Three green spaces in Rushcliffe are set to become Local Nature Reserves after councillors approved new protections.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s cabinet agreed the designations at a meeting on Monday 23 June.
The three sites are The Green Line in West Bridgford, Meadow Park in East Leake and Springdale Wood in East Bridgford.
Local Nature Reserves are protected areas designated by local authorities because of their nature conservation interest and educational value.
Cllr Debbie English, presenting the report, said the move would support the council’s work to conserve and enhance biodiversity and meet its conservation strategy.
The Green Line in West Bridgford is part of a former railway line running from Melton Road to Boundary Road.
The site has been used as a nature area and public open space since 1988. It is owned by the council, with day-to-day management shared with The Green Line Conservation Group under a service level agreement.
It has also been designated as a Local Wildlife Site by the Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Records Centre.
Meadow Park in East Leake covers almost 18 hectares of former agricultural land. It was given to the council in 1995 as a permanent leisure facility for local residents.
The park remains under the control of Rushcliffe Borough Council, but day-to-day management has been carried out by East Leake Parish Council and Friends of Meadow Park volunteers since 2009.
The Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Records Centre designated Meadow Park as a Local Wildlife Site on 1 May 2024.
Springdale Wood in East Bridgford is a 1.41-hectare site created by the Woodland Trust in November 1999 on former arable land.
East Bridgford Parish Council took a 999-year lease on the site in 2016, and day-to-day management is provided by East Bridgford Wildlife and Biodiversity Community Interest Company.
Because the council does not own Springdale Wood, a management agreement has been agreed between Rushcliffe Borough Council, East Bridgford Parish Council and the Woodland Trust to allow the site to be declared as a Local Nature Reserve.
Natural England was consulted on the proposed designations and supported the plans.
Cabinet was told Natural England said declaration as Local Nature Reserves would help ensure future management of the sites for the benefit of local communities, outdoor recreation, wildlife and green infrastructure connectivity.
The cabinet approved the recommendations unanimously.
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