Bigger reserve 'would protect species and climate'

Emma Johnson, of Natural England, encouraged people in the area to have their say on the proposals

A proposal for a much bigger national nature reserve in Shropshire would benefit wildlife, livestock and the environment, Natural England (NE) says.

Expansion of the Stiperstones reserve to 11 times its current size is planned and would take in land owned by Shropshire Council and Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

NE is holding a meeting later on to canvass the views of people living in the area on the plan, which would see the reserve expand from 2 sq miles (500 hectares) to 22 sq miles.

Emma Johnson, NE's regional deputy director, said the change would enable them to work in "a much bigger, better way".

The exact boundaries of the proposed expansion are still under discussion, but Ms Johnson told BBC Radio Shropshire: "You could manage the whole area as one... you could move the fencing and have livestock that roam the area.

"You could have all your volunteers, who we rely on so much, working across that whole area."

The existing Stiperstones National Nature Reserve would become 11 times as big under the proposals

The public meeting at Snailbeach village hall takes place from 18:00 to 21:00 GMT on Wednesday, as part of a consultation on the proposal.

Asked whether there were any downsides to the plan, Ms Johnson said: "Not that I can think of, but maybe some of the people who turn up this evening might think of some."

The Stiperstones will be one of the King's Series of national nature reserves, which was launched last year to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.