Promotion: David Wilson Homes’ tips for being a good neighbour

Since our Anglia division was established in July 2022, we have been working closely with the local communities in Norfolk to provide significant investment and donations, complete volunteering and fundraising work for local charities, and work with schools on a variety of exciting educational projects. 

Alison Page, sales director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Anglia (Image: Barratt and David Wilson Homes Anglia)

Across our four developments in Cringleford, Horsford, Watton and Sprowston, we have contributed more than £16.5 million through our planning agreements towards the enhancement of local educational and health facilities and highways and travel improvements.

As part of our own outreach to the local community, we have provided educational books to schools in Watton and Horsford, handed over hi-vis kit bags to schools in Sprowston and Watton, and donated funds towards a laptop at Carbrooke Community Hub.

We have also collected and donated large wheelbarrows of supplies for The Feed in Norwich and arranged for a storyteller to visit a school in Watton for National Storytelling Week.

Alison Page says one of the ways you can be a good neighbour is to keep on top of your garden (Image: Getty Images)

These are just a few of the ways in which we have worked towards our goal of improving our presence as a helpful neighbour, but for anyone wanting to become more neighbourly themselves, here are some top tips. 

• Introduce yourself. Whether you have recently moved into your new home, or have had new residents move in around you recently, introducing yourself by saying hello or offering a welcoming gift can really help to put others at ease. You can even share or ask for some tips about the local area, which helps others to settle in quicker. 
• Keep aware of shared walls and spaces. If you are sharing a wall with your neighbour, try to place the noisier household appliances such as washing machines, televisions and speakers away from these walls. Be aware of the time of day, and if you are a nightowl, consider investing in headphones!
• Learn and practice the parking etiquette. Make sure to keep other driveways and access points clear and to avoid waking others, try not to over-rev the engine of your vehicle early in the morning or late at night.
• Maintain a well-kept garden. To keep the neighbourhood looking clean, or to ensure plants don’t overgrow into your neighbour’s territory, we’d advise to weed your garden(s) and mow the lawn regularly. Keep any trees, flowers and bushes well maintained, and store any hazardous equipment away.
• Take the rubbish out on the correct day. We would advise to only put your rubbish out on the day it is due for collection. If you accidentally miss the collection, bring it back onto your property and contain it as well as you can, as it can attract vermin, insects, and other pests.

For more information, call the Barratt Homes sales team on 03301 735 749 or the David Wilson Homes sales team on 03308 187 788.