The new permissive bridleway will provide a link between the two villages and will offer recreation opportunities for walkers, horse riders and pedal cyclists across the rolling countryside in Wiltshire, along the boundary of the now RSPB Roundbarrow nature reserve.
The 120 hectares of farmland is owned by Wiltshire Council and has been let to the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) as a collaborative 15-year project to restore and create permanent chalk grassland on what was once an intensive dairy farm.
The change of use provided an opportunity to seek local opinions on enhancement initiatives. Ideas at an engagement event in 2023 included off-road access and a community orchard, which has recently been planted in Pitton. The new bridleway will offer views across the landscape.
The enhancement of this greenspace provides benefits to the community, wildlife and a host of species locally, with ambitions for ground-nesting birds such as the rare Stone Curlew and Lapwing to thrive. The recovering landscape will require seclusion, with no routine public access onto RSPB Roundbarrow nature reserve, but the 5m-wide bridleway will afford views over the positively changing landscape. The new off-road access through the countryside provides opportunities to connect with nature, which can contribute to the physical and mental health and wellbeing of local communities.
The restoration of the site forms part of a package of strategic mitigation measures that will allow housing developers in other locations to fulfil their obligations to reduce impacts on the sewerage systems and water quality within the River Test catchment. This will help to benefit internationally protected habitats in the Solent estuary, which need additional protection from nutrient (particularly nitrogen) pollution.
Patrick Cashman, RSPB Site Manager for the Wiltshire nature reserves, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wiltshire Council’s innovative pooling of regulatory requirements to achieve something meaningful at scale for wildlife at RSPB Roundbarrow nature reserve. This is a rare opportunity to create a new downland nature reserve from scratch. Users of the new permissive bridleway will be able to witness the changing view over the coming years from species-poor grasslands and crops towards a more colourful vista as a haven for the characteristic birds, bees, butterflies, and blooms of the Wiltshire Chalk develops.”
The new 2km bridleway will link directly to the existing Roman Road known as Monarch’s Way, south of Firsdown. It will pass by the archaeological site known as ‘Piccadilly Clump’ along the western boundary of RSPB Roundbarrow, changing direction and skirting along the northern edge of the woodland traveling east to Pitton. It is bordered by stock-proof fencing with new gates installed near Firsdown and Pitton.
More information about RSPB Roundbarrow Nature Reserve can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/8252/Roundbarrow-Nature-Reserve.
