Plans for a new nature reserve on land to be vacated by the Ministry of Defence have reached the Minister in charge.
Winchester MP, Steve Brine, met with Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Jeremy Quin MP) to press the case for the ambitious proposal near Littleton.
Littleton and Harestock Parish Council is proposing a 25-hectare reserve in the northern section of the barracks at Flowerdown once the Army Training Regiment departs. It is in discussion with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to protect and enhance the biodiversity of the northern area of the site.
Mr Brine met with the Minister at his office in the MoD last week to seek support for the idea. To designate this area as a conservation area, any application to Natural England will require the support of the DIO which is the landowner.
He says; “We are, more than ever, focused on the climate emergency. As I said to the Minister, this proposal has widespread local support and in the month of our country hosting COP it would be a fitting thing to confirm for our local area. I am pleased to say it was very well received so we’re hopeful this meeting can force the issue and get the key players formally on-side.
Cllr George Sallis, Chairman of Littleton & Harestock Parish Council said; “I was pleased to see that Steve Brine has taken our campaign to the heart of the MOD and has received such a positive response of support from Jeremy Quinn MP. We now need the DIO and Winchester City Council to endorse the proposal for a new local nature reserve, placing the wellbeing of our community and the environment first.”
Pictured; Steve Brine MP showing Minister Jeremy Quin MP how the campaign featured on the front-page of a recent edition of the Hampshire Chronicle.
