Campaigners march in call for urban wetland

Dozens of people marched through the city centre as part of the demonstration

Dozens of people have marched through Hereford to call for an urban wetland in the city centre

The march was part of a wider "day of action" organised by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust calling for the restoration of rivers and streams

Jamie Audsley, CEO of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, said supporters wanted a nature reserve to revitalise Hereford as a "river city".

People marched with banners from the bull statue in High Town to the old Essex Arms sports ground, which the trust hopes to transform into a wetland nature reserve.

Jamie Audsley, CEO of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust

The three-acre site is owned by Herefordshire Council.

Campaigners said they had been calling for a wetland here for the past six years, and that it was in the previous administration’s local plan.

“We would see warblers, we would see buntings, we would see kingfishers, we would see wonderful ducks, geese – all the things that we might commonly see on our rivers and our streams, our brooks – that are really vital at the heart of our city,” said Mr Audsley.

It is understood the project could cost millions of pounds.

Christine Price, CEO of Healthwatch Herefordshire, feels it is worth the investment.

“This can can really help people’s wellbeing by connecting with nature, getting out from your day-to-day, perhaps connecting with other friends and family and other people enjoying this space,” she said.

Not everyone is keen on the idea, however, as one man who has been living at this site told the BBC through an online translator.

“If I have to, I will leave, but it’s a pity because I’ve put a lot of work into this site,” he said.

Campaigners hope there will be a plan for delivery of the wetland by the middle of next year.