Make a mouse a home: David Wilson’s animal-friendly Whiteley gardens earn top RSPB accolade

David Wilson isn’t just in the business of housing people.

The national homebuilder has also been taking local wildlife populations into consideration as part of its latest Whiteley development.

When designing their animal-friendly show gardens, the team planted nectar and pollen rich plants for insects, as well as building shelters and carving out boundaries to allow creatures to move about freely. There’s also a small pond for drinking water.

Their efforts have earned David Wilson Homes a Gold award from the RSPB, the highest accolade available.

The judges were also impressed by the use of peat-free compost in the garden, as peat releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide when harvested.

Hedgehog homes feature in the new gardens. Credit: David Wilson Homes

Tammy Bishop, Sales Director at David Wilson’s Southampton division, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded Gold for our gardens at Forest Walk which are already attracting wildlife. We have also had positive feedback from people visiting the development.

“The gardens here incorporate key elements advised by the RSPB and not only are they now award-winning, but they look great too.”

From bird and bat boxes to homes for hedgehogs, the new properties accommodate all kinds of creatures big and small.

They represent part of a wider effort from David Wilson to deliver more wildlife friendly housing in collaboration with the RSPB.