Trust drafted in to manage wildlife at new housing site

A CHARITY has agreed to manage the wild spaces around a new housing development in Doncaster, in the first partnership of its kind in the region.

Developer Persimmon Homes is transferring responsibility for the green spaces around its housing scheme at Bessacarr to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The trust will manage existing ancient woodlands at the site, its green spaces and new wetlands habitats for the benefit of wildlife.

Michael Rogers, regional manager for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Over the past century we have lost natural habitats on an unprecedented scale.

“Persimmon’s new development, working in partnership with the trust, shows that it’s possible to have both homes for people and wildlife.

“We are very excited to start working with local residents at the development to make their neighbourhood somewhere they can relax and be immersed in the natural world around them.”

Over the coming years, almost 900 new homes will be built as part of the new community development.

It will feature a village centre, shops, school and retirement accommodation.

It will be located directly east of one of the biggest of the trust’s 100 nature reserves in Yorkshire, Potteric Carr nature reserve, which provides a haven for wildlife in a landscape dominated by farming and industry.