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It has been the intention of successive council administrations for North Somerset Council to take ownership of the site to ensure the land can be maintained and protected, as a nature reserve, for the benefit of local residents and the wider community. Today’s announcement of the completion of transfer of ownership to the council means that this important ecological site will continue to benefit wildlife and the local community in perpetuity.
Cllr Mike Solomon, the council’s executive member responsible for parks and open spaces said: “This is a really significant day for the reserve and everyone who values it. It has been a long and complicated process to reach this point, so it’s with great pleasure that we share this news today. My great thanks to everyone who has helped us reach this point and to the many people who give their time to support the conservation of the wildlife and ecology of the site.”
When the site was established as a nature reserve 15 years ago, residents living in the adjacent housing development were charged a levy by a management company to fund the management of the reserve. This levy has not been collected since the council took over the management of the site. Households liable to pay the levy have now been written to by the management company to let them know that no levy payments are due and that the transfer of ownership of the nature reserve removes their properties from any future liabilities for levy payments.
The 150 acre nature reserve was created to provide a haven for wildlife when housing development took place nearby. The council has managed the site with the valuable support of volunteer groups it has set up and the Friends of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve since 2015.
The reserve provides a green corridor between Portishead and Royal Portbury Dock and is also bordered by salt marsh along its coastal edge. It provides a safe haven for many species who will continue to be safeguarded and encouraged to flourish.
Visitors are welcome at the reserve which provides excellent opportunities to watch the wildlife and enjoy views across the Severn Estuary. It is free to visit and open all year round and everyone is asked to follow the countryside code when visiting the site.