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Local Nature Reserves

Local Authorities award Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status to sites following guidelines set out by English Nature. It is a statutory designation. The scheme is important to encourage landowners to manage their sites to benefit wildlife, which will contribute to local biodiversity. Equally significant is that they offer easily accessible places for people to enjoy nature.

There are over 1,000 LNRs in England ranging from ancient woodlands to abandoned landfill sites. In total they cover 35,000 hectares, which means they make a vital contribution to biodiversity in this country.

The following sites are the LNRs managed by the Mersey Valley Warden Service.

Broad Ees Dole

Chorlton Water Park

Chorlton Ees and Ivy Green designated summer 2006

Chorlton Ees and Ivy Green have long been considered a nature reserve by the wardens and people who use the sites. This summer, the area was officially designated a Local Nature Reserve by English Nature and the City Council.

 

The friends group and parents & pupils from Brookburn School joined the wardens on a sunny July evening for a summer picnic and bug hunt to celebrate.

 Councillors Mark Hackett, Val Stevens and Sheila Newman present a plaque to Dave Bishop from the friends group

To obtain LNR status, sites need to be a resource for people to enjoy & learn about the environment, as well as be rich in wildlife. The stretches of woodland edge combined with scrub and rough grassland make Chorlton Ees and Ivy Green an excellent habitat for bird species, and the flora of the area is diverse. Combined with an active Friends group, and the importance the sites have for local people, dog walkers and bird watchers, the area was deserving of the LNR designation.

 

LNR is a statutory designation which will provide the sites with legal protection from development. It means that decisions on planning applications in the area will be made with increased consideration to their effect on the natural environment.

 

The Mersey Valley Warden Service has now obtained LNR status for three of its sites, with Ivy Green & Chorlton Ees joining Chorlton Water Park and Broad Ees Dole.

Thanks to Jude McPhereson and Brookburn School  for making colourful decorations for the evening.
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