Member Article

Wildlife membership for new homeowners

A housebuilder in Doncaster is unlocking more than just a front door for home buyers in Bessacarr, by joining forces with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Home buyers at the new Charles Church Hatchell Grange development, off Bawtry Road, will become members of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as part of their house purchase.

The new initiative means that residents will join a 40,000 strong group of members, all helping to ensure Yorkshire remains rich in wildlife, with beautiful landscapes protected, new greenspaces created and existing ones restored to their full potential.

Charles Church Yorkshire, which recently opened its new luxury five bedroom ‘Bond’ style showhome, will present customers with their membership when they receive their keys to their new home.

Hatchell Grange is part of a major housing development surrounded by protected ancient woodland, lakes and cycleways. Over the coming years, the site will also feature a village centre with shops, school, retirement accommodation, new greenspaces and wetlands.

As part of the partnership delivering the project, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust will take responsibility for the management of the new wetlands and greenspaces which surround the housing areas, developing them to the standard of a high quality nature reserve.

The Trust will ensure the area achieves its full potential in terms of environmental value and will look at organising family-friendly events and volunteering opportunities, so residents and the local community can fully appreciate the existing woodlands and new greenspaces being created.

Andy Dalton, Potteric Carr Programme Manager from the Trust said: “We currently manage Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, which is to the west of Hatchell Grange, and so the opportunity to expand our work in the surrounding area is really exciting. Our existing site is already a popular visitor attraction and continues to expand creating more space for wildlife and those that visit.

“We have recently created new family-friendly trails, which incorporate wildlife-themed wooden sculptures, and have installed fencing so we can manage the grazing of our new flock of Hebridean sheep, who will help to promote the growth of wildflowers in the meadows. All of this will be freely accessible to residents with their Trust membership.

“Our partnership with Charles Church and its future residents is integral in helping us protect and preserve the natural environment for future generations and we look forward to welcoming them to the Trust.”

Work is well underway at the Charles Church development, with the developer hand over the keys to its first residents in June 2015.

Simon Usher, deputy managing director at Charles Church Yorkshire added: “This is a key development for the business. It will transform the Bessacarr area by bringing not only new homes but also new job opportunities.

“Due to its rural surroundings it was imperative that we had a partnership with an organisation that puts the natural environment at its forefront. We hope our future residents will enjoy the benefits that come with being a member of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.”

As part of the partnership the housebuilder has become a corporate partner of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

For information on the properties at Charles Church Hatchell Grange or the Bessacarr development call 07970 608820 or visit www.charleschurch.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Andrew McLagan .