New Local Nature Reserves planned for Nottinghamshire

Five new Local Nature Reserves are to be created by Nottinghamshire County Council on existing green spaces.

There are currently 67 Local Nature Reserves across the county, six of which are owned by the county council.

The council is currently in the first steps of the designation process, including preparing detailed management plans for the sites that will be submitted to Natural England.

The sites proposed include Cotgrave Country Park and Cotgrave Greenway; Dob Park, Hucknall; Kimberley Green and the Great North Railway Path, Kimberley; Newstead Old Coal Stocking Yard, Freckland Wood; and the Linby Trail

John Cottee, cabinet member for communities said: “The creation of new Local Nature Reserves is a commitment we promised to deliver in the Nottinghamshire Plan and the county council’s environment strategy — it’s all part of our drive to make the most of Nottinghamshire’s green spaces for the benefit of our residents and wildlife.

“The sites put forward are at the heart of their communities, and provide accessible natural spaces to explore, play, learn and enjoy — which are important for wellbeing and quality of life."

The proposed sites have been selected to contribute to the geographic spread of Local Nature Reserves across the county and are all managed by the council’s green spaces service.

Mr Cottee added: “As we already own or manage these green spaces, there’ll be no extra cost to the taxpayer to manage them as Local Nature Reserves.

"The designations will, however, ensure that our focus is firmly on the opportunities that they can provide for people to connect with nature, as well as their importance for biodiversity."

Mike Adams, Environment Ambassador for Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Creating Local Nature Reserves across Nottinghamshire is an important part of the county council’s natural greenspace provision and an essential contribution to the country’s green infrastructure.

"In designating and managing these sites as Local Nature Reserves we can enhance and conserve local nature and ecosystems and help mitigate and better deal with the effects of climate.”

Residents will be consulted on the draft declarations and can view existing sites via Natural England’s Designated Sites View website, which provides information about Local Nature Reserves to the public.