DON’T TURN DEVELOPMENTS INTO NATURE DESERTS
DON’T TURN DEVELOPMENTS INTO NATURE DESERTS
New research shows that younger first-time buyers in England are disproportionately being pushed to live in so-called “nature deserts”, as considerations for the welfare of wildlife are not being provided by housebuilders. However, with simple accommodations, Manthorpe believes housebuilders can support wildlife, improve the biodiversity of their developments and support the wellbeing of residents.
Many urban areas are starved of green space due to historic under-investment in natural infrastructure, densification pressures, and planning decisions that have prioritised housing volume over access to nature. Research shows that among clusters of cheaper housing, access to nature is poorest. Experts at Manthorpe say this need not be the case, and that inexpensive modifications to the fabric of the home at the planning stage can encourage wildlife.