Nature reserve bid for ‘gateway’ to Shropshire Hills wins backing

A bid for a public woodland designed by Capability Brown to be granted nature reserve status has been backed by councillors.

Shropshire Council’s cabinet agreed at a meeting on Monday to delegate powers to Church Stretton Town Council to undergo the Local Nature Reserve (LNR) designation process for Rectory Wood and Field, nestled between the town and the Long Mynd.

The 25-acre site includes open meadow and woods laid out by the renowned landscape architect in the 18th century, and was described by the cabinet member for leisure as a “gateway” to the Shropshire Hills.

It is the sixth site in the county to be put forward for LNR designation in as many months, and the council says the move will recognise its value to locals, visitors and wildlife, as well as protecting and enhancing the area’s natural heritage.

Councillor Lezley Picton, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “The site gets its name from being formerly part of the grounds of the Old Rectory.

“It’s really interesting because the grounds were laid out in the late 18th century and have associations with Lancelot, or ‘Capability’ Brown as he is better known.

“The well-preserved remains of this landscape comprise woodland walks, a stream, an artificial pool and sites of buildings which include a pumping house, a summer house and an ice house.

“It provides important recreational open space. The site has full public access by foot and there is a good network of paths.

“It also forms an important gateway to the Long Mynd for both the local community and tourists, providing a variety of short walks and access to the hills beyond.”

Church Stretton Town Council agreed in November 2019 to pursue a local nature reserve (LNR) designation for the “treasured” green space which it has owned since 2015.

Shropshire Council has legal powers to designate LNRs, but as it does not own the site cabinet approval was required to hand the powers over to the town council.

Councillor Lee Chapman, portfolio holder for transformation, spoke in support of the proposal and paid tribute to the town council, National Trust and volunteers from the Rectory Wood and Field Interest Group for driving the application forward.

Councillor Chapman jointly represents the two-member division of Church Stretton and Craven Arms, which includes Rectory Wood and Field, and is also a Church Stretton town councillor.

He said: “This is a much-loved public open space for quiet recreation, immediately accessible from the centre of the town, and also providing access out onto the Long Mynd and the Shropshire Hills.

“I’m very happy to second this report and as a town councillor in Church Stretton at its next meeting I’ll be part of the decision to formally take those powers and use them to designate it.”

Cabinet unanimously agreed to delegate powers to the town council.