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WICKEN FEN nature reserve is set to expand
by 10,000 acres in a visionary proposal designed to create a "green
lung".
The Fen, which was the first nature
reserve to be acquired by the National Trust, currently covers just 915
acres. One of the first steps towards the expansion is to buy the 168-acre
Burwell Fen Farm.
Adrian Colston, property manager at Wicken Fen, revealed the National
Trust has been talking to various landowners about purchasing plots of
land.
The first piece of land, the 115-acre Guinea Hall Farm, was purchased
in October last year.
Mr Colston said Burwell Fen Farm would be the most significant acquisition
to date.
East Cambridgeshire District Council was deciding today on providing a
grant of ?386,000 towards the scheme.
Council officers have recommended members on the Strategic Development
Committee express support and enthusiasm for what is described as a visionary
proposal. The decision to expand the Fen was originally taken last year
by the National Trust Properties, Finance and Executive committees.
The 100-year plan is designed to create a "green lung" for Cambridge,
protecting the north of the city from over-development.
Mr Colston said: "It might eventually take 100 years to complete
but we rather hope we'll make a difference in the next few years."
The aim is to create an extensive wetland habitat by converting arable
land to grazing pasture, reed beds and open water.
The National Trust would also look to increase rights of way through the
farmland and link into circular walks over the footbridge to Wicken Fen.
The Trust hopes this would lead to increased visitor numbers.
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The
Proposal
The National Trust is proposing to acquire up to 3700 ha. of farmland
to the south of Wicken Fen over the next 100 years thus extending
the wetland to provide new and exciting benefits for people and
wildlife.
The land is currently owned by around 120 individuals and acquisitions
can only proceed with their approval - the National Trust has no
powers of compulsory purchase.
Much of the project involves the acquisition of land but it is
also possible that agreements with existing local landowners, particularly
around the fringes of the area can be set up which will still enable
the aims and objectives of the project to be met. It is also envisaged
that an access / recreation corridor can be set up at the southern
end of the reserve to join the reserve to the centre of Cambridge
thus enabling the new area to become the 'green lung' for the city.
The area which is shown in Map 1 is divided into a number of hydrological
units by the Lodes and drainage ditches and therefore piecemeal
restoration of the landscape to various types of habitat can occur
without the need to own the entire area.
The whole of the proposed new reserve lies within the boundaries
of the Swaffham Internal Drainage Board. The wetlands of the area
would be restored by a combination of natural regeneration and the
raising of water levels via a reduction in drainage pumping and
the use of sluices.
It should also be noted that the raising of water levels in one
area can only occur if it does not have a detrimental impact on
adjacent land or dwellings.
In the first instance the National Trust is attempting to acquire
land within the vicinity of the existing reserve and restoring it
for the benefit of wildlife and people.
Unlike Wicken Fen today which is managed very intensively using
traditional techniques the aim for the restored land is to manage
it much more extensively using herds of grazing animals as well
as growing 'green crops' such as reeds and bio fuel.
In parallel with the habitat restoration aspects of the project
numerous new recreational features will be developed to allow local
people, the residents of Cambridge and visitors from further afield
to access and enjoy the area. Such features will include new footpaths,
cycle tracks, horse trails and boating opportunities as well as
more formal recreational facilities such as play grounds and potentially
even sporting areas. The exact type of facilities provided will
be developed following extensive consultation with local people
and organisations.
If this ambitious project is to proceed the National Trust will
have to work in partnership with many different and diverse organisations
and individuals. Development of partnerships forms the centre piece
of the approach to implementing these ideas. As a result a large
amount of time and effort is being devoted to establish these vital
links.
More information and details are available @ The
Official Wicken Fen Website
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Lottery cash aids Wicken Fen plans
WICKEN Fen nature reserve will be expanded thanks to
almost £1 million of Lottery funding, one of two major grants for
the region.
The Heritage Lottery Fund announced the £933,500 grant today or
the purchase of extra land and to improve access to the reserve.
The other substantial grant was awarded for restoration works to Devil's
Dyke, which runs from Reach to Woodditton, with £305,000 earmarked
for the upkeep of the mediaeval earthworks.
The new land at Wicken Fen will be transformed into wetlands and a buffer
zone to protect the National Trust reserve, one of the best surviving
examples of peat fen in Britain and is home to many species of wildlife.
Adrian Colston, Wicken Fen's property manager, said: "We had applied
for that much and are very pleased that we got the money. It will be used
to create new habitats for people, as well as animals." The extra
415 acres, to the south of the 900-acre site, were previously farmland.
Mr Colston said: "Until the 1940s, it was covered with reed beds
but it was turned to agriculture in the Dig for Victory campaign. It is
now heavily drained but we will put in sluices and it will gradually go
back to being
reed beds."
He hopes the area will attract the endangered bittern, now down to just
25 pairs in Britain, other birds and otters.
Cambridge
Evening News Thursday 20th September 2001
Mixed greeting for nature reserve's expansion plans
PLANS to expand Wicken Fen nature reserve by 10,000 acres
have received a mixed reception from the farming community.
In one of the first steps towards expansion, the National Trust property
has just secured nearly £1 million in funding from the Lottery Heritage
Fund to help buy the neighbouring 415-acre Burwell Fen Farm.
The first piece of land to be bought was the 115-acre Guinea Hall Farm
in October last year.
According to the National Farmers' Union (NFU), the expansion plans have
not been welcomed by everybody.
Rachel Juster, NFU policy adviser, said there was a degree of apprehension
in the area regarding just how many landowners would be affected by the
"10-year vision".
She said: "There will be different attitudes. "Some people may
be happy to get out and sell their land, while others may see it as a
threat.
"We just want to make sure there are no problems if farmers don't
want to sell their land." The proposed expansion would also lead
to increased water levels a situation not welcomed by the many arable
farmers in the area who would be forced to pump their land on a more frequent
basis.
"It's important that we share information and talk things through
at this stage," said Mrs Juster.
Adrian Colston, property manager for Wicken Fen, said it was crucial to
keep dialogue open between all the parties involved.
"The NFU has no problems with our specific purchase of Burwell Fen
Farm but it wants to be kept informed," he said.
Mr Colston will meet with a representative from the NFU during a meeting
of East Cambridgeshire District Council's Strategic Development committee
on Tuesday.
Councillors will discuss whether or not to give their support to the Wicken
Fen "vision" and whether or not to provide any financial assistance.
Cambridge
Evening News Friday 21st September 2001
Welcome
to the Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve Web Site
National Heritage Memorial Fund &
Heritage Lottery Fund Website:
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