Nature Reserve, Ilchester

Award type: Full Award (Subject to post construction sign off)

Award date: 24 April 2024

Location: Ilchester, Somerset

Project type: Nature Reserve

Applicant: Patrick Young

BwN Assessor: Stride Treglown

Ilchester Nature Reserve is a proposed new nature reserve on land at Hainbury Farm on the northern boundary of Ilchester in Somerset. The proposed nature reserve forms part of a hybrid planning application that also involves the creation of 200 new dwellings with employment-led mixed use development and local facility land (to the south of the proposed nature reserve) - subject to a separate Building with Nature Design Award.

A key driver for the creation of the new nature reserve is to foster better connections to the land around Ilchester for the existing local community, as well as provide additional green infrastructure for the future residents and users of the proposed new housing and employment facilities.

The project is noteworthy in converting a substantial area of land with low ecological value, whilst retaining a majority of existing features, in order to create a mosaic of grassland, woodland and wetland habitats capable of supporting diverse species across 24 hectares. Public access will be encouraged through a network of surfaced paths, and some areas will be fenced to preclude public access, ensuring there will also be undisturbed space for wildlife.

Overall, the proposals present an approach which uses green infrastructure to deliver a considerable enhancement of biodiversity.