Five new nature reserves will be created on existing green spaces across Nottinghamshire. There are currently 67 Local Nature Reserves across the county, six of which are owned by Nottinghamshire Council, but this year the council plans to create an additional five nature reserves.
These additional Local Nature Reserves will be created on existing County Council green spaces. The proposed sites include Cotgrave Country Park and Cotgrave Greenway, Dob Park in Hucknall, Kimberley Green and the Great North Railway Path in Kimberley, Newstead Old Coal Stocking Yard, Freckland Wood and the Linby Trail.
The council is currently working on the first steps of the designation process, which includes preparing detailed management plans for the sites that will be submitted to Natural England. Councillor 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.
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"The sites put forward are at the heart of local communities, and provide accessible natural spaces to explore, play, learn and enjoy - which are important for wellbeing and quality of life." Each of the proposed sites were selected to enable the spread of nature reserves across Nottinghamshire, and they are all managed by the Council’s Green Spaces service.
Councillor Cottee continued: "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.
"There will be official opening ceremonies for these LNRs once they’re formally declared." Councillor Mike Adams, Environment Ambassador for Nottinghamshire County Council added: “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 LNRs we can enhance and conserve local nature and ecosystems and help mitigate and better deal with the effects of climate." Residents local to the proposed locations will be consulted on the draft declarations and can view existing sites via Natural England’s Designated Sites View website.
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