Basingstoke Community Forum

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@admin14 hours ago

Have your say on local nature reserve plans

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is asking people for their views on its plans to designate Little Pen Wood as a local nature reserve.

People and local interest groups are being encouraged to have their say before midnight on Friday 28 February on the proposal to give the site the status that will help to manage and enhance its special features.

Local nature reserves are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally. They offer people special opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it and are actively managed to care for the natural features that make the site special.

Basingstoke and Deane currently has 10 local nature reserves including Crabtree and Black Dam, Beggarwood Park and Wigmore Heath in Tadley.

In support of the borough council’s ecological emergency declaration, a number of potential sites have been reviewed within the borough. It takes around 18 months to declare a site a local nature reserve and Little Pen Wood is being considered because of its semi-natural ancient woodland with special wildlife and wetland habitats and its importance to the local community.

Working with Natural England, the borough council is asking local people and interest groups for their views on the plan as part of a consultation which started today (Friday 17 January). People have until midnight on Friday 28 February 2025 to have their say. Local residents are being written to and feedback can be given online at https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/Little-Pen-Wood-LNR, alternatively paper copies can be requested by calling 01256 844844.

If Little Pen Wood is declared a local nature reserve people will still be able to use the site as normal for activities such as dog walking, running, cycling. Further involvement would be encouraged through volunteering in the site’s management and by encouraging the use of the site as an educational resource. The borough council’s Ranger Services team is also looking for people interested in forming a Little Pen Wood Conservation Group with a first work party planned for September. People interested in getting involved should email wildlifeconservation@basingstoke.gov.uk.

Cabinet Member for the Climate and Ecological Emergency Cllr Chris Tomblin said: “As a borough we have declared an ecological emergency ensuring the natural environment is a priority for us as a council and we are working hard with our communities to protect areas for habitat restoration and biodiversity gain.

“We already have 10 local nature reserves and have been exploring sites in the borough from an approved prioritised list to expand on this. We have identified Little Pen Wood as a potential site and are now seeking the views of our residents and local interest groups on whether this should be taken forward as a new site of special interest.”