Beyond Housing

05/04/22

Beyond Housing is preparing to welcome new residents – both human and animal – to its latest development in New Marske, which features a ‘hedgehog highway.’

The 23 home scheme, which has been developed with Gus Robinson Developments, contains bungalows and two-and-three-bedroom houses and is due for completion in early May.

At the inception of the project, Beyond Housing joined forces with Redcar and Cleveland councillor and hedgehog expert, Anne Watts, who regularly cares for multiple hedgehogs at her home in Guisborough.

Cllr Watts had advocated for the creation of a hedgehog highway, a system of tunnels to allow the visiting creatures safe passage, through the gardens of the new homes at a meeting of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s regulatory committee before backing Beyond Housing’s planning application for the £2.5 million development.

While the hedgehogs prefer to travel at night and rest up in woodpiles or small burrows during the day, human residents of the new houses will be able to access the affordable rent scheme via Tees Valley Homefinder.

Elaine Dance, Assistant Project Manager at Beyond Housing, said: “At Beyond Housing we are committed to being good neighbours, protecting the environment and building sustainable developments for the future. We’ve built this Hedgehog Highway in New Marske because we have developed in a rural area and are committed to protecting the hedgehog population."

Cllr Anne Watts, Redcar and Cleveland councillor and hedgehog expert, said: “Hedgehog Highways are very important to stop the decline of the numbers. I’m really pleased with what I’ve seen here, so this is going to improve life for the hedgehogs.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF BEYOND HOUSING

CONTACT: Josh Mason on 01325 363436

Notes to editors:

Beyond Housing is one of the largest registered housing providers in the North East and North Yorkshire. With its regional offices in Redcar and Scarborough, the organisation is responsible for the letting, management and maintenance of over 15,000 homes across the north east and North Yorkshire.

Beyond Housing is committed to going beyond the bricks and mortar to help its communities and region thrive. By providing quality homes people want to live in alongside valuable additional services delivered by passionate people who want to help, Beyond Housing contributes to the prosperity, wider regeneration, and sustainability of its communities, creating neighbourhoods that will flourish well into the future.

Beyond Housing is a Community Benefit Society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 and regulated by both the Homes and Communities Agency and the Financial Conduct Authority.

For more information visit beyondhousing.co.uk.

Find Beyond Housing on social media:

Facebook: BeyondHousingUK

Twitter: @beyondhousinguk