Bid to save fields from development 'step closer'

Durham Wildlife Trust needed to raise £54,000 to unlock further funding to buy the land

A bid to try and save fields near a nature reserve from development has moved a step closer.

A week ago, Durham Wildlife Trust launched an appeal to raise £54,000 to buy land near its Rainton Meadows reserve in Houghton-le-Spring.

It had hoped to raise the money by October, but said it was "delighted" to have smashed the target and raised more than £65,700.

However, the trust said it would continue to fundraise in the hope of unlocking money from the Landfill Communities Fund.

The fields cost £540,000 and the charity said it needed to raise 10% to apply to the fund.

The wildlife trust said a housing development would be "detrimental" to the reserve, where more than 200 bird species had been recorded.

'Special place'

Trust director Jim Cokill said the owner of the fields was now willing to sell it to the charity to turn the area into wetland habitats.

"Our fundraising doesn't stop here," Mr Cokill said.

"By securing more donations we can accelerate our plans to create wetland and meadow habitats in the fields."

The work would improve the land for nature, increase the diversity and abundance of wildlife and reduce flooding of the access road, making the meadows more accessible, he added.

Mr Cokill thanked everyone who donated and for their continued support for a "special place".