Buying a property with a ‘wildlife-friendly’ garden would be worth paying more for, results from a joint – survey of homeowners by the RSPB and Rightmove suggest.
The poll of more than 1,500 people in the UK discovered that almost 70% would consider paying more for a house if it had a garden that benefited wildlife. The survey was launched as part of the RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign that is encouraging people to do more to provide a home to wildlife in their gardens.
Northern Ireland appeared at the top of the list of wildlife lovers, with 46% saying that they would “definitely” or “probably” pay more for a wildlife-friendly property.
In Wales, however, just 7% decided that they would definitely pay more for having a home that was more hospitable for to animals, compared to the national average of 14%.
“The results of this survey are really encouraging. To find out that the majority of people in the UK think having a wildlife-friendly garden is so important they’d consider paying more for one is great news,” Sarah Houghton, RSPB campaign manager, said.
“Nature in the UK is in trouble and some of our more familiar garden species are amongst those suffering serious declines.
“Gardens provide a valuable lifeline for things like starlings, toads, hedgehogs and butterflies, so we want to persuade people to give nature a home where they live – it could really help make a difference.”
Source: Interflora – Wildlife-Friendly Gardens ‘Important’ for Many
