According to The National Trust, it is estimated that 97% of Britain’s wildflower meadows have disappeared in comparison to the 1930s*. To help combat this loss of habitat, local housebuilder David Wilson Homes is offering members of the community living in and around at its Meadowburne Place development on Willingdon, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, an opportunity to encourage a variety of wildlife into their gardens.

David Wilson Homes will make 40 seed bomb kits available which can be collected contact-free on residents’ daily walks from their nearby Sales and Marketing suite. Containing 22 species of native wildflower seeds and sustainable compost, the seed bomb kits are an alternative way of supporting greater ecological interaction and encouraging children to get back to nature, with over 500 kits being made available to families across the South East. To reserve their kit, families are encouraged to email dwhmeadowburneplace@dwh.co.ukand suggest a time for collection.

Together with the seed bomb kits, a webinar with a horticultural expert will be available on the Barratt Homes YouTube channel to support the planting process for residents, with educational resources for children to interact with their activity. It will be easily accessible, allowing families to watch and learn about the benefits of planting wildlife-friendly flora in the garden. Barratt is also encouraging families to share the progress of their mini-meadows on social media using the hashtag #BDWSeedBombs.

Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director for David Wilson Homes said: ‘With a primary focus on sustainability and ecologically friendly provisions within our developments, these seed bomb kits are another step towards tackling the worrying research released in relation to available open green space. This project supports Meadowburne Place’s already established network of integrated wildlife features onsite including woodlands, grassland, and bee-friendly planting, and has already had a fantastic take-up.

“It is clear that the pandemic has changed many families’ work-life balance and gardens have been increasingly vital for everyone’s mental and physical well-being over the past year. We hope that this activity can bring colour and new life into the outside space of our residents’ new homes.”

Coinciding with the start of spring, this campaign targets an easy and safe way of gradually rebuilding these habitats by members of the wider community. The seed bombs aim to raise awareness of the simple individual actions that can be taken throughout the year to support local wildlife such as bees and butterflies. Families can enjoy seeing their own wildlife habitats develop next to other sustainable projects on their development.

David Wilson Homes is currently building a selection of three-bedroom homes at its Meadowburne Place development, with prices starting from £339,995.