Housebuilder Allison Homes Eastern Counties is helping nature thrive at The Oaks development in Norwich, ensuring that both new residents and local wildlife can call the site home.
Located off Tillett Way, The Oaks is an environmentally-friendly site of 520 mixed-tenure, energy-efficient homes being built over four phases.
The development is Allison Homes Eastern Counties’ first in the region and forms a part of the new community that links to the village of Postwick.
To encourage biodiversity and enhance the existing environment, 428 native trees will be planted, as well as wildflower mixes and over 1,800 metres of hedgerows.
The housebuilder has also worked with Broadland District Council to apply preservation orders to the many established trees on site, including oak trees which inspired the development’s name, as well as elder, elm, ash and sweet chestnut trees.
For local wildlife, bat boxes and bird boxes are being installed, hedgehog highways are being created through the fencing around the development, and five reptile hibernacula will be built using fallen trees.
Residents at The Oaks are being provided with 3.15 hectare of green, public open space, allowing them to enjoy nature from their doorsteps. A seating area has been built along a walking route on the site, and children can enjoy spending time on an informal play area that has been created from fallen oak trees.
Phases one and two of The Oaks are currently underway and consist of the first 315 homes, including 139 for open market sale and 176 affordable homes for rent and shared ownership, which will be managed by an affordable housing provider.
Kelly Toms, Sales and Marketing Director at Allison Homes Eastern Counties, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our The Oaks development. As our first site in the region, we wanted to exceed expectations and make the site the best it could be, by creating a thriving new community that positively impacts local people, the environment and wildlife.
“We are extremely committed to supporting nature at The Oaks, and transforming the site into a place which enhances and protects the site’s biodiversity. We are looking forward to continuing our work on The Oaks, and to welcoming both new residents and new critters into their homes.”