HOUSEBUILDER Bellway has a highlighted a number of ecology measures it is undertaking to protecting and supporting wildlife close to its latest development at Fobbing.

 The work is being carried out at Bellway's Maple Creek development off High Road, where 168 new homes are under construction.

It includes the installation of six bird boxes, 15 bat boxes, three compost containers, six log piles, and two insect hotels, as well as the planting of a mix of trees, shrubs and grasses throughout the extensive green open space provided within the development.

This work is in addition to Bellway investing £24,000 in the Essex Coast recreation disturbance avoidance strategy (RAMS) which protects wildlife sites along the coastline from harm.

Twenty four properties on the site are now occupied and construction is due to be completed by Autumn 2025.

 Samantha Norman, Sales Manager at Bellway Thames Gateway, said: "Taking account of the natural world and the importance of biodiversity is an essential part of planning and constructing a new development.

"Bellway is a responsible homebuilder and so we are keen to protect habitats and do all we can to help wildlife continue to flourish once our development is complete."

Maple Creek is being built on a former brownfield site which was originally developed by the Southend Waterworks Company for water treatment, and featured industrial and storage buildings, areas of hard standing and a man-made concrete lagoon structure.

Bellway is building two, three, and four-bedroom properties on the site with 109 homes being for private sale and 59 designated as affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership.

The planning agreement for the development also includes contributions from Bellway of more than £1 million towards primary and nursery schools in the area, £79,000 for healthcare and £2,600 for local highways.

To find out more about the development visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/maple-creek.