|
Development brings benefits to Wildlife at Ropetackle
23rd November 2004
 There are sixteen species of bat found in southern England but this number is under serious threat with numbers of bats declining over the years. Similarly, Shoreham's swift population has declined by 40% over the past ten years. In both cases these losses have been due to the loss of roost/nesting sites and of suitable feeding sites.
Ropetackle in Shoreham-by-Sea, the South East England Development Agency's (SEEDA's) and Berkeley Homes flagship development, has had 'sustainability' at the heart of its design and construction. In the centre of the Shoreham Maritime regeneration scheme, many features have been included to minimise the environmental impact of the development. Site manager Richard Goulden is ensuring that a total of 14 swift, bat and tit boxes are incorporated into the mixed use development which has many of the new apartments and houses overlooking the River Adur.
Martin Bolton, SEEDA Sustainable Development Manager, said: "We are delighted to be jointly working with Berkeley Homes on sustainable regeneration projects such as Ropetackle. Sustainable Brownfield generation offers many opportunities to provide a gain for wildlife if it is considered earlier enough in the design process. As a result of this, Ropetackle will make a positive contribution to the Sussex Biodiversity Action Plan and in doing so enhancing Shoreham as a place to live and work. West Sussex County Council and SEEDA are promoting wildlife friendly developments through their support for the 'Building for Nature Project' which is assisting other developments across the South East to follow Ropetackle’s leading example.
In addition, all the buildings at Ropetackle will gain the highest BRE 'Ecohome' rating (excellent). The Ecohome standard aims to reduce the impact of house building on the environment and includes targets such as greater insulation, reduced energy/water consumption and simplified systems for the recycling of household waste. One of the many benefits of owning an Ecohome rated house is the lower utility bills it may bring; this is especially poignant with the rising utility prices we are seeing today.
Ropetackle Residents will not only benefit from living in a more environmentally friendly way but also from saving money by reduced living costs due to the houses being built to the Ecohome standard.
For further information please contact Berkeley Homes on +44 (0)1403 211240 or the Building for Nature Project on +44 (0)1483 500791.
|
