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Six new mini nature reserves approved in Staffordshire

Six new mini nature reserves have been approved by Lichfield District Council. It is hoped that the reserves will enhance biodiversity and increase residents’ access to natural spaces.

By Jonathan Sutton
Published

The spaces set to be located across the district build on the already established reserves at Beacon Park, Lichfield, and in Redwood Park, Burntwood. The proposed nature reserves will balance the needs of people and wildlife, featuring areas of long grass rich in wildflowers and pollinators alongside short grass to maintain easy access for walkers and visitors.

There will be opportunities to introduce new wildlife-friendly features such as bee banks, nature scrapes, hedgehog shelters and even ponds.

A section of Shortbutts Park and of five other open spaces in the district are proposed for the creation of nature reserves. Credit: Lichfield District Council. With permission for all LDRS partners
A section of Shortbutts Park and of five other open spaces in the district are proposed for the creation of nature reserves. Photo: Lichfield District Council

The six mini nature reserves are set to be located:

  • Land off Eastern Avenue (west of Curborough Road opposite Stychbrook Park)

  • Land off Coulter Lane

  • Darnford Park

  • Saddlers Park

  • Shortbutts Park

  • York Close Woodland

Councillor Phil Whitehouse, cabinet member for operational services, parks and waste called the scheme a "fantastic idea".

He said: “This is increasing the availability of open spaces and making them better for the public. I think what we’re done so far is showing it’s a great opportunity to move forward.

“It enhances the biodiversity and residents' access to natural spaces, it offsets and replaces biodiversity lost as a result of having growth and development in the district and it enables income to be generated through the ecology brokerage service.”

The spaces will be leased from the council to Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services (LWM), the council’s wholly owned company. LWM will manage each nature reserve site on a day-to-day basis, while Lichfield District Council retains ownership and oversight.

Each reserve will be protected and managed for at least 30 years, funded through contributions from developers who offset the biodiversity impacts of new developments.