Nature reserve to expand with new habitat bank

RSPB Otmoor is a large nature reserve in Oxfordshire

A nature reserve that is home to rare species of wading birds is set to grow in size.

RSPB Otmoor, in Oxfordshire, will be extended with the addition of a new 21-hectare site, which had previously been agricultural land.

Cherwell District Council said work had already begun on the site to transform it into a floodplain grazing marsh - with features known as scrapes and footdrains being installed.

The new space will become the district's second habitat bank - which are areas of land set aside and managed to help with nature recovery.

It will be managed by the RSPB, with wading bird species including lapwing, redshank, curlew and snipe among those being targeted.

Councillor Jean Conway, planning and development chief, said: "Otmoor is a real treasure when it comes to wetland habitats and sustaining populations of some of the UK's most beautiful wader species."

"With their unrivalled knowledge and years of experience at Otmoor, the RSPB are the perfect partner to help us bring forward this new habitat bank."

James Robinson, the RSPB's Chief Operating Officer, said it was "delighted" to be launching the new site among a "haven for wildlife in the heart of Oxfordshire".

"Our approach is rooted in ecological science and long-term stewardship," he explained.

"The habitats we create and enhance will be managed well beyond the 30-year requirement, delivering lasting benefits for wildlife, the local community, and the climate."

Features known as scrapes and footdrains will be installed at the new site

The new site, which will be reseeded using seeds from the Otmoor reserve, is the second habitat bank created in Cherwell, after Ells Farm near Bloxham.

Under government planning rules introduced last year, developers are now required to enhance biodiversity by at least 10% when building new homes or infrastructure.

Where this can't be achieved on development site's themselves, they can fund biodiversity elsewhere.

"By setting up dedicated sites like these, we can make sure that the benefits of that investment are felt in our local area," Conway explained.