New Honeybee Colony Supports Biodiversity at Highcroft Wallingford
Berkeley’s Wallingford development welcomes a new honeybee colony as part of its focus on biodiversity, green open space and sustainable placemaking.
A new honeybee colony has settled into one of the dedicated hives at Berkeley's Highcroft development in Wallingford, highlighting the role biodiversity and green open space play within the growing community.
The hive forms part of a wider biodiversity strategy at Highcroft, where more than 18 acres of open space, wildflower meadows, new tree planting and natural habitats are being created to support pollinators and local wildlife.
As Berkeley delivers new homes in Wallingford, features such as the honeybee hives, wildflower meadows and new tree planting are helping create a community where people and nature can thrive together.
Honeybees Settle into Highcroft Wallingford
The colony is being cared for by Marian Vasiliu, a lifelong beekeeper who is also Project Manager for Berkeley’s contractor carrying out groundworks on phase three of the development.
The arrival coincided with World Bee Day in May, which raises awareness of the important role bees and other pollinators play in supporting biodiversity worldwide.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, pollinators affect 35% of global crop production, while more than 80% of flowering plant species are pollinated by animals, mostly insects. *
The young colony recently moved into one of Highcroft's hives. Eggs and larvae have already been found inside, and Marian hopes the hive will continue to grow through the summer.
“It means a lot to care for the hives at Highcroft because I already feel connected to the site through my work here,” he said.
“With West Point Construction, I’m helping prepare the next phase of the development for the people who will one day call it home. With my beekeeping, I’m creating the conditions for a new family to settle and thrive.”
A Lifelong Passion for Beekeeping
For Marian, who now keeps 13 of his own hives in Aylesbury, the arrival continues a lifelong connection with bees that began when he was 13 years old in Romania.
His first hive was started after a swarm landed at his grandmother’s home in Nadifa, a village in the Moldavia region.
“I saw them land and I begged my father to let me collect them in a large wooden box. Afterwards, I read as many books as I could on beekeeping and hive management and taught myself how best to look after these amazing and important creatures.”
Marian later moved away from beekeeping, studying Forestry and then moving to North London, while his uncle took over the hives back in Moldavia. However, after moving to Aylesbury, Marian noticed wild swarms landing in his garden.
“I always say the bees found me. Sometimes it feels like the bees are looking for a beekeeper, not the other way around.
“I don’t keep bees for money; it is a passion. My family joke about when am I going to see my ‘queens’ again, but I like looking after them and watching the colonies grow.”
Supporting Pollinators at Highcroft
The Highcroft hives were previously managed by local beekeeper Yvonne Parks, who has cared for previous colonies of honeybees at the development over the last three years. During that time, the hives produced several honey harvests while helping to pollinate flowers across the gardens, allotments and green spaces nearby.
Yvonne said, “It has been lovely to see the hives become part of Highcroft over the last three years, and we have enjoyed several honey harvests along the way.”
Yvonne added, “If people would like to support pollinating insects, planting a wide variety of flowering plants is one of the best things they can do, especially annuals and Mediterranean herbs like lavender and thyme.”
Biodiversity and Green Open Space at Highcroft
At Highcroft, the hives form part of Berkeley’s wider focus on nature and biodiversity. More than 18 acres of open space are being delivered across the development, alongside the planting of over 1,000 new trees, with allotments, swales, ponds, wildflower meadows, hedgerows and other features providing habitat and seasonal variety across the site.
Stephen Kirwan, Managing Director, said, “The arrival of a new bee family at Highcroft is a wonderful moment for the development, and Marian and Yvonne’s stories give it a real human connection.
“Pollinators play an important role in supporting biodiversity, and the hives are a special part of the wider work being done to support nature across Highcroft.”
New Homes in Wallingford at Highcroft
Highcroft, a Wallingford development by Berkeley, offers a range of two- to five-bedroom new homes for all generations in a landscaped setting close to Wallingford town centre. The development also includes a new primary school, 2.2 acres of sports pitches, play areas, footpath connections, allotments and nature trails.
Prospective buyers can currently view The Violet, a three-bedroom show home ready to move into now, as well as The Cornflower, a four-bedroom detached show home designed for modern family living, and The Daffodil, a stunning five-bedroom show home at Highcroft.
Highcroft offers new homes in Wallingford designed for modern family living, surrounded by green open space and amenities. New homes at Highcroft start from £395,000. The Sales and Marketing Suite is located at Calvin Thomas Way, Wallingford, OX10 0FN.
Visit Highcroft Wallingford
For more information or to book an appointment, please visit our Highcroft development page or contact the sales team on 01865 985 384.