Page 9 - Natural World Summer 2017
P. 9
play and social interaction. And they now has a perfect opportunity to “We like
deliver the priceless treasure of reset the approach to housing. We living here”
wildlife on your doorstep. believe it should refocus to help
wildlife, and to create healthy, “We have attractive, varied
The Wildlife Trusts believe that all cohesive and thriving communities, open spaces with no need to
new housing developments could where residents can connect with get in the car. The area feels
and should be places where people nature and each other.
and wildlife flourish with: safe and the kids can play
All the necessary knowledge, within walking distance of
■ Access to wildlife whether in a evidence and expertise to do this
town or country already exists, and so our vision is our home.”
simple: it should become normal for Rachel Mortimer, wild
■ High quality natural green space all housing developments – whether development resident at
■ A genuine, measurable net new or established – to contribute to
overall gain for wildlife nature’s recovery. Cambourne, Cambs
■ Connectivity to the wider
ecological network. ■ More at wildlifetrusts.org/
With the urgent need to build so housing
many new homes, the Government
My Wild City: Avon WT Priest Hill: Surrey WT
Challenge: Bristol is the UK’s fastest- Then: abandoned playing fields and London. The Trust is recreating species-
growing city. Response: To transform some developed land. Now: 15 new rich chalk grassland, wetlands and
it into a place where wildlife can thrive. homes alongside a new nature reserve. hedgerows, and many existing paths
Avon Wildlife Trust’s My Wild City idea Surrey Wildlife Trust worked with the have been retained. Small blue, white-
aims to get whole streets joining up developer and Borough Council to letter and brown hairstreak butterflies
wildlife-friendly gardens, and restore the 34ha reserve site, which are increasing, as are common lizard,
communities and businesses helps reconnect a green corridor into skylark and linnet.
transforming their local green spaces.
One starter project offered a wildlife New development alan oakley, surrey WT
garden makeover for 30 houses in
Stanley Park. It is now a wildlife
corridor between two neighbouring
green spaces. All the My Wild City
actions, projects and groups are
recorded on an interactive map. See it
on avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Existing development
avon WT The new housing
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
estate seen from the
fast-developing
nature reserve
Why can’t all front gardens... Gaydon: Warwickshire WT New development
...look like this?
Challenge: A planned 3,000 home Wildlife on this site
development. Response: To make it a should increase after the
net gain for wildlife. houses are built
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has worked summer 2017 NATURAL WORLD 9
to shape this complex development
since it was proposed as part of the
local plan in 2013. Final planning
permission is pending but as part of the
development a Local Wildlife Site will
become a nature reserve with long
term management. There will also be
semi-natural buffers to protect nearby
ancient woodlands; semi-natural
habitat links to the nature reserve; and
green infrastructure throughout the
development.
