Shropshire Wildlife Trust wants to build car park at nature reserve in south Shropshire
A wildlife trust is seeking permission to build a car park at a nature reserve in the Shropshire hills.
Shropshire Wildlife Trust has applied to Shropshire Council for approval to build the car park on land at Betchcott Hill, near Church Stretton.
The application explains that the trust bought the site in 2024 with plans to turn it into a nature reserve.
The proposal is for six parking spaces at the site, one of them for a minibus.
A letter from agents on behalf of the applicant states: "Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) purchased the wider area of land in September 2024.
"The intention is to establish the 50-hectare site as a nature reserve and also as a Biodiversity Net Gain Habitat Bank (SWT are in the process of formally registering the land bank with Defra).
"SWT will be restoring the poor condition modified grassland to upland dry acid grassland over time through extensive grazing, cut-and-collect and overseeding or hay strewing.
"SWT will manage the wet woodland and flush/fen habitat present to improve their condition.
"The aspiration is for the site to demonstrate nature recovery and to continue to provide habitat for a range of wildlife including breeding curlew in the long term."
The letter explains how current parking at the area is affecting the land, hence the need for dedicated spaces.
It stated: "At present there is no facility for the parking of vehicles on site. This is causing land to be degraded as vehicles park and turn on the land surrounding the access track. In the long term this informal car parking area is required to properly manage the site and provide for staff, workers and visitors."
It adds: "Because of its location it is anticipated that visitor numbers will generally be low, with visitors mostly coming to walk.
"This activity would generally be spread out so will not result in noticeable increased traffic etc.
"When SWT are carrying out site visits, site work (using volunteers and contractors) and monitoring there may be small groups visiting hence the five spaces and the minibus option.
"Those might occur once or twice a month generally plus concentrated short periods when works are occurring (e.g. tree planting or fencing etc)."
The letter says the proposal will have "minimal" impact on the surrounding landscape.
It states: "The car park is intended to be as minimal as possible with no hedge lines or other significant above-ground works. This means that the car park will have a minimal impact upon the wider landscape area."
A decision on the application will be taken at a later date.
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