WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust and Hills Waste Solutions have joined forces to give declining bee populations a helping hand with the creation of a crucial new diverse habitat for wildlife on a closed section of a landfill site in North Swindon.

Part of the Chapel Farm landfill site is undergoing works to transform the area into a haven for bees, insects, small mammals, ground nesting birds and reptiles.

Mike Webster, group director at Hills Waste Solutions, said: “The landfill operations at Chapel Farm are due to end in 2014 and Hills will remain responsible for the long-term aftercare of the site. As part of our restoration planning we have been working with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on this project to create a bee-friendly habitat that will also be a haven for other wildlife.”

The final phase of the project will begin this spring with the installation of beehives. Then green hay, rich in meadow plant seeds will be spread on the site.