Three new nature reserves declared in Rushcliffe
Last updated: 16/10/2026
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) Cabinet have approved the creation of three new nature reserves.
A declaration for the sites at Meadow Park in East Leake, Springdale Wood in East Bridgford and The Green Line in West Bridgford was approved at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday June 23.
The decision was made in line with the Council’s Nature Conservation Strategy which aims to identify and designate new sites.
The three new local nature reserves, that are protected areas due to their special natural interest and educational value, join the eight existing sites across the borough, bringing the total in Rushcliffe to eleven.
Meadow Park in East Leake is one of the three newly declared sites and is made up 18 hectares given to RBC in 1995 as a permanent leisure facility for local residents.
The park, which the Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Records Centre (NBGRC) designated a Local Wildlife Site in 2024, is owned by RBC with its day-to-day management delivered by East Leake Parish Council and Friends of Meadow Park volunteers since 2009.
The second site, Springdale Wood in East Bridgford, is a 1.4 hectare location created by The Woodland Trust in November 1999, on former arable land as one of 200 ‘Woods on Your Doorstep’ across the UK.
East Bridgford Parish Council took a 999-year Lease of the wood that commenced in 2016 and its day-to-day management is provided by East Bridgford Wildlife and Biodiversity Community Interest Company.
Finally, the Green Line in West Bridgford is part of a former railway between Melton Road and Boundary Road and has been used as nature area and public open space since 1988.
It has nature conservation interest and is designated a Local Wildlife Site by the NGBRC and its day-to-day management is shared with the Green Line Conservation Group.
Natural England was consulted on the proposals to designate these sites for the benefit of the local community in terms of outdoor recreation and for wildlife and green infrastructure connectivity ahead of their approval.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “We are delighted to have increased our number of nature reserves within Rushcliffe, enhancing our biodiversity duty alongside it.
“These sites create even more havens for wildlife and build on the borough’s current greenery with even more investment and protection, allowing habitats in these locations to thrive further.
“We thank all the groups who assist with the running of these sites and look forward to working with them to hear how we can further work together for the benefit of all.”