Farmland which was once destined to be built over with new housing is taking shape as a nature reserve on the edge of Penrith.
Sitting in between Beacon Edge and the Carleton Meadows housing estate, are three-and-a-half fields which have been gifted to Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Penrith resident Simon Whalley, the trust’s head of community development, gave an update about plans for the 30-acre Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve at an annual town meeting on Monday.
The land formed part of Cold Springs Farm, the family holding of the late Brian Clark.
After Brian’s death in 2004, part of the farm was sold for housing development, but, his wife, Ann, who had a stake in the farm, negotiated to retain some of the land to give to Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Before her death in late 2021, she said: “I am entrusting this land to Cumbria Wildlife Trust and have complete confidence that they will use it effectively, for nature and people.”
Simon said: “It is very generous. They have changed the lives of a lot of people who live in Penrith for the future, for sure.”
As part of the early stages of planning the community nature reserve, a steering group has been set up with local residents.
A number of volunteers came forward following a consultation event held at Penrith’s Beaconside Primary School, which was attended by about 100 people.
“People are delighted that the land, which is not now going to be built on, is going to be protected as a community nature reserve. The wildlife trust is for life. It has been around for 60 years. As a charity we can’t give it away or do anything with it apart from for wildlife,” said Simon.
Low level trees including native species like hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and elder have already been planted on site.
“In conservative terms, we want it to be pasture rich. We are going to plant lots of plug plants in September and we will be wanting volunteers to help with that.
“The site will also feature a mix of wood pasture with rich local species,” said Simon. The plan is to put in a path along the top of the site, running parallel with Beacon Edge, which will form a circular route with the already established footpath at the bottom which is closed off at present until November while building work is being undertaken by Persimmon Homes.
It is hoped that the nature reserve will prove popular with local residents, as well as wildlife, with interpretation boards being dotted around.
Nature-wise, there are plans for lots of berries to be grown which will attract many types of birds, from redwings and thrushes to smaller species like goldfinches.
“All the flowers that go in will be attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies. The idea is to also put in some extra benches for people to sit on and take it all in,” said Simon, who added that as it gets wilder and wilder, a path may be added across the reserve.
Over the next two to three years, it is hoped people will enjoy watching the site transform from farmland to species-rich pasture.
A pond is also to be added by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, along with a community orchard and sensory garden area, in addition to a small barn to be used for storage.
“I think it’s fantastic for Penrith. In the town there is not a lot of green space, but you can just walk here,” added Simon.
