Woodland and wildflower meadow to be planted in Woodley

A NEW woodland and wildflower meadow is to be planted in Woodley in the spring, as part of a new pilot scheme.

Wokingham Borough Council says the project, at Ashenbury Park, could benefit the whole borough, both environmentally and financially, and welcome wildlife by improving and enriching its natural habitats, a concept known as “biodiversity net gain” (BNG).

The aim is to boost the biodiversity of countryside parks, public open spaces and farmland, the council hopes to become a provider of so-called “BNG units” to developers.

The new rules, part of the Environment Act 2021, will require all new developments to provide a BNG of at least 10%. This is measured against Government standards and must be protected for at least 30 years.

Developers must assess their sites after completion and, if they find biodiversity has improved by less than 10%, they must provide additional BNG units off-site to make up for it. These can be bought from landowners and local authorities. They have to be monitored to ensure they meet the requirements.

Overall, Wokingham Borough Council says it intends to plant more than 1.7 hectares of native British trees, likely including oak, alder, birch, wild cherry, hawthorn and more, to extend the existing woodland at Ashenbury Park, off Waingels Lane, and link up the two adjacent local wildlife sites.

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They would offer significantly more natural habitats and provide valuable food sources to help countless species thrive, from insects like stag beetles, butterflies and caterpillars to birds and other animals like squirrels, badgers and deer.

Another 4.8 hectares of wildflower meadows are proposed between the new and existing woodlands, where the soil is not deep enough for tree planting.

These will comprise flowers like oxeye daisies, common knapweeds, lady’s bedstraws and bird foot trefoils to provide new nectar sources for insects.

The existing paths will be kept as mown paths.

Residents, especially frequent park users, and other interested parties can learn more about the proposals and designs and share their thoughts on the council’s Engage website.

Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We expect the biodiversity net gain scheme to offer a win-win for everyone – not only developers, but also residents, us as a council and the environment.

“This innovative scheme would help raise much-needed funds to create and enhance some of our green spaces, which will be maintained for at least 30 years. Our environment, including wildlife species, would therefore be improved and protected at no cost to us at all.

“We know how important our green spaces are to residents, and this scheme would help balance our need to protect and enhance the natural world around us with the demand for economic development that new development brings.

“The pilot at Ashenbury Park will help us test local demand for the biodiversity net gain scheme and give us hands-on experience in how to deliver it for the benefit of the borough, and more importantly our finances in this challenging time.”