
Our shortlisted project, Canalside Black Lake, is a standout example of how thoughtful design, sustainability principles, and community connectivity can come together to redefine modern residential living. Situated within the heart of the Black Country, the development represents a bold vision for high-quality homes integrated seamlessly into their historic natural surroundings.
This pioneering scheme was the first private development to receive the ‘Black Country Garden City’ accreditation, a rigorous standard that evaluates developments across a broad set of sustainability and lifestyle metrics. To achieve this recognition, schemes must demonstrate excellence in:
- Eco-sensitive planting and natural landscape integration
- Enhancing connectivity to surrounding neighbourhoods and transport routes
- High-quality architecture and accessible public realm
- Adaptability for evolving work patterns, including home-working
- Sustainable construction methods and reduced environmental impact
- Promotion of healthier, active lifestyles for residents
By meeting and exceeding these criteria, Canalside Black Lake has set a new benchmark for thoughtful residential regeneration within the region.
Regeneration Rooted in Place and Purpose
The location of Canalside Black Lake is central to its story. Built alongside one of the region’s historic waterways, the scheme reconnects residents with the natural environment—an attribute that aligns perfectly with the Black Country’s ambitions for green growth.
For decades, this area carried a reputation shaped by post-industrial decline. Today, developments like Canalside Black Lake demonstrate what is possible when innovation, sustainability, and a strong sense of place come together.
Woodbourne Group’s vision for the scheme has always centred on:
- Reviving historic canal corridors into vibrant public spaces
- Strengthening community identity through high-quality urban design
- Creating long-term value for residents and the wider region
- Supporting local biodiversity with green spaces and naturalised landscaping
- Promoting low-carbon living through enhanced building performance and future-proof design
This approach has not only produced an award-winning development but also positioned Canalside Black Lake as a blueprint for the next generation of residential regeneration across the West Midlands.
A Recognition of Vision, Talent, and Dedication
Being shortlisted for the RESI Awards is a milestone for Woodbourne Group and a reflection of the dedication of our entire team. Each member—from planning and architecture to construction and community engagement—has contributed to bringing this ambitious scheme to life.
The RESI Awards judging panel reviews hundreds of entries, selecting only those that demonstrate true excellence, innovation, and impact on the UK housing landscape. To be recognised at this level highlights both the calibre of our work and our organisation’s growing influence in national development conversations.
Celebrating Excellence at the RESI Awards 2024
The RESI Awards ceremony will take place on May 16th 2024, bringing together hundreds of the industry’s leading developers, investors, architects, policymakers, and visionaries. We look forward to celebrating alongside fellow finalists and connecting with peers who share our dedication to building better, more resilient, more sustainable communities.
We extend our gratitude to the judges for recognising the significance of Canalside Black Lake, and we congratulate all the other finalists across the awards categories. It is a privilege to be featured among such exceptional organisations and pioneering projects.
As Woodbourne Group continues to grow, innovate, and lead transformational developments across the region, this shortlisting reinforces our belief in the power of bold ideas, sustainable principles, and community-centred design.
