Crayfields Park, the 22-acre mixed-use scheme providing quality office and industrial space in Orpington has launched new initiatives, with the installation and upkeep of beehives, aiming to create positive social and environmental impact on and around the site.

Three beehives, brought to Crayfields Park by management service operator Bee Responsible, are now in situ, contributing to local biodiversity and pollination. Bee Responsible will be delivering the ongoing hive management service and work with experienced beekeepers, with a focus on education and using locally sourced honey bees. Approximately 60,000 native honeybees will initially populate the three beehives, a number expected to expand over the coming months, bringing significant ecological benefits to Crayfields Park.

As part of the initiative, The Crayfields Park Management Team aim to set up an occupier volunteer group in the future, with opportunities for the estate’s tenants to learn more about beekeeping and management, as well as working with pupils at the neighbouring Riverside School.

Nigel Marsden, Senior Asset Manager, LGIM, commented: “Our commitment to Crayfields Park is more than just how we let space; we also want to evolve the park amenity in a way that generates employment and enjoyment of the site as a whole. The recent projects provide our office and industrial tenants with new assets that cater to their wellbeing, and that of the local area. Working with Bee Responsible means we are not only doing the right thing in supporting a key element of our ecosystem and enhancing biodiversity, but we’re also building a site that will create future opportunities for tenant engagement and community involvement beyond our boundary.”

Pamela Chambers, Founder of Bee Responsible, added: “Celebrating World Bee Day earlier this summer has really shone a light on how much we need to support our pollinators, biodiversity, and sustainability to ensure a much healthier legacy for the future. Working with companies like LGIM at Crayfields Park, our brilliant team of experienced beekeepers are able to do all of those things and more. Our bees have had a tough start to the year with all the wet weather, so initiatives like this will be critical to their ability to thrive.”

This news follows Crayfields Park securing a ‘Gold Winner’ Green Apple Environmental Award, for its river clean project. Having inspired local residents and stakeholder groups to take part, its success led to a second follow up event later in 2023 engaging students from Riverside, and a commitment to replicate the scheme in 2024. The beehive arrivals also follow on from the installation of new outdoor fitness equipment to encourage exercise, and working with Riverside School to create work experience opportunities.

ENDS

Crayfields Park a hive of activity with latest community initiative

Aver is an award-winning team specialising in the property, retail and leisure sectors. We represent some of the leading owners and asset managers in the industry on many of their best-known landmarks.