CROUDACE Homes’ are making wildlife the number one priority at Holm Oaks, their new development of 24 private homes and eight Housing Association properties in Hawkhurst.

Determined to keep environmental disruption at Holm Oaks to an absolute minimum, Croudace have employed the services of Martin Newcombe, a professional naturalist and wildlife management consultant, working under licence from English Nature.

Martin is working with Croudace to relocate incumbent badgers, which are a protected species, from their existing homes to an artificially created sett elsewhere on the development. The new sett is in a discreet location away from the future houses, with its own carefully-constructed tunnels and nesting chambers, soil heaps and numerous entrance holes.

Old bedding collected from nearby setts will be left near the entrance tunnels and tempting treats such as peanuts are being deposited inside to encourage the badgers to take up residence. The food is disappearing fast so it would seem that the badgers have already discovered their new home. The site team are very enthusiastic about the project and Croudace site manager Andy Hunnisett is ensuring the food is regularly provided.