Stuart Anderson, South Shropshire’s Conservatives Parliamentary Candidate, is calling on residents to have their say on plans to enlarge a local nature reserve. Stiperstones National Nature Reserve in South Shropshire has been named as one of the potential locations for the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves (NNRs). To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, the series will see five major National Nature Reserves named every year for the next five years - 25 in total to leave a lasting legacy for people and nature.
The Stiperstones National Nature Reserve is on the route of the Shropshire Way, a 264km trail from Shrewsbury to Ludlow, and includes the major part of the Stiperstones ridge in south Shropshire, near to the Welsh border. It is made up of a wild landscape of uplands, lowlands, and woodland that attracts birds including red grouse, red kite, skylark, and snipe. Stiperstones is also home to insects ranging from the hairy wood ant to the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly. There is open and well-used public access to the reserve.
Stiperstones NNR is famous for its wild and atmospheric landscape with its nationally significant geology and magnificent rock formations. Stuart has urged people in Shropshire to take up Natural England’s invitation to share their views on ideas for the new landscape-scale NNR on the English/Welsh border. Residents, landowners, and anyone with an interest can attend a public drop-in session between 6pm and 9pm on Wednesday 7 February at the village hall in Snailbeach near Shrewsbury.
The proposal is to extend the existing Stiperstones National Nature Reserve, by joining up with landowners and partners to significantly increase the land declared as a National Nature Reserve by up to 5,000 hectares. The plans build on the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan, which sets out an aspiration to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it. As the focus moves on from an era of nature conservation to nature recovery, the Government plans to create more spaces for wildlife to thrive including bigger, better, and more connected spaces for nature – building on the 221 declared in the reign of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As Prince of Wales, His Majesty expressed a deep love and concern for England’s wildlife, natural and rural places, frequently reflecting on his joy of walking and its role in promoting a healthy mind and body.
Stuart Anderson said:“South Shropshire is one of our country’s most beautiful places. Access to the countryside can help to foster greater health, well-being, and social integration. At the same time, protecting the countryside is a key priority. I am urging Stiperstones residents to express their views, under these plans, for further support as part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves. With a geology of national significance, I would encourage with an interest to share their views on the plans at the public drop-in session organised by Natural England.”
