Nature in the Cheshire region is under threat from local and national development projects. Housing targets are growing and planning laws are changing, meaning that unless our most precious sites are recognised by designations, such as Local Wildlife Sites, they could be at risk of being lost forever. 

There are around 1,100 Local Wildlife Sites across Cheshire, Warrington, Halton and Wirral.  The Trust know of at least another 800 wildlife-rich sites in the region that have no designation, known as potential Local Wildlife Sites. Around 100 of these are near to existing towns and villages, which, given the changes to planning policy, makes them particularly vulnerable to development. As lead member of the Cheshire Local Wildlife Site Partnership, Cheshire Wildlife Trust works alongside local authorities, RECORD and Natural England to select and survey potential Local Wildlife Sites, prioritising those most at risk.  

Local Wildlife Sites are locally important sites for the conservation of wildlife. They can come in all shapes and sizes, from vast open marshes and winding river valleys to ancient woodlands, small wildflower meadows and secluded ponds. They’re home to many of the UK’s native plant and animal species including rare, declining or protected species such as willow tits, great crested newts and water voles. 

Without protection, areas like Longridge, a Local Wildlife Site on the outskirts of Knutsford, risk being lost forever. A development project of 225 homes was granted permission – all because it wasn’t designated in time.  

The Trust urgently needs to raise £35,000 to start work on 10 potential Local Wildlife Sites this year. 

How your donations can help: 

• £25 could pay for the Trust to add species data to information they hold about a site.
• £50 could help identify a new potential Local Wildlife Site.
• £100 could help assess whether planning proposals may negatively impact a Local Wildlife Site.
• £300 could pay to respond to a planning consultation that affects a Local Wildlife Site.  

Laura Saker-George, Conservation Officer at Cheshire Wildlife Trust says: “Some of these wonderful sites may already be among your favourite local places. One of the big highlights for me is getting out to a new site for the first time. You don’t know what hidden gems you might find! Local Wildlife Site status cannot simply be ignored and makes most developers look elsewhere for land to build on.  

We were devastated by the decision about the development at Longridge. We urgently need to propose more new sites for designation, before they’re lost forever. I'm already busy surveying potential sites this summer, but we need help to do even more." 

To find out more about Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s work protecting Local Wildlife Sites and to donate to their appeal, please visit cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/appeals/local-wildlife-sites-appeal