Public asked about Shipley nature reserve plan

The public are being asked for their views on how to develop the largest Derbyshire wildlife reserve outside the Peak District.

The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has bought 182 acres of land at Shipley, which will link the existing Mapperley Wood Nature Reserve to Shipley Wood.

It wants to expand woodland and ponds and introduce new farming methods.

The trust said it wanted to listen to any ideas nearby residents had for the area.

The county council sold the southern part of the former American Adventure theme park site to the trust for £489,000.

A spokesman said: "Although the land will be owned by the trust, we will welcome visitors as we do at our other nature reserves.

"In order to maintain and enhance the wildlife interest we will need to put various land management practices in place.

"The consultation will let people take a look at maps showing the land we are buying, hear about our plans and let us know their thoughts."

A meeting is to be held at West Hallam Methodist Church, West Hallam, on 22 March.