Update on new nature reserve for Bradford expected next month
Bradford Council is working with Natural England on the plans
A DECISION on whether a new nature reserve will be created in Bradford will be made next month – Councillors have been told.
In late 2023, Natural England announced that it was working with Bradford Council to designate part of the District as West Yorkshire’s first National Nature Reserve.
And at a meeting on Tuesday a Council committee was given an update on when an announcement might be made.
A report to members of the Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee said: “Various Council services have worked closely with Natural England on this proposal which will celebrate and enhance, through nature recovery opportunities, some of our most valuable natural/semi-natural assets.”
At the meeting Danny Jackson, Countryside and Rights of Way Manager, was asked when an announcement might be made.
He said: “We’ve been talking with Natural England and developing some sites. They are taking that to the board on February 18, and a decision will be made soon after that.
“The Council will then be told, and we will be making a formal announcement sometime after that.”
The report added: “In addition to the declaration of a National Nature Reserve, work has commenced on identifying other publicly owned sites that could be designated as Local Nature Reserves. This would bring nature closer to our urban communities as many of the proposed Local Nature Reserves are in urban or semiurban locations and so will give urban communities better access to nature, closer to where they live.”