Management of Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet has today, Monday 15 April, agreed to establish a Management Steering Group for the future management, operation and funding of the Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve.

In September 2023, the site of the Lench Meadows became what is now known as Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve. The area covers land owned by both Stratford-on-Avon District Council (SDC) and Stratford Town Trust (STT).

As part of the application to become a Nature Reserve, SDC and STT have produced a Framework Landscape Ecological Management Plan (FLEMP), in consultation with ecological experts. This sets out the ongoing required management of the land and establishes the biodiversity net gain units (BNGs) that will fund the continued ecological enhancement of the reserve. BNG is a statutory scheme introduced this year, whereby developers must ensure that they contribute to the enhancement of biodiversity in an area.

As the two responsible landowning bodies, SDC and STT have agreed on detailed arrangements necessary to ensure that the obligations are met and that the Nature Reserve is managed in a way which will deliver significant ecological enhancement on site. The proposal outlines that these arrangements are implemented within 6 months, so that obligations are fulfilled in a timely manner.

The Management Steering Group will oversee the implementation of the FLEMP. The delivery of the enhancements identified within FLEMP requires the appointment of an ecological contractor to ensure that the site's ecological value is maximised and that BNGs continue to fund the management of the site.

Cllr Susan Juned, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: "The implementation of a specialist Management Steering Group is an essential step towards the correct maintenance of this important Local Nature Reserve, as they will set out the responsibilities and obligations SDC and STT have when overseeing the site. We aim to listen and work with community groups, residents and volunteers who are passionate about the site."

Sara Aspley, Chief Executive at Stratford Town Trust said: "We're pleased to continue our partnership with SDC to support and enhance conservation at Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve. The creation of the Management Steering Group establishes our commitment to preserving the site for our community and visitors, while protecting and maintaining habitats now and in the future."