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17 November 2000
Countryside Properties is embarking on an impressive nature conservation project within one of its new developments in the boroughs of Crewe and Nantwich, in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. The conservation areas will be created within a strategically landscaped 714-acre parkland setting, which will also incorporate a new community of 500 new homes, lakes, hotel and leisure facilities and a new golf course which is being constructed to European PGA standards.
The land was under intensive agricultural cropping and was of little ecological interest until now. Since Countryside has purchased the site, their teams have been working alongside English Nature, the Cheshire Wildlife Trust and local advisors at The Environment Agency, to develop a comprehensive environmental strategy to encourage and preserve local wildlife.
Managing Director of Countryside Residential, Chris Crook, explains, "Our initial surveys have identified a number of rare and protected species of animals on nearby land. By designing the right environment for them inside Wychwood Park, we are planning to create an environment which they will be encouraged to enter and thrive in. As a company, we firmly believe that priority should be given to wildlife and the environment, not only because it enhances the natural ecosystem, but from a commercial point of view, it creates a much more valuable and spectacular setting to live within."
Extensive measures have been taken to protect and preserve any wildlife that previously existed amongst the farmer's crops. This has included re-designing the layout of the new buildings so as not to disturb existing badger setts found on the land. In nearby habitats, the teams have also identified barn owls, water voles and native White-Clawed Freshwater Crayfish. These species are all currently part of a national protection programme, due to an alarming decrease in their numbers. Additional habitat is being provided within Wychwood Park, as part of the project, to ensure they will continue to thrive, including the provision of nest boxes for barn owls, the implementation of new lakes and translocation of large areas of wetland vegetation. Continued……
As part of the golf course and landscape proposals, some 35-acres will be allocated to extensive corridors of rich wildflower and rough grassland/wildlife areas, interspersed with native tree and shrub planting. This is being created to provide 'wildlife corridors' connecting the larger areas of permanent grassland, and will become a suitable habitat for insects, ground-nesting birds, small mammals, invertebrates, and butterflies. In turn, this will provide extensive and unbroken rough ground for animals higher up the food chain to hunt over, such as barn owls, badgers and foxes. An existing brook that runs through the development and its surrounding rough bank-side vegetation has been protected, and a number of lakes and ponds are being created throughout the site to house more wildlife such as water vole, ducks, waterfowl, swans, wading birds, amphibians and aquatic insects.
This will be a unique development that will see Wychwood Park become one of Cheshire's most exclusive addresses. 500 new homes will be made up of different architectural designs, ranging from cottages to large traditional country style family houses. Each has been designed in styles reflecting the local architectural vernacular, using elevational treatments of great variation such as Cheshire red brickwork, stone and timber, which are used in a variety of colours and finishes.
Wychwood Park is located in the heart of the beautiful Cheshire countryside; a county renowned for its outstanding landscapes, historic towns, gardens and stately homes. The nearby M6 provides access to Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. Direct trains run from Crewe to London (journey time approx. 2 hours) and an Intercity service connects with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to Europe. Manchester City Airport is approximately 40 miles away with regular domestic flights going to London (journey time under an hour) as well as international flights from over 100 different airlines.
Houses are currently available priced from £170,000 to £475,000.
For sales enquiries contact Countryside Residential's marketing suite or call 01270 829 022. The website address is: www.wychwoodpark.com or www.countryside-residential.co.uk
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Information correct as at 17/11/2000