Choice are in the process of updating our design requirements for our new homes, which will include additional requirements relating to biodiversity and ecology.
We have worked in partnership with Ulster Wildlife to develop appropriate guidance to support this process, and they have also visited a number of our new sites to make proposals for improvement, with a number of these recommendations now being implemented.
Working with our design teams and contractors at our new housing schemes we are considering opportunities to protect the existing ecological features of each site, and to consider opportunities for biodiversity improvements. This has led to the planned inclusion of measures such as bird boxes, swift bricks, bat boxes, hedgehog homes, insect hotels, and the planting of wildflower. We also aim for all our new trees to be native or wildlife friendly.
Wilton Farrelly, Group Director of Asset Services met with the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Cllr Neil Kelly, at our scheme The Square, Ballyclare to discuss our use of swift bricks in our developments in the council area. All Swift bricks at The Square are occupied and the residents of the scheme are delighted by their presence. On a recent visit to a scheme in Ballymena, the Sustainability and Energy Team, alongside a representative from RSPB, were able to observe the bricks in use.
As well as The Square, we are incorporating this biodiversity conservation technique at Belfast Road, Antrim and Stiles Avenue, Antrim.
Further examples of incorporating biodiversity and nature can be seen on display at our new development on the Woodstock Road, having had planters installed.
Stay up to date with our bio diversity conservation initiatives on our social media channels!
