What’s new?
21 January 2008
Wildlife Trust promotes a Wildspace for Ely
Landowners and managers are being encouraged to support the vision
The Wildlife Trust is proposing that an 'Ely Wildspace' is established to protect and enhance the major areas of natural greenspace in the open land on the edge of Ely. This would encompass the river and its associated flood meadows, Cresswells Park, Springhead Lane and Roswell Pits, Ely Common, the land within the Ely railway loop, Cuckoo Bridge and Queen Adelaide Pits.
Our vision is for the whole area to be managed in a co-ordinated manner that maximises the area of wildlife habitats and the variety of wildlife that these support, and provide opportunities for local people to visit the area to partake in quiet, informal recreation including walking, fishing and sailing. We would also like the land to be protected through appropriate designations.
The Trust wishes to work with landowners and managers to maximise the social and environmental value of the 'Ely Wildspace' area for the benefit of the people of Ely and the wildlife that lives here.
The best way this is likely to be achieved is through the zoning of areas within the 'Ely Wildspace' for different uses. Some areas would be primarily managed for their wildlife habitats with little or no access, while other areas could provide areas of open access for quiet recreation including dog walking and picnics. Other areas would be for recreational activities such as fishing or sailing, with motorised boating restricted to the main river. Linear and circular routes would link together each of the major areas, some following the existing rights of way network, with others new routes created and viewpoints established in prominent locations.
Over recent months the Wildlife Trust has been working hard to develop and promote a vision for the greater Roswell area on the edge of Ely. We have met with representatives from East Cambridgeshire District Council, the local campaign group aiming to protect rural Ely, landowners and government agencies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency, to discuss our views and how to make our vision a reality. Over the coming months we hope that all relevant organisations and landowners will join with us to help provide a very special place for wildlife and people on Ely’s doorstep.