Member Article

Housebuilder a buzz for bees in North Yate

David Wilson Homes has taken its pledge to support the UK’s bee population to the next level – by setting up an apiary at its Ladden Garden Village development in North Yate.

The housebuilder, which already makes all of its developments bee-friendly, has even appointed a local beekeeper to look after the new winged residents.

South Gloucestershire Beekeepers Association member Alan Stott will care for the colony of bees which he has moved into a hexagonal apiary at the new community.

“I was very pleased to partner with David Wilson Homes in its bid to help increase the honeybee population,” Alan said.

“Bees play a crucial role in eco-systems, with a third of our food depending on their pollination. However, bees are easily adaptable and can quite happily make man-made hives their homes – such as the one at Ladden Garden Village.”

David Wilson Homes’ sales director Louise Ware said of the partnership: “We’re so thrilled to work with Alan. Our drive to create an apiary forms just part of our ongoing pledge to support wildlife in the area.”

Ladden Garden Village is one of David Wilson Homes’ most wildlife-friendly developments to date. The development’s show complexes feature bird and bat boxes to provide essential nesting areas. Fences have been left open to the hedgerow – allowing wildlife like hedgehogs, frogs, toads and newts to move easily through and around the garden.

The housebuilder has laid wildflower turf that is perfect for butterflies and other insects. Scented plants like honeysuckle, sweet box and viburnums attract butterflies and bumblebees so have been included in the show garden. The cornfield bed will give all the pollinating insects an area to create a real buzz.

David Wilson Homes has also installed bee hotels around its show gardens to encourage their pollination and give them somewhere safe to lay their larvae.

Creating fantastic homes for both homebuyers and wildlife “Creating fantastic homes is a key priority for us – for both homebuyers within our new developments and for the local wildlife. We’re hoping Alan may even be able to train up some of our residents to look after the bees too, giving them the skills and knowledge to protect the British bee for many years to come.”

Alan added: “With a new and growing community, we hope that this project will add to a community spirit of participation. Success will be when my role as beekeeper becomes a role of mentor!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Wilson Homes South West .