Leading housing provider Stonewater inspired Cub Scouts to turn housebuilders for wildlife at one of its new developments in North Yorkshire.
The recently completed scheme comprises 99 much-needed homes for affordable rent and shared ownership at Sherwood Croft, in the village of Thorpe Willoughby.
Stonewater teamed up with the local Cubs Pack to create a nature haven with 25 ‘bug hotels’ in a woodland area at the site in Leeds Road.
The housing association organised two workshops, run by Leeds Museum’s Assistant Curator of Entomology Milo Phillips, where the cubs learned about a wide variety of insects and built the mini hotels for them. They then visited the new housing scheme to find the best spots to place their creations, to help support the local wildlife.
Sarah Cook, Project Officer – Development at Stonewater, said: “We always like to work with the local community to make our new housing schemes a little bit different, such as creating public artwork as a feature for residents to enjoy.
“This time, we were keen to get young people in the area involved in doing something which would also help local flora and fauna. The cubs have been absolutely fantastic. It’s been a joy to see them so enthusiastic about such a worthwhile and inspiring project.”
Cub Scout Leader, Lewis Agar-Simms, commented: “The cubs have really enjoyed learning about different insects and building these cosy little hotels for them. We’re really proud of what they have achieved.
“Stonewater has been brilliant, putting on the workshops and providing materials for the project. It’s just been a great experience all round.”
Stonewater’s 99 affordable homes are a mix of two and three-bedroom houses for local people — 60 for affordable rent and 39 for shared ownership, all with private gardens.
The properties are part of a wider development by Miller Homes totalling 276 houses.
Stonewater has a longstanding commitment to installing distinctive features such as striking public art as a focal point at its new schemes, underlined by the launch of its national George Blunden Public Art Prize last year. West Midlands artists Bryn Hallett and Mark Rousseau won the competition’s £75,000 prize, along with the commission to develop installations at five new Stonewater developments.
To see the Cubs installing the insect hotels at the development, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yuz-Cr2mGRs
