Native orchids saved during new homes development

Much-needed new homes are coming to Birmingham with the launch of our new development this weekend.

Holly Fields on Holly Lane, Erdington, is a development of 187 homes on the site of the former Nock brick works.

The properties will be a mix of two-bed apartments, two and three-bed semi-detached and terraced houses, and three and four-bed detached homes. Prices will start at £150,000 for the apartments and £220,000 for a two-bed house. Of the properties, 19 will be affordable (10%).

Construction of the development brought about an unusual challenge for Persimmon: the protection and retention of two different species of native orchid – the pyramidal orchid and bee orchid.

Emily Berville Charlesworth, Senior Planner at Persimmon Central, said: “It was considered highly desirable to retain a viable population of these unusual and spectacular flowers, given the urban context and relative scarcity of wild orchids within the urban West Midlands area.

“However, due to the significant amount of land remediation required, it was quickly apparent that retaining and protecting a population of the orchids on site throughout the construction period would be challenging. 

“We appointed Focus Environmental Consultants to explore the possibility of an orchid translocation and subsequent reintroduction to the site. With help from a national expert in the propagation and care of UK orchids, a total of 23 pyramidal and bee orchid spikes were translocated from the development site in June 2019.  These have subsequently been maintained and propagated off site in a specialist ‘orchid nursery’ in readiness for their return to the re-landscaped areas of the development.

“Bee and pyramidal orchids have complex requirements for successful establishment. For a translocated orchid population to be self-sustaining, it is essential to retain some soil from the area where the orchids are growing; this soil must then be used to inoculate the replanting area with fungal mycorrhiza. As such, around five tonnes of ‘orchid topsoil’ have been carefully excavated and set aside ready for reintroducing the orchids back to the site in the near future.”

Erdington is a lively and popular suburb of Birmingham, offering community living but with easy access to the city. With its vibrant high street, superb transport links and proximity to a wide range of attractions, Holly Fields is a great place for first time buyers or growing families to make their home.

Sarah Preston, sales director for Persimmon Homes Central, said: “We are thrilled to launch our latest development and release for sale a range of new homes in Erdington, often cited as one of the most up-and-coming areas of Birmingham.

“We have a number of schemes available to help customers step onto or up the property ladder, including Part Exchange, Early Bird schemes and the Government backed Help to Buy equity loan scheme. Our helpful and knowledgeable sales advisors will be able to talk you through the options that are right for you.”

For further information about Holly Fields contact the sales office on 0121 817 8403.