Decision details

To gain full approval from Council and to allow delegated authority to Senior Officer’s to fully execute the leases for the land adjacent to the current nature reserve allowing for an extension of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve following the completion of gravel extraction operations and agreed restoration works. 

To set out the current legal position as supplied by 3C Legal Shared Services and to provide Council the full confidence in which full approval for this scheme and delegated authority can be given to Senior Officers to proceed with this matter.

To gain approval for the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment and associated teams in principle to explore wider opportunities to develop existing and new sites across the Council’s parks and open spaces to support wildlife and conservation, health and wellbeing, physical activity and commercial sustainability opportunities.

The Cabinet

·  approved and gave delegated authority to fully execute the leases for the land adjacent to the current nature reserve allowing for an extension of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve following the completion of gravel extraction operations and agreed restoration works;

·  agreed and approved the feedback from 3C Legal Shared Services outlined in Section 10 which provided confidence and clarity to the Council in moving forward with the extension of leases;

·  supported the principle of officers engaging in efforts to acquire land and buildings in connection with the principle of exploring wider opportunities to not only develop existing sites across the Council’s parks and open spaces but also new sites and spaces to support wildlife and conservation, health and wellbeing, physical activity and commercial sustainability opportunities.

The legal advice confirms this process can proceed and the extension of leases can be executed.

Obtaining full approval from the Council to allow for this extension of leases will provide local residents enhanced opportunities to enjoy this area, be physically active, allow wider work to be undertaken on site to attract a greater number of visitors and it creates a safeguard on the conservation and ecology of this space under a dedicated management plan.

Allows Senior Officer’s the opportunity to develop a wider strategic approach to all parks and open spaces concentrating on improved accessibility and offering, health and wellbeing, commercial opportunities and financial sustainability.

The extension of leases not only allows an expansion of the site but with it the creation of a wider infrastructure of ecology and conservation which can be safeguarded for the duration of the leases by the Council team and the Friend’s Group.

The extension of leases allows greater accessibility for local residents in the surrounding villages and neighbourhoods.

Upon the execution of leases further negotiation will be sought with Thornhill and HOLCIM UK Ltd and the Council around other areas of land under their control which may be deemed beneficial for the Council to operate in line with ecology, conservation, the wider benefit of residents and further commercial opportunities.

N/A

There will be no additional financial budgetary impact on the Council, as Rangers are already managing the nature reserve under the existing management plan. The ongoing operational responsibilities for the expanded reserve will be absorbed within current staffing arrangements.

The Friends group is providing strong community support, including funding a full-time Countryside Ranger Apprentice and setting aside funds for projects within the reserve extension. This additional resource enhances capacity for habitat management, education, and visitor engagement.