A school in Harwich has received a donation of hedgehog homes, hedgehog food and two small feeding bowls from a local housebuilder, in an effort to contribute to the preservation of the species.
Developer Barratt and David Wilson Homes donated the resources to All Saints' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, located near to the housebuilder’s Languard View development in Dovercourt. According to the State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 report published by wildlife charities People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), hedgehog populations have declined by between 30% to 75% across different parts of the countryside since 2000.
The developer has previously partnered with Hedgehog Street to inform others how to keep hedgehogs safe and, one of its Essex developments, Great Dunmow Grange, is set to be used as an exemplar for sustainable housebuilding with approximately 30% more biodiversity value being created than was there in the first place. To put this into perspective, the extent of ecological enhancement at this development is three times greater than the Government’s current target of 10%.
Samantha Moseley, Headteacher at All Saints' C of E VA Primary School, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to work with Barratt and David Wilson Homes. Their donation has further improved our outdoor provision. Our pupils cannot wait to see if hedgehogs take shelter in the houses provided.
“We strongly believe that learning should not just take place inside, and provide several opportunities for learning outside the classroom, for all pupils across the school. Following an ‘Act of Kindness’ theme, our pupils are always looking for ways of preserving or taking responsibility for the world around them, and this is another great example of this.”
The Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties, Tom Wright, said: “As a leading housebuilder, we know that home is where the heart is and that’s true for all kinds of residents, human or otherwise!
“We hope our donation will give local hedgehogs protection and a safe home at All Saints' C of E VA Primary School, whilst also encouraging the pupils to consider the wildlife near their own homes.” More information on Barratt Homes’ properties at the development can be found by visiting the website.