A GUIDE to some of the wildlife in and around Barratt Homes’ Royal View development has been captured in a bright new mural installed at the site near Bridgwater.

The local 1st North Petherton Brownies were commissioned by the housing developer to capture as many of the different birds and animals that are native to the local countryside on a mural which will be by the development’s sales office, due to open later this month.

The project reflects Barratt Homes’ commitment to building wildlife into new housing developments wherever possible.

The five-star housebuilder has had an award-winning partnership with the RSPB, the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, since 2014 and has made it its mission to improve the way in which nature and wildlife are incorporated into its new communities.

Amongst on-site initiatives are the planting of an average of 20 shrubs and trees for each home built – many of them bee-friendly - and the installation of swift brick nesting boxes.

The mural includes many birds that can be spotted at Royal View, including robins, sparrows, and blue tits as well as frogs and toads.

The drawings by the 7-10-year-olds were then scanned and mounted onto the metal artwork.

It is the second project in which Barratt Homes has involved the Brownies.

Last year they put together a time capsule which is now buried in the foundations of one of the first of the 130 homes being built at the new development which has views of the Quantock Hills.

Adrienne Parry, Snowy Owl for the 1st North Petherton Brownies said: “The Brownies have been really excited and involved in this project as it meant they could learn so much about how wildlife native to the UK can co-exist alongside our homes and how we can look after and encourage it day to day.”

This development’s name, Royal View, is a reference to its heritage as the original site of a deer park owned by King Henry II who used timber from its oak trees to build nearby churches and buildings.

The site has easy access to the Quantock Hills to the west, designated England’s first official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956.

Andrea Pilgrim, sales director at Barratt Bristol, which covers the wider South West area, commented: “We were really pleased to be able to work with the 1st North Petherton Brownies on this second project.

“They are such an enthusiastic pack, it’s been an absolute pleasure and we are delighted with this lasting reminder of just how much wildlife we have on this site.

“With a full range of homes now under construction here, we’re looking forward to building a vibrant, balanced community with plenty to offer from beautiful countryside and walks down the River Parrett, to play areas, cycle paths, open spaces, and a nearby farm shop.”