A pub on the outskirts of Finchampstead has submitted plans that could see a vacant field transformed into a wildlife education garden.
Agents for the landowners of the Tally Ho pub are planning what are described as: “ecological enhancements and additional landscaping … building upon the existing ecology and landscaping of this area.
“The wildlife educational garden is intended to be used by customers of the public house as an area to explore and be educated on local wildlife, flora and fauna.
The site comprises part of the grounds of a public house, located on the edge of the villages of Finchampstead and Eversley.
The public house benefits from extensive grounds, some of which are used as pub gardens and customer parking areas.
Additionally, there are two large fields to the east, bounded by mature trees.
Planting is proposed to create a mixed orchard, a wildflower meadow and native shrub beds, including food producing native shrubs.
In addition to the new planting attracting birdlife and invertebrates, round log poles, bird and bat boxes and public ecological information boards are proposed to be installed, to both enhance the biodiversity and ecological value of these grounds and also to provide ecological information and education to customers and visitors to these grounds.
The plans noted: “The wildlife educational garden would provide an additional customer offer at this public house site, and customers would be offered the option of availing of picnic hampers and picnic blankets/folding chairs by the public house staff, to enhance their enjoyment and stay within the wildlife educational garden area.”
The parts of the grounds that have been proposed for the formation of a wildlife educational garden are unused and not accessible to the public.
“Their true ecological value is considered to be limited, with species diversity, in both flora and fauna, also limited.
“In effect, the area of land concerned simply comprises two large, grassed fields, bounded by mature trees.
It is considered that the ecological value of these grounds would be enhanced by the proposed works contained within this planning application.”
The statutory public consultation on the plans is open until June 24.
For more information and to comment, search planning application number 260703 on Wokingham borough council’s planning portal.
