Area prone to flooding could become nature reserve

Harrison's Holme would be built on land immediately to the south of the A158 in Horncastle

A new wetland nature reserve is being planned for a market town, according to Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

The conservation charity said it was working with East Mercia Rivers Trust to bring the new wetland habitat to life in Horncastle.

The reserve, Harrison's Holme, would be situated immediately to the south of the A158 on land bordered by the River Bain and River Waring. The area is prone to flooding in the winter.

Subject to a planning application being approved, which has not yet been submitted, the trust said most of the major work involving machinery would be completed over the winter months.

The project would be funded by the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Anglian Water Get River Positive, East Mercia Rivers Trust said.

Under the new proposals, the area would be re-landscaped to allow for more water storage and to create microhabitats for a range of species to thrive in.

The trust said the reserve would not be accessible except for management work, but there would be an elevated viewpoint with seating so visitors could enjoy the environment.

The planned work for the nature reserve includes:

• An area of bank regrading along the River Bain to make it easier for water to flow on to the adjacent floodplain (within the nature reserve site)

• Excavation of scrapes and ephemeral ponds at varying depths and positions

• Planting in different areas to increase biodiversity, improve bank stability and provide habitat

• Construction of shallow swales and earthen bunds

• Creation of hibernacula from on-site materials to provide overwintering and refuge habitat for amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates

The trust said there would be "large areas of bare earth" which would make the site look "somewhat desolate in the short-term".

"Nature will quickly take over, supplemented by some planting of appropriate native species," it added.

Volunteers will be sought for tasks including scrub removal, planting and hibernacula creation, with restrictions in place for health and safety reasons.

A drop-in session is being held at Banovallum House in Horncastle on 16 October from 15:00 to 19:00 BST for people to see the plans and speak to those involved in the project.

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