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To convert an old landfill site into a paradise for wildflowers, birds, bats and reptiles. The site will link with four existing reserves, including the Clattinger Farm Special Area of Conservation and several Sites of Special Scientific Interest, provide high ground for grazing a conservation herd of rare breed cattle during flooding of the neighbouring wildflower meadows and also include a traditional orchard.
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Situation
The nationally rare hay meadows at Clattinger Farm, Lower Moor Farm and Oaksey Moor Meadow in the Cotswold Water Park are in excellent condition but under threat from Climate Change. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have acquired the neighbouring Sandpool Farm where there is scope for the wildflowers to grow on high ground not subject to flooding and space to graze the existing conservation herd during that flooding. There will also be opportunities to provide new habitats for a number of protected or rare species including: - Nightingales (found at neighbouring Swillbrook Lake and under threat from local development) - Bechstein's Bat (through the provision of a bat hibernacula in the landfilled site) - Otters (in the margins of the Flagham Brook that seperates Sandpool Farm from the lakes at Lower Moor Farm) - Great Crested Newts (in the remaining pools and wet woodland areas at Sandpool Farm) A circular walk will link Sandpool Farm with existing visitor facilities at Lower Moor Farm and visitors will be able to observe many lake and woodland birds including the opportunity to view a heronry at eye level.