It’s Official! The Langdon Ridge SSSI (Special Site of Scientific Interest) was confirmed by Natural England on 21st March 2019 after a period of consultation. More details on the consultation can found in Natural England’s announcement and on the consultation page.
Natural England’s Interim Chief Executive, Marian Spain said
“I am delighted therefore that we have been able to extend the protection for this nationally important network of sites around Basildon which as well as being of huge value for wildlife is a much loved and much used open space for local people.”
The 345 hectares of newly protected land includes Essex Wildlife Trust’s Langdon Nature Reserve, Willow Park, Dunton Plotlands and Marks Hill Wood (owned by EWT but managed by Basildon Natural History Society) and Langdon Hills Country Park owned by Thurrock Council. These areas have been part of the Langdon Living Landscape project for a number of years but the SSSI designation will ensure stronger protection for this nationally significant array of grasslands, woodlands, rare plants and wildlife. Learn more about what SSSI status means here.
Great news! Congratulations to all those involved in making the case and those responsible for maintaining and protecting this area.
Brilliant news huge congratulations to all who have made this possible.