Ward Homes helps out local dormice!

Leading Kent housebuilder, Ward Homes, is protecting dormice at its development in Boughton Monchelsea by helping them safely cross the road! The dormice were discovered before construction of The Woodlands, a development of one and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom houses located just off Brishing Lane.

Ward Homes has installed a specially constructed bridge, suspended between two telegraph poles, which allows the dormice to cross the road without danger.

Together with the site’s ecological contractor, Keystone Environmental, Ward Homes has installed a galvanised mesh cylinder, which is the most ecological material to use for this construction. The bridge has been made more attractive to the dormice by being filled with a variety of native climbing plant species, such as honeysuckle. The plants are also encouraged to grow up and along the bridge as a habitat for the mice and to enhance the structure. There is also a large funnel at each end of the bridge to help them find the entrance.

In addition to the bridge, Ward Homes has also planted a hedge along Brishing Lane to further develop the dormice habitat.

Tim Nabbs, Sales Director for Ward Homes said: “We feel it is of paramount importance to protect and preserve wildlife wherever we develop. Habitat fragmentation is a particular problem for dormice because of their reluctance to cross sections of open ground, so the bridge really is a tremendous benefit for them. It mimics tunnels found in their natural setting and is a safe way for them to travel.

“We choose the locations for all our developments with considerable care and are fully committed to enhancing the surroundings, making the most of natural features, such as mature trees and hedgerows. Our planners work closely with councils and the local community to identify sustainable solutions and our homes are consistently built on brownfield sites.”

The Woodlands is an attractive development located just five miles from the popular town of Maidstone and benefits from a rural location with picturesque countryside.

HomeBuy Direct, the Government’s highly popular scheme to help people move onto and up the property ladder, is available on selected properties at The Woodlands. HomeBuy Direct gives homebuyers the chance to move in for only 70 per cent of the purchase price.

Ward Homes will match the Government’s funding pound for pound in the new venture to provide an equity loan to the homebuyer of up to 30 per cent. The buyer finances the remaining 70 per cent either through a mortgage, a deposit or a combination of the two.

Three bedroom houses are available through HomeBuy Direct, with prices starting from £224,950.

For more information please contact the Sales Centre at The Woodlands, off Brishing Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4SG, open from 10am to 6pm, or log on to Wardhomes.co.uk.