Gladedale are boxing clever at Amber Wharf

Premier housebuilders Gladedale Yorkshire are never short of buyers for their smart contemporary properties, but their latest project at Amber Wharf, Shipley is also attracting some unusual new residents – of the feathered kind. The Amber Wharf development, Shipley, is set by the side of a canal within the Aire Valley, an important corridor for UK wildlife.

The four-bedroom town houses and two-bedroom apartments are set within landscaped grounds that provide an excellent habitat for a variety of birds and other small wildlife, and, with the help of the local RSPB group and local residents, Gladedale are installing some extra “properties” around the site – nesting boxes and roosting pockets specially designed to attract a range of birds including kestrels, house martins, robins and wrens.

Jill Walton, field sales manager for Gladedale Yorkshire, said: “At Gladedale, we work hard to bring buyers the best interiors to all our new homes. We believe the townhouses and apartments at Amber Wharf will appeal to a wide variety of homebuyers, from families to mature couples, looking for contemporary style in a quality home.

“However, we also firmly believe that the exterior surroundings are an equally important part of creating a community, so we have invited the Bradford and Airedale local RSPB group to help us create an environment where local wildlife will feel welcome. We believe this will enhance the lives of our homebuyers and give all the inhabitants a sense of wellbeing.

“The Bradford and Airedale RSPB group are giving a series of illustrated talks about birds and other wildlife in the run up to Christmas at Shipley library with the next talk taking place on Friday 16th November. All are welcome, and the group would be very interested in taking on new members. It’s a perfect way to teach your children to appreciate the wonders of nature all around them.”

One couple who agree is Joan and Christopher Butler. The couple, long-term members of the RSPB, recently moved into their townhouse at Amber Wharf. The Butlers were attracted to the development by the idyllic waterside location, which is rich in water bird life throughout the year. Mr Butler said: “Since moving to Amber Wharf I have seen two Kingfishers which is quite a rare occurrence. We quite frequently see herons and there are many species of ducks in the canal that we’ve never had the chance to see before.

”We are delighted with our new Gladedale home and the varied wildlife just adds to the appeal of the area, even for people who are not keen bird watchers some of the creatures are quite spectacular to see.”

For more information log on to Gladedale.co.uk.

For more information about the RSPB, visit Rspb.org.uk/groups/airedaleandbradford/events