Welcome to Somerset’s super-sized nature haven
A new “super” national nature reserve spanning the Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Hills has been created in Somerset to boost nature and protect the landscape.
The declaration of the Mendip National Nature Reserve by Natural England will conserve and help to restore 1,413 hectares of limestone slopes, traditional wildflower grasslands, ancient wooded combes, spectacular gorges and rocky outcrops.
It is bringing together 31 existing nature reserves in the area, of which only two previously had national nature reserve protected status, as well as 400 hectares of new land which was not previously managed primarily for conservation.
Rachel Williams, deputy director of the Wessex area for Natural England, said that planning authorities must now ensure anyone inside or bordering the national nature reserve land must
