Bobbingworth nature reserve officially opened

Published on 20 July 2011

Bobbingworth Nature Reserve was officially opened by Chairman of Council Council Councillor Ken Angold-Stephens and Portfolio Holder for Environment Councillor John Knapman. The former gravel extraction and then landfill site has been totally transformed and is now an open space for everyone to enjoy.

Chairman of Council Councillor Ken Angold-Stephens said: “Many species of wildlife have already taken up residence here and the whole site looks fantastic. I was particularly impressed by the lengths gone to, to develop wildlife habitat for slow worms, beetles and reptiles, and the landscaping of the site including incorporating so many native tree and shrub species including a oak, ash and hornbeam, an emblematic species of our District. It will also be interesting to see if the disease resistant variety of elm survives in the long term too as we lost so many to disease some years ago I would urge everyone to come and see what has been achieved through the dedication and commitment of so many people.”

Portfolio Holder for Environment Councillor John Knapman said: “I am delighted that this site is now fully restored and open to the public. The site is hardly recognisable as the one where work started on this project back in 2007. It really is a wonderful resource for local people as well as those from further afield.”

Donald MacPhail, Regional Director of Veolia Environmental Services, the Council’s contractor for the restoration work said: “This is a key example of how a landfill can be transformed into a site of natural beauty. As a company we pride ourselves in encouraging biodiversity in unusual locations and this is another example of our work in practice”.

The Council’s contractor Veolia will be managing and maintaining the site for the next seven years. During this time, as well as ensuring the design is working, they will be working closely with officers from the engineering , drainage and water team and the Council’s Countrycare Service in trying to create a biodiversity resource with wetlands, a wildflower meadow, copses and hedgerows.

Over 5,000 native trees have been planted as part of the restoration scheme in order to offset the carbon footprint of the project; each tree is expected to absorb over 1 tonne of carbon dioxide over a 100-year lifetime.