Page 8 - Natural World Summer 2017
P. 8
people & wildlife
The next decade is likely to see The Wildlife walkways. The result is natural
hundreds of thousands of new Trusts have corridors weaving through the
homes built. In the past, housing pioneered this development and reaching out
developments have mostly idea for the beyond. These features add what is
destroyed habitats rather than past decade known as natural resilience: they
created them. But done in the right reduce surface water flooding and
way, on the right site, they can lead and relationships with developers we improve air quality, for example. We
to a net gain for wildlife – and offer have ensured that existing meadows, also work with social landlords and
their incoming residents a healthier, wetlands, hedgerows, trees and residents to create natural places
happier place to live. And that’s woods are retained. We also aim for that encourage wildlife and benefit
because good housing and a healthy wildlife-rich gardens, verges, amenity people.
natural world are intrinsically linked. green space, cycle paths and
The best new houses are energy
The Wildlife Trusts have pioneered and water efficient; have built-in
the integration of wildlife into new roosting and nesting features; and
developments for many decades provide easy access to safe,
(see box below). Using our expertise attractive green space for exercise,
Some we did earlier... Existing development Hisuudvgisdv
Trumpington Meadows: Beds, Cambs, Northants WT
CHALLENGE: 1,200 new homes. through the development and the 58ha
RESPONSE: Habitats created and park is both a space for people and a
managed with the local Wildlife Trust. ‘nature reserve’. Creation of 40ha of
The developer consulted widely about species-rich meadows, hedgerows,
creating a new country park. They woodlands and floodplain meadows
chose the local Wildlife Trust to advise began before the first houses were
on green infrastructure and to manage built. Wetland features keep runoff to
the land in future. Play areas, open the River Cam at pre-development
ditches and tree avenues weave levels.
keith heppel New development Natural Estates:
appreciated by 7,000
inner city residents
Natural Estates:
London WT
The developer at Trumpington CHALLENGE: Little wildlife in many
Meadows understood the value estates. RESPONSE: Encourage
of high quality green space residents to improve their area.
This was a partnership between London
Wildlife Trust, Groundwork London and
social landlords. More than 7,000
people from nine different London
housing estates took part.
“It helped create havens for wildlife
and attractive outside areas for people
to enjoy, and built a sense of pride and
wellbeing in the local environment,”
said the Trust’s Gareth Morgan. More at
neighbourhoodsgreen.org.uk/
case-studies/natural-estates
It created
attractive
outside areas
for people
to enjoy
8 NATURAL WORLD summer 2017
