Choice Housing is collaborating with The Woodland Trust and Mid and East Antrim Council to plant 150 native tress at their local Ballymena scheme Ballyclug Mews. This forms part of the housing associations’ wider biodiversity project for the local area which includes plans to plant wildflower and protect and enhance existing local habitats.
The Choice Community Development team joined tenants of Ballyclug Mews, colleagues from Mid and East Antrim Council, and pupils and teachers from Harryville Primary School, to carry out the tree planting, which was followed by a celebration event to mark the occasion.
Michael McDonnell, Choice Group Chief Executive, said,
“The biodiversity project for Ballyclug Mews is one of many projects being delivered by tenants across several of our schemes, working with a range of stakeholders, including local authorities, Ulster Wildlife, RSPB and our grounds maintenance contractors, to assess opportunities for improvements at new and existing schemes. Design requirements for any Choice new build has also been updated to include additional biodiversity measures, taking account of the specific attributes of any new site before work commences, and identifying opportunities to improve those sites.
Protecting existing biodiversity on the site and implementing improvements such as planting wildflower and installing bird and bat boxes are all actions Choice has committed to.
Chris Wood, Engagement Officer, Mid and East Antrim Council said,
“In partnership with Choice housing and the Woodland Trust we are helping to increase native woodland across the borough. These local pockets of woodland are invaluable habitats for humans, insects and birds, while capturing carbon and enhancing the area for residents”.
