Council will work with community to protect and enhance 62-acre site

The pastureland is just north of the village and contains meadows rich in flora and fauna. 

It was previously owned by the Kerrison Trust, a charity supporting young people, but recently put up for sale.

Mid Suffolk has just completed the site’s purchase - recognising the potential to enhance the land, increase its biodiversity value and improve flood resilience in the area.

Cllr Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this important site, which we know is valued by the local community.

“We recognise the site’s potential to deliver biodiversity net gain and improve flood resilience. 

“But there is a lot of work to do. We must now take the time to work with the community and develop a management plan for the site.”

This plan could include habitat improvements – such as enhancing wet grassland and grazing marshes, pond habitats, lowland meadows and pastures, and deciduous woodland.

There will be no change to public access arrangements while this plan is developed, with existing permissive paths being preserved.

Any future increased public access at the site, which was purchased for £475,000, would be balanced against both biodiversity aims and in consultation with local residents.

Further work will now take place, including an ecology report and public consultation.

Improving biodiversity and nature recovery is one of the actions set out in the council’s Mid Suffolk Plan - its commitment to make the district thrive economically, culturally, socially and environmentally.