Swindon housebuilders' national survey unveils town's relationship with wildlife neighbours

A Swindon housebuilder has commissioned a survey to find out how much Brits know about the wildlife in their garden.

Redrow Thames Valley, builders of Badbury Park on Homington Avenue, conducted research which found that 66 percent of adults in the South West wished they had learned more about wildlife as a child.

The survey found that just 18% of those in the South West could tell the difference between bees and wasps - a common visitor to gardens during the summer months - however 79% of participants were able to identify common birds, such as pigeons, magpies and robins, but unable to identify rarer bird species.

The survey also found 12 per cent of parents believe their kids know far more than them, with 55% putting this down to today’s education in school.

Redrow says biodiversity is the variety of living things on our planet – from the smallest organism to the largest animal – and is essential to support life on Earth. The housebuilder added that Britain has lost more than half of its biodiversity – more than almost anywhere else in western Europe.

Redrow’s biodiversity strategy, which was created in partnership with The Wildlife Trust, seeks to put the natural environment at the heart of its developments and the lives of the people who live there.

The strategy includes a net gain approach to biodiversity; ensuring every development has green space or landscaped communal areas where wildlife can flourish. Developments may feature green routes for walking and cycling, newly created orchards or meadows, and wetland areas like ponds and swales.

Sarah Boyce, Sales Director for Redrow Thames Valley, said: “Redrow Thames Valley is acutely aware of the growing issues surrounding climate change, and we want to raise awareness of the natural environment so we can better help to protect it.

“It's vital to have at least a little understanding of what's happening in our gardens, as the more we learn and understand, the more we can help the wildlife around us thrive.

“It’s so important to make your garden or any outdoor space you have a welcoming environment for wildlife, whether that’s growing more flowers for bugs and insects or creating homes and feeding birds.

“It only takes small and simple changes, and you don’t need a huge space to do these things either.”

Redrow says it is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and has set ambitious interim targets for both its direct and indirect emissions, to help limit global warming to 1.5°C.

The business says its strategy includes a net gain approach to biodiversity; ensuring every development has green space where wildlife can flourish from orchards to meadows, as well as wetland areas such as ponds and swales.

More details about how to embrace nature in the garden can be found on Redrow's website at redrow.co.uk

Situated on the edge of Coate Water Country Park, yet within easy reach of both the M4 and Swindon town centre, Badbury Park is said to be perfect for first-time buyers and growing families alike.

With its own primary school, and just five minutes from a secondary school, the development is described as the perfect place to set up home. The development is due to expand its range of homes with a new phase, set to launch later this year.

For more information about Badbury Park, individuals can call 01793 391561 or see www.redrow.co.uk/badbury-park-swindon