Persimmon Homes have announced the extension of their housing development near Green Lane Wood nature reserve in Trowbridge. As part of the Section 106 contributions, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will receive income to undertake work in Green Lane Woods to help mitigate the impact that the new development will have on wildlife.
Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 ensures that financial contributions or other provisions are provided by developers to help mitigate the impact of new developments. These agreements ensure that alongside building necessary housing, infrastructure and community benefits are provided, as well as a Biodiversity Net Gain requirement (BNG). These include contributions to ensure that any impact of the development on the biodiversity of the site is offset by environmental protection and enhancement. At Green Lane Wood, the Section 106 money is being directly invested to deliver community engagement with the woodland complex.
The funding has been allocated to create a new Ecological Centre on the reserve. Crucially, this investment is not temporary: it will fund a full-time Warden, a part-time Education Officer, and the centre’s operational costs.
The new centre will enable us to have an on-site presence, supporting greater management and accessibility to the nature park for all residents.
We acknowledge that increased footfall requires extra management of the site. With the additional resource we will intensify our monitoring of the reserve's important wildlife, and the overall condition of the woodland. Our highest priority is protecting sensitive species like the Bechstein's bat. The presence of the dedicated Warden and the centre will be key to actively deterring disturbance, vandalism, and fires, safeguarding this locally rare species from any adverse effects of the new proximity to development.
This investment is a positive and permanent step toward better protecting and increasing enjoyment of Green Lane Woods.
Access to the site
Access for Castlemead remains as it is now. In the future, access from Ashton Park will be directed past the centre and into a new Nature Park Extension - an area featuring new circular footpaths and extensive tree and scrub planting, effectively increasing the size of the reserve and more land managed for nature.