Little Pen Wood now a local nature reserve
It is the 11th local nature reserve that has been created in the borough to help protect land for habitat restoration and biodiversity.
Little Pen Wood near Highclere has become Basingstoke and Deane’s newest local nature reserve.
It’s the eleventh area in the borough to get the status, recognising its ancient trees and wildlife.
The council hope's it'll help protect the land for habitat restoration and biodiversity.
Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency Cllr Chris Tomblin said: “Little Pen Wood is a cherished space for local people and wildlife and I am proud that we have been able to give it the protection it deserves."
The council is already taking steps to declare more sites, based on a priority list.