Summary July 2017
The two acre site of the nature reserve lies between the Recreation Ground on the Heatherlands Estate and the Land of Nod. The land, owned by East Hants District Council, had become overgrown and largely inaccessible since it ceased to be used as a landfill site in the 1970s. By 2015, it was being increasingly used for fly tipping and littering was an ongoing problem. A grass-roots movement began amongst local residents to create a nature reserve, taking advantage of the mature trees and valuable wildlife habitat already in existence, whilst also improving accessibility for the benefit of the public in general. The aim was to encourage local ownership of the project to reduce the level of anti-social behaviour and offer a pleasant location for walking and for use by children’s groups and others, thereby enabling a wider appreciation of the natural environment and improved wellbeing.
At first we worked with EHDC and the Headley Down Community Association, already an established charity, to apply for funding. We were awarded a grant by Radian to have a detailed development and management plan drawn up by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. This plan enabled us to secure a large grant from the SITA Landfill Trust to begin Phase 1 of the project. This work has been completed; a new main path suitable for wheelchairs and baby buggies has been installed, new fencing and native hedging planted and certain areas cleared.
When the Headley Down Community Association ceased to function our group decided to become officially constituted as a charity in our own right. The Headley Down Nature Reserve Trust (HDNRT) became a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation towards the end of 2016. A lease agreement was set up between EHDC and the trustees of the HDNRT so that we could take over the further development and management of the nature reserve. Various projects are now being prepared for the further improvement of the site for people and wildlife, including the provision of a seating area with illustrated information boards, the installation of nesting and bat boxes and the transformation of key areas of rough scrub land into wild flower and native species grassland. In 2018 we aim to create a children’s learning area, carry on planting native species and opening up more informal paths. The continuation of the main path to join up with Maple Way has had to be postponed until the District Council has finished treating the Japanese Knotweed, but we’ll eventually get there!
Angela Jackson
Chair, Headley Down Nature Reserve Trust
