Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve step closer as the Town and Manor of Hungerford submit final plans

The Town and Manor of Hungerford’s ambitious wetlands project is a step closer to fruition this week.

After three years of planning, more than 20 expert reports and an extensive public consultation, a planning application for the Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve has been submitted to West Berkshire Council.

The charity plans to restore an ancient water meadow on the northern edge of Hungerford, greatly increasing its biodiversity and opening it to the public as a wetland reserve.

The project, on land known as Undy’s Meadow, will fully reconnect the River Kennet to its historic floodplain, helping create new wetland habitats and mitigating flood risk further down the valley.

Wetlands are increasingly being recognised as incredibly important, not only for the variety of wildlife habitats they provide, but also for their role in flood mitigation and climate change.

The wetland reserve proposed for Hungerford is a large site, at approximately 40 acres with the potential to create a mosaic of habitats including wet woodland, reed beds, scrapes and lakes as well as damp grasslands.

The proposed development will also include a new access from Charnham Park Road and an Education and Information Centre.

Constable of the Town and Manor, Julie Lloyd, said: “This is one of the largest and most significant environmental developments in the Kennet Valley for many years.

“It will be open to the public during daylight hours and with no access charge, this will benefit not just the people of Hungerford, but also the many thousands of residents in the Kennet Valley and far beyond.”

The plans can be viewed in full, and commented on, by visiting the planning section of West Berkshire Council’s website and using the reference 24/00764/OUTMAJ.