Nocturnal neighbours hang out at Hinchley Park

The first human homebuyers may only have lived in their brand new places at Taylor Wimpey’s exclusive Hinchley Park development for a matter of weeks – but one community of existing residents has already been there for years.

A population of Soprano Pipistrelles bats was discovered inside a disused office building when the leading housebuilder began work on the site in Hinchley Wood, Surrey, and special measures have since been taken to ensure they can continue to make the most of their homely habitat.

These nocturnal neighbours are being relocated to two purpose-built ‘bat houses’ located in a comfortable corner of the tree-lined development. Now, even as new houses and apartments are built around them, they are assured of a safe place to call home for many years to come.

The relocation of the bats has been a painstaking process, with a specialist team of bat experts drafted in to help design the two bat houses – one for roosting and the other for raising young.

Prior to their old home being demolished – after they had left for their winter hibernation grounds – the animals’ droppings were collected and transferred to the bat houses to help them navigate their way to their plush new accommodation.

Marie-Claire Travis, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “We always take great care to make sure that existing wildlife populations are preserved at each and every one of our development sites.

“Thanks to our two specially designed ‘bat houses’, humans won’t be the only ones enjoying life at Hinchley Park – and the sight of these fascinating creatures leaving their roosts at dusk will no doubt provide a captivating spectacle for our residents.”

Hinchley Park is a collection of stylish one and two-bedroom executive coach houses and apartments through to spacious three and four-bedroom houses, with prices ranging from just £239,995 to £479,995 – exceptional value in such a sought-after location.

As well as boasting its very own community of resident wildlife, Hinchley Wood offers the peace and tranquility of a traditional village, but with everything for day-to-day living on the doorstep, including a fine foods butcher, a continental bakery and a farm shop.

The delightful town of Esher, just over a mile away, offers a host of restaurants, bars and cafés, while excellent shopping can be found in nearby Kingston and Guildford.

Only 14 miles from London, northbound trains to Waterloo and southbound trains to Guildford can be caught at Hinchley Wood railway station every 30 minutes, making Hinchley Park the perfect get-away for commuters looking for a more pleasant place to call home.

For families, the area is renowned for the quality of its state and independent schools, which include Milbourne Lodge, Rowan Preparatory, Emberhurst and Claremont Fan Court, while Hinchley Wood primary and secondary schools are well-regarded and close to home.

To find out more about the choice of homes now on sale at Hinchley Park, visit the Sales Centre, located at Hengest Avenue, Hinchley Wood, and open seven days a week from 10.30am to 5.30pm.