Roundbarrow Nature Reserve
Wiltshire Council has embarked on a new, exciting initiative at Roundbarrow Farm, Pitton.
In 2021, we were approached by the tenant at Roundbarrow who wished to return the farm to the council. An opportunity arose for us to create something unique. Our aspiration is to create an exemplar chalk grassland nature reserve that contributes to nature recovery, allows for extensive land management and the creation of an area which benefits the local communities.
It is proposed that the land will be restored to chalk grassland, lowland meadow with some areas of natural regeneration and woodland planting for ecological connectivity. This will help to maximise carbon, reverse biodiversity loss and help provide resilience for the species that thrive in these habitats. We have commenced the initial stages of its transition from an intensively farmed area into a future Local Nature Reserve.
The project meets the council's business plan objectives and has arisen because of the need to deliver sustainable development that does not impact on the environment. Roundbarrow Farm sits within the internationally protected River Test catchment area. This catchment area is recognised as being at risk from nutrient pollution (especially nitrogen) which can harm wildlife. Under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) development in these catchment areas must be nutrient neutral. Nutrient neutrality is a concept promoted by Natural England as'a means of ensuring that development does not add to existing nutrient burdens.'
We are proposing a long-term approach to both nutrient neutrality and mitigation of planned development in its authority area through nitrogen and biodiversity offsetting on Roundbarrow Nature Reserve. To achieve this, the farmland will be permanently removed from intensive agricultural use, but the land will be extensively grazed and managed by an organisation that can help meet our wider aspirations.
Within Roundbarrow Nature Reserve, we seek to enhance existing public access in the locality thereby contributing to the health and wellbeing of the local communities. At present there is no direct public access between the villages of Firsdown and Pitton. We wish to address this issue and intends to create a new public right of way between the villages. We hope to install this in 2023. An Engagement Event was held in May 2023 at Pitton Village Hall to discuss the project with the local community.
We will keep you updated on how the project progresses.