David Wilson Homes receives a dose of vitamin G

In the past, fitness crazes and faddy diets have covered everything imaginable from diets of cabbage soup to hula hoops, each boasting a shorter life span than the one before, and each with one ultimate goal in mind, to promote health and wellbeing. However, there is now evidence to support that a simple dose of ‘Vitamin G' is all you need to keep healthy and happy.

‘Vitamin G', or regular contact with open green space, not only encourages regular physical exercise, but it can also reduce stress and helps to preserve your well being. As a result, ‘Vitamin G' or ‘green exercise' is weaving its way into all aspects of modern life, with many people striving to effortlessly incorporate as much of it into their day as possible.

The idea that access to natural light and open space can improve health is nothing new. Hospitals and nursing homes have been utilising this concept for years to encourage health. However, a recent survey has revealed that residents of neighbourhoods with abundant green space tended to enjoy a better health condition, with more frequent visits to open green space resulting in fewer reports of stress-related illnesses. Consequently, major housebuilders, such as David Wilson Homes, are increasing their focus on areas of public open space in their developments, to provide residents with a daily dose of ‘Vitamin G'.

Sales and marketing director for David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties, Rebecca Littler, explains: "We have seen a new trend emerging, whereby prospective buyers are looking for something more when it comes to buying a home. Properties are no longer providing the focal point of a development; large, appealing areas of open green space are now the main attraction, leaving properties on the outskirts. This setting is proving increasingly popular with homebuyers, as it not only offers easy access to a regular injection of fresh air, but it also awards many of them a relaxing view of green space from the sanctuary of their own home.

"Consequently, numerous areas of public open space are being incorporated into the design of developments, along with conservation areas, wildlife habitats and places of outdoor activity such as cycle tracks and play grounds, to help provide a beneficial effect on both physical and mental heath.

"For example, at our Kings Meadow development in Newmarket there is 28 acres of meadow land where the development is located. Due to the important ecological value of the land the company will only be building a select number of four and five bedroom private residences in order to enhance and protect the land and the wildlife that lives there, plus each and every home enjoys the independence and privacy that it so richly deserves.

"Similarly The Chase development in Costessey overlooks private woodland with a stream and there is plenty of wildlife, which has also been catered for with protection measures such as specific fencing to keep the badgers away from the main road.

"In addition, large bay windows, balconies and French doors are regularly included in the designs of our homes to enable natural light to fill them and offer further exposure to ‘Vitamin G'."

Regular access to green space also boasts many other advantages which increase wellbeing. Outdoor space can encourage the formation of communities as its use appeals to all age groups, sexes and personalities, and it provides a natural meeting place for social integration. It has also been argued that residents, in particular women, feel safer when in an area of green space, consequently adding to a feeling of wellbeing and security in their home surroundings.

The positive effects of green space on wellbeing are endless, which is why David Wilson Homes carefully considers each location and design layout for its developments, to help establish active, healthy, safe, and welcoming communities.

With over 40 years' experience in homebuilding, David Wilson Homes builds a variety of accommodation, from apartments and townhouses to four and five bedroom family homes. The Eastern Counties region covers Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. For further information visit Dwh.co.uk.