Legless regulars at pub site are going nowhere (From Worcester News)

Legless regulars at pub site are going nowhere

1:50pm Saturday 6th October 2012 in News By Sarah Davies

SOME slippery customers of a former Worcester pub have been given new homes.

Worcester Community Housing’s Environment Team unearthed a colony of increasingly rare slow worms on the site of the now demolished Drakes Drum in Tudor Way, Dines Green.

Just under 200 of the creatures – a type of legless lizard – were found in what turned out to be a nursery for the reptiles.

The housing association has now relocated the critters and created two low cost hotels out of rocks and earth to ensure they continue to thrive.

Property services director Bill Tebay said: “We knew that there were slow worms on the site before we started work and had already agreed to rehouse them, but we had no idea of the scale. It is quite unique to find so many in one place.

“We have been working to create a home for them that meets their needs and allows them to continue to flourish, whilst at the same time making sure work to create affordable homes on the site is not delayed.”

Work is due to start next week on the Drakes Drum site as part of a £12 million regeneration of the Dines Green estate.

It will be transformed into 23 two-bed affordable flats, 29 parking bays and a grassed garden area.