The bees are now settled at Berkeley’s Highcroft development in Wallingford, where they are being cared for by Marian Vasiliu, a lifelong beekeeper and project manager.

They are part of Berkeley’s broader commitment to biodiversity at Highcroft, which includes more than 18 acres of open space, the planting of over 1,000 new trees, and features such as allotments, swales, ponds, wildflower meadows and hedgerows.

Despite the young colony arriving at Highcroft only four weeks ago, eggs and larvae have already been found inside the hive.

Mr Vasiliu said: “It means a lot to care for the hives at Highcroft because I already feel connected to the site through my work here.

“With West Point Construction, I’m helping prepare the next phase of the development for the people who will one day call it home.

“With my beekeeping, I’m creating the conditions for a new family to settle and thrive.”

Mr Vasiliu began beekeeping at age 13 in Romania when a swarm settled at his grandmother’s home in Nadifa, in the Moldavia region.

He said: “I saw them land and I begged my father to let me collect them in a large wooden box.

“Afterwards, I read as many books as I could on beekeeping and hive management, and taught myself how best to look after these amazing and important creatures.”

He now keeps 13 hives of his own in Aylesbury and describes beekeeping as a passion, not a business.

The Highcroft hives were previously managed by Yvonne Parks, who cared for them over the past three years and oversaw several honey harvests.

Ms Parks said: “It has been lovely to see the hives become part of Highcroft over the last three years, and we have enjoyed several honey harvests along the way.”

She encourages residents and visitors to plant a variety of flowering plants, especially annuals and Mediterranean herbs like lavender and thyme to support pollinators.

Stephen Kirwan, managing director at Berkeley, welcomed the new arrivals.

He said: “The arrival of a new bee family at Highcroft is a wonderful moment for the development, and Marian and Yvonne’s stories give it a real human connection.”

Berkeley is celebrating the success to mark World Bee Day, on May 20, which recognises the critical role of bees and other pollinators in maintaining biodiversity and food production.

According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, pollinators affect 35 per cent of global crop production, with more than 80 per cent of flowering plant species are pollinated by animals, mostly insects.

According to new analysis from property platform Rightmove, demand for first-time buyer homes in the area has risen by 45 per cent year-on-year, bucking the national trend of slowing buyer interest.

Rightmove defines first-time buyer properties as homes with up to two bedrooms—typically considered entry-level on the property ladder.

The data suggests that a 37 per cent increase in available properties of this type has fuelled the demand, with flat house prices making purchasing more achievable for new buyers.

Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: “First-time buyers are more exposed to mortgage rate rises, so it was quite surprising to see this sector holding up more strongly than the wider market.

“While overall buyer demand is lower than last year, there are pockets of Great Britain seeing more activity, where local factors are making a real difference.

“In some of these areas, a rise in the number of suitable starter homes coming onto the market, alongside prices edging down year-on-year, is helping to improve affordability and support demand for first-time buyer properties.”

The findings highlight how local market conditions are influencing demand for starter homes.

Mary-Lou Press, president of NAEA Propertymark (National Association of Estate Agents), said that regional differences in house price growth continue to affect buyer behaviour across the UK.

Ms Press said: “Today’s figures show Scotland continuing to outperform the wider UK market for annual house price growth, with average prices increasing by 1.6 per cent year-on-year while UK-wide growth has remained flat.

“For many existing homeowners, steady price growth may help support onward moves during the traditionally busier spring and summer period, particularly where rising equity can assist with deposits and affordability when moving up the housing ladder.”

Nationally, first-time buyer demand was down four per cent in April compared to the same month in 2025.

Despite this decline, first-time buyers still make up a majority of home purchases.

Data from UK Finance shows they account for around 55 per cent of transactions, up from 39 per cent 15 years ago.

The average monthly mortgage payment for a first-time buyer now stands at £998.

West Oxfordshire’s strong performance is attributed to a combination of increased housing supply and stable prices, creating a rare pocket of affordability and opportunity for those looking to get onto the property ladder.

Other high-demand areas include East Staffordshire (up 31 per cent) and Bracknell Forest (up 28 per cent).

Asset Advantage aims to boost access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a team focused on supporting business growth and investment.

Based in Basingstoke, the lender offers asset finance and business development-driven loans to SMEs across Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire.

The new team will provide funding for equipment, machinery, facilities, and business acquisitions, including management buy-outs and buy-ins.

Gary Thompson, sales director at Asset Advantage, said: “Asset Advantage has been supporting businesses across the region for decades, and now we will do that through our specialist SME lending team.

“The investment in our new team aims to increase access and options to SMEs looking to invest, expand, or acquire through flexible business finance.”

He added that access to finance is often a barrier for SMEs, especially when dealing with mainstream lenders.

Mr Thompson said: “Despite significant demand from the region’s small and medium-sized firms, access can often be a real stumbling block – particularly when dealing with more mainstream national funders.

“Being based in the region and with our expertise as a specialist funder, our hope is that we can engage with SMEs and help them realise their growth ambitions.”

The team supports businesses at all stages of growth, from startups to long-established firms, and serves a wide range of sectors.

Recent investments by Asset Advantage have focused on expanding its team, enhancing processes, and broadening its funding services.