Working with developers
Over the last 10 years of Hedgehog Street, we’ve worked with local and national development companies to try to ensure that new-build sites are accessible to hedgehogs. Habitat fragmentation is one of the factors contributing to hedgehog declines seen in recent years, and Hedgehog Highways can help to alleviate this issue. These small gaps in fences allow hedgehogs to access gardens, which can provide vital foraging and nesting habitat.
Hedgehogs are legally protected under schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. This means that the animals themselves are protected to some degree but their nesting sites are not, as is the case with some other species. With an estimated 200,000 houses being built in the UK each year, and no legal imperative to mitigate for lost hedgehog habitat, our work with developers is important for reducing further habitat loss from land use change.
Below are developers and housing associations we have either worked with, or who have told us that they are installing hedgehog highways on some or all sites.
Barratt Homes (in partnership with RSPB)
Bovis Homes (part of Vistry Group)
Hill Holdings
Linden Homes (part of Vistry Group)
Kier Living
PA Housing
Sanctuary Homes
Thakeham
Urban and Civic
If you’re a developer and have been installing Hedgehog Highways, let us know via hedgehog@ptes.org.
Resources
If you’re concerned a development may affect hedgehogs, here’s some advice.
Check out our Hedgehogs and Development guide, this is a great resource to pass along to developers and local planning authorities. We can also post out hard copies – email us at hedgehog@ptes.org
