Supporting Nature as Part of Everyday Living
DESIGNING DEVELOPMENTS WITH NATURE IN MIND
When new homes are built, the surrounding environment inevitably changes. A key part of modern development is recognising this and taking steps to support the wildlife that already exists in that area.
At Allison Homes, biodiversity features are not applied as a fixed checklist. Instead, they are guided by site-specific ecology reports, which assess the existing environment and identify what measures are most appropriate.
This approach means that the features included are relevant to the location, rather than generic additions. For homeowners, it results in developments that feel more considered — places that aim to work with their surroundings rather than simply replace them.
SWIFT BRICKS SUPPORTING DECLINING SPECIES
Swifts are a familiar part of the UK summer, known for their distinctive flight and high-pitched calls. However, they have declined significantly in recent years, largely due to the loss of suitable nesting sites in modern buildings.
Swift bricks are designed to address this. Built directly into the external wall of a home, they create a small, enclosed cavity where swifts can nest safely. Unlike traditional roof spaces, which are often no longer accessible in modern construction, these bricks provide a dedicated and permanent solution.
Once installed, a swift brick requires no maintenance and does not affect the appearance or use of the home. However, for the birds, it provides a reliable nesting site that they can return to year after year.
For residents, it’s a subtle feature — but one that plays a meaningful role in supporting a species that depends on the built environment to survive.
BEE BRICKS SMALL FEATURES WITH BIG IMPACT
Pollinators such as bees play a vital role in maintaining plant life, from garden flowers through to crops. While honeybees are well known, many species of solitary bees are equally important — and often more efficient pollinators.
Unlike honeybees, solitary bees do not live in hives. Instead, they look for small cavities in which to lay their eggs. Bee bricks are designed with this in mind, incorporating narrow openings that provide a safe nesting environment within the structure of a building.
Although small in scale, these features can have a wider impact. By supporting pollinator populations, they contribute to healthier planting, improved biodiversity, and more resilient local ecosystems.
For homeowners, this is not something that requires any action — but it is part of how the development supports the environment beyond its boundaries.
BAT BOXES SUPPORTING PROTECTED SPECIES
Bats are a protected species in the UK and play an important role in local ecosystems, particularly in controlling insect populations.
Modern construction can sometimes reduce the number of natural roosting spaces available to bats, which is why features such as bat boxes are incorporated where appropriate. These provide sheltered areas where bats can rest during the day and roost safely.
Their placement is guided by ecological advice to ensure they are located in positions where they are most likely to be used.
While rarely seen during the day, bats are an important part of the natural environment. Providing spaces for them within new developments helps maintain that balance.
HEDGEHOG HIGHWAYS RECONNECTING HABITATS
Hedgehogs have become increasingly vulnerable in the UK, in part because of how residential areas are laid out. Solid fences and enclosed gardens can prevent them from moving freely in search of food, shelter and mates.
Hedgehog highways are a simple solution — small openings at ground level that allow hedgehogs to pass between gardens and green spaces.
Although modest in size, these connections make a significant difference. They allow hedgehogs to move naturally through their environment, rather than being confined to isolated areas.
For homeowners, these features are unobtrusive and easy to live with, but they contribute to a wider network that supports wildlife across the development.
PLANTING THAT ENCOURAGES WILDLIFE TO THRIVE
Landscaping within a development is more than just visual — it can also be designed to support biodiversity.
Where appropriate, communal areas may include pollinator-friendly planting, chosen to provide food sources for bees, butterflies and other insects. This can include a mix of species that flower at different times of year, helping to create a more consistent source of nectar.
As well as supporting wildlife, this type of planting creates more varied and interesting green spaces for residents. It can attract birds and insects, adding movement and life to outdoor areas throughout the seasons.
TAILORED TO EACH LOCATION NOT APPLIED AS STANDARD
One of the most important aspects of biodiversity in new developments is ensuring that it is done appropriately.
At Allison Homes, the inclusion of features such as swift bricks, bat boxes or planting schemes is determined by the findings of the ecology report for each site. This ensures that what is included is both relevant and beneficial to the local environment.
For buyers, this means the development you are moving into has been planned with its specific surroundings in mind — not just designed to meet a standard, but to respond to the place it sits within.
