Hot on the heels of West Yorkshire’s first National Nature Reserve designation (the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve) Bradford Council has been working with Friends of Groups across the district, with Natural England and Wharfedale Naturalists trustee Steve Parkes to designate eight new Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).
The consultation for the National Nature Reserve was one of Natural England’s highest response rated consultations (with 2,214 responses) and the results showed that there are many nature sites across the District treasured by residents for the wildlife they support and opportunities they provide to get involved with active management. Sites were selected because of their value for wildlife but also where active Friends Of or other groups are in place and management plans, which is a requirement of the designation.
The designation of Local Nature Reserves is possible under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and is intended to protect areas for wildlife and people’s engagement with it. Whilst the National Nature Reserve includes sites in the centre and north of the district, the council is keen that people across the district benefit from the raised profile the designation provides.
The sites to be designated are:
- Judy Woods (Royds and Wyke Wards),
- Littlemoor Park (Queensbury),
- Low Wood (Craven),
- Middleton Woods (Ilkley),
- Northcliffe Park (Shipley),
- Park Wood (Keighley),
- Prince of Wales Park (Bingley)
- Undercliffe Cemetery (Bolton and Undercliffe)
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The designation of these new Local Nature Reserves will boost the profile of these excellent wildlife sites, encourage people to visit and join the Friends of Groups for the physical and mental health benefits and strengthen resilience of nature in Bradford District. We have to say a big thank you to Natural England and Steve Parkes from Wharfedale Naturalists for their help identifying and designating the LNRs”
Carolyn Bowe, chair of the Friends of Littlemoor Park said: “We’re very excited to be designating Littlemoor Park as a Local Nature Reserve. Our Friends Of group has been working with Bradford Council to manage habits in the park for nature and people. The LNR designation will help us to continue to do this but also bring in funding and people to help us do even more.”
Paul Duncan, Area Deputy Director for Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire at Natural England, said: “Creating these new Local Nature Reserves is another step along the road of enhancing the biodiversity of Bradford– making it a bigger, better and more joined up place for wildlife to thrive.
“These reserves will increase opportunities for leisure, recreation, and improved access to vital green spaces. Having a better connection to nature on the doorstep for so many people really is a cause for celebration.”
The council and its partners will work with the Friends Of groups to improve management and engagement on the LNRs for the benefits to wildlife but also the health and wellbeing of residents encouraged to visit the sites.
Natural England’s Green Infrastructure standards suggest that a district with the population of Bradford should have 550ha of Local Nature Reserve. The council will continue to work with partners to identify and designate more sites suitable for Local Nature Reserve designation to improve access to nature for resident across the district.
