To celebrate World Wildlife Day (3 March) Telford & Wrekin Council has today announced the legal designation of two new Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), and the extension of one existing Reserve, securing long‑term protection for some of the Borough’s most important wild spaces.

The new LNRs at Priorslee Flash in Priorslee and Heath Hill & Pool Hill in Great Dawley, alongside the extension of the existing Madebrook site to include Holmer Lake, bring the Borough’s total to 22 Local Nature Reserves, together covering more than 670 hectares, equivalent to almost 940 Premier League football pitches.

Priorslee Flash is a 33‑hectare reserve shaped by former industrial activity, where pit mounds have evolved into a rich mosaic of woodland, scrub and grassland surrounding a large waterbody.

The site is home to a wealth of wildlife including protected bat species, a variety of waterfowl and woodland birds, hedgehogs and badgers, and a valuable invertebrate community that supports the wider food chain.

Visitors can explore the site via accessible tarmac paths and a boardwalk along the eastern edge of the water, and make use of fishing amenities, offering opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy nature on their doorstep.

Covering almost 15 hectares across two connected sites, the new Heath Hill and Pool Hill LNR offers a varied landscape of woodlands, early successional heathlands, scrub, young woodland and ponds.

These habitats support bats, birds, common reptiles such as grass snake and slow worm, amphibians including smooth newts, common frogs and toads, as well as badgers.

The site features a network of wilder walking routes that are less accessible than formal paths but ideal for those seeking a more immersive nature experience, linking Great Dawley with Horsehay and onward to Lawley.

The extension to the existing Stirchley Dingle and Madebrook Pools site gives statutory legal protection to an area already well cared for by the Friends of Holmer Lake and Madebrook group.

The expanded site encompasses a mix of woodland, grassland and scrub, centred on the Madebrook Pools and the Madebrook itself in the north, which flows into Holmer Lake reservoir.

The reserve supports bats, birds, common amphibians, and species of aquatic invertebrates, all using the connected habitats for shelter, foraging and movement across the wider landscape.

Walking routes throughout the site are accessible to a range of users and link directly into Telford Town Park via the Grange Pool.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, said: “Protecting space for nature is a key priority for the Council, and these new Local Nature Reserves will help strengthen the network of wild places that wildlife depends on across our Borough. By joining up habitats and creating more connected wildlife corridors, we’re giving species the room they need to move, feed and thrive.

“The legal designation of these new sites brings the total number of Local Nature Reserves in Telford and Wrekin to 22, with a further five sites proposed for future declaration. These are in addition to the more than 300 Green Guarantee sites across the Borough.

“These green spaces aren’t only vital for nature; they play a huge role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing too. Whether it’s taking a quiet walk, spending time with family outdoors, or volunteering in nature, these reserves offer meaningful ways for residents to connect with the natural world.

“Natural England recommends at least one hectare of local nature reserve per 1,000 residents, and here in Telford and Wrekin we’re proud to provide more than four times that amount. It shows our continued commitment to safeguarding the natural environment for wildlife and for our communities, now and for future generations.”

Richard Shaw, from the Friends of Holmer Lake and Madebrook Group, added: “We’re delighted to see Holmer Lake and the wider Madebrook area receive this extra level of protection. Local people have been caring for these spaces for years, and this designation recognises just how important they are for wildlife and for our community. From bats to amphibians to the incredible variety of aquatic life, these habitats are full of species that need safe places to thrive. We’re proud to play a part in looking after them for future generations.”