Northmoor Trust appointed as wildlife partner for Radley Lakes

Six months after the future of Radley Lakes was secured (following a 41-month battle by local campaigners), the Northmoor Trust has been appointed by landowner RWE npower as its partner in turning Thrupp Lake into a wildlife haven.

The lake was under threat of destruction for a long time as a dumping ground for ash from Didcot Power Station but will now have a future as a lake, wildlife habitat and green space with contracts achieved last year to supply ash for road works and to Waste Recycling Group’s Sutton Courtenay landfill site meaning there are now sufficient outlets to utilise almost all the ash that will be created during the final years of the power station’s life without using Thrupp Lake.

The Northmoor Trust was chosen from a number of organisations who were asked to put forward proposals for the area. A committee including representatives from Didcot Power Station, Radley Parish Council and npower’s ecological consultants, Bioscan, made the decision.

Didcot Power Station manager, John Rainford, said: “It is important to get the balance right between the needs of wildlife and providing access to the area for local people. This is a significant step forward as we now have wildlife experts on board who can draw up detailed plans that can be put in front of local people for their views.”

The Northmoor Trust has been asked to draw up a detailed proposal for the area by the autumn with the intention of the plans being implemented early in 2010.

Harry Barton, Chief Executive of the Northmoor Trust, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the Northmoor Trust will be getting involved with this fantastic site. Radley Lakes is already a wonderful place for people and wildlife, and I believe there is potential to turn it into a really outstanding wetland centre. I am hugely impressed by the work npower and the local community have put into securing its future, and all of us at the Trust are looking forward to working with them.”

Later this month, npower will start some preparation work on site. A three foot wooden post and rail fence to mark the boundary of the land will be put up, as agreed with Radley Parish Council, but will not affect public access on to the land through existing routes.

At the same time, the fence erected to prevent newts returning to the lake will be taken down so that newts can once again populate the area around the water’s edge. The fence had been put up to protect the newts as part of preparations for filling the lake with ash.

Jenny Standen, Chaiman of Radley Parish Council, said: "Radley Parish Council welcomes the proposed partnership with the Northmoor Trust and looks forward to working with them through the Parish Council’s representative on the management team for Radley Lakes.

“The Council is satisfied that there is a requirement for some appropriate fencing to delineate the boundary of the site. We have discussed the nature and route of the fencing with npower and are agreeable, provided that any fencing should be as unobtrusive as possible and not interfere with the natural beauty of the area or people’s ability to walk there.

"Radley Parish Council is delighted that this attractive and ecologically valuable area will be preserved for the wildlife and the community.”