PEOPLE need homes and developers provide them. But wildlife needs habitat too.

Hillreed Homes appointed Martin Newcombe of M.N.Wildlife consultants to ensure that their new development at the former council depot in East Malling cared for the natural inhabitants as much as the influx of new buyers.

Says Tony Hillier, joint MD at Hillreed Homes: “As a company we are very conscious of the need to protect wildlife. I went on to the site to see Martin in operation and was quite pleasantly surprised when he actually found two types of protected slow worms while I was there.”

Martin says: “Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 certain species of plants, animals and insects are protected against deliberate killing, but sadly a number of developers tend to overlook this legislation.

“I was delighted to be appointed by Hillreed and even more gratified when we found a total of 40 animals which would have lost their natural habitat had time not been taken to catch and relocate them.”

Such creatures were caught by a method of building a reptile fence dug into the ground with 60cm of black plastic connected. The traps were checked daily by a team of trappers and a total of 40 animals were saved by this method at East Malling.

Looking for somewhere very local to relocate the creatures, we asked around and were delighted to hear from Richard Brown.

Richard lives close by and his property includes a meadow leading to the waters edge and he was willing to give freedom to all the animals in his field. This means that they should be able to re-establish themselves without any serious harm.”