Ecology visit
Bewley Homes Showcase Ecology Initiatives to Ashton Keynes Primary School Pupils
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and ecology, Bewley Homes recently visited Ashton Keynes Church of England Primary School to showcase the ecological measures being implemented at King’s Water, its flagship new development on the edge of the Cotswold Water Park.
The visit aimed to educate and inspire school children about the importance of wildlife conservation and sustainable living practices when building new homes. The Bewley team discussed the development’s eco-friendly initiatives, which include a purpose-built bat pavilion, as well as the preservation of badger and owl habitats
The project is already gaining attention for its objective of achieving an 18% net gain in biodiversity habitats, surpassing industry standards underpinning Bewley’s ecology credentials.
For the past 18 months, Bewley Homes has worked closely with ecologists, The Environmental Dimension Partnership, based in Elkstone, arboriculturists, and environmental experts, conducting extensive ecological assessments to ensure that the site’s development enhances the local ecosystem.
During the school visit, year six pupils learned about the importance of protecting local wildlife, the concept of biodiversity net gain, and how innovative design can help achieve a balance between human needs and environmental conservation. The pupils were particularly fascinated by the efforts to protect endangered newts and the construction of a purpose-built bat pavilion.
Craig Ireland, Technical Director at Bewley Homes, explained: “It’s an important part of our community outreach to explain what efforts we go to on all our sites to protect the environment and where possible make improvements on from when we took over a site. Ecology measures have been on-going for over two years at King’s Water which shows the lengths housebuilders go to protect the wildlife and environment.”
“By prioritising the preservation of newts, bats, badgers, owls, and other wildlife species, we are setting an inspiring example of how development and nature can thrive together.”
Renewable energy solutions are integrated throughout King’s Water, including the use of heat recovery systems, solar panels, electric vehicle charging points for every home, and solar-powered street lighting designed to protect bat habitats through low lux levels.
King’s Water serves as a model for future residential developments, with Bewley Homes demonstrating that building homes and protecting nature are not mutually exclusive. The company’s focus on ecology, renewable energy, and habitat protection makes it a shining example of how the housing industry can play a vital role in creating a greener, more sustainable future.
Dan Hockoday, Deputy Headteacher at Ashton Keynes Church of England Primary School, commented: “Our thanks to the Bewley team for an engaging talk on ecology to help our pupils understand what takes place on a building site. They all found it very interesting.”
Matt Jenkins, Health, Safety and Environment Manager at Bewley Homes, added: “We continue to prioritise renewable energy and sustainability, and by adopting these extensive measures, we are demonstrating that development and ecological conservation can go hand in hand. Our goal is to lead the way in greener living, transforming not only how houses are built but how they contribute to a more sustainable future.”
