Award-winning developer, Linden Homes (part of Vistry Group) has recently welcomed a local badger family to a new artificial sett near its All Angels Park development in the quaint village of Highfields Caldecote. After close monitoring, the team have seen at least three adult badgers making the most of, and enjoying, their new purpose-built home.
The sett relocation was part of the reserved matters application for the development approved in November 2019, with the Council approving the outline planning conditions concerning the species and habit mitigation in March this year.
The badgers’ previous existing sett was within the area of land designated as public open space in the proposed new development, meaning the badgers would be disturbed by people using the land and would have been faced with the additional risk of vehicle traffic on nearby roads. It was therefore decided, along with the South Cambs District Council’s Ecology Officer, that relocating the sett to a quieter, more secluded location away from the main development area was the most appropriate solution to ensure the safety and welfare of the badgers.
Hannah Short, Planning and Design Co-ordinator at Linden Homes said: “It’s been really encouraging and heart-warming to see the badgers adapting to their new home and settling in so well. We’ve been tracking their progress throughout and are incredibly pleased with such a positive outcome.
“Following Council approval, our Ecology consultants, Southern Ecological Solutions (SES), built the new artificial sett and baited it with badger-friendly foods to encourage them to start using it. Since then, we’ve had some wonderful footage of them eating, cleaning, and enjoying their new home; all natural, positive behaviour.
“It's important for us to not only provide new homes for local individuals and families but to also ensure local wildlife is looked after. As we look to welcome buyers to the development, we hope they, and the badgers, will be very happy with their brand new Linden homes.”
Now, with evidence of a successful relocation, a licence is being obtained from Natural England to close the old sett. One-way gates will be installed, and the sett will be monitored for a period of time to ensure the badgers do not return to it. Following this, the old sett will be removed under supervision of an ecologist with all works expected to be complete by the end of November 2020.
All Angels offers a collection of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses, suitable for first time buyers, families looking for more room and downsizers. Just eight miles from Cambridge in an idyllic cosy village the development combines modern convenience with the perfect location. Prospective buyers can also make the most of Linden Homes’ Home Exchange or Smooth Move schemes to help make your dream home a reality. Some of the homes will also be available with the Government Help to Buy scheme.
Register your interest now to receive priority updates: www.lindenhomes.co.uk/allangelspark
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Contact: Amber Chapman, BECG, 01962 893893; amber.chapman@becg.com
