Former council tip to open up as local nature reserve

Around 350 plant and 25 butterfly species have been recorded at the site in Sun Lane, as well as dragonflies, damselflies and a range of birds, amphibians and small mammals. It is a predominantly flower-rich grassland with peripheral trees, scrub and a small watercourse.

Bradford Council, in consultation with Natural England, designated the site a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) earlier this year.

Sun Lane is a former council tip that was reclaimed in the 1970s. It became apparent that pollution from the landfill was leaching into adjacent watercourses and in 1993 Bradford Council undertook a £1m scheme to restore the site and cap the landfill. It also installed a reed-bed purification system that adds to the reserve’s biodiversity.

The site suffered from lack of management until 2003 when the Burley Village Wildlife Group, in partnership with the council, began conservation work to enhance its biodiversity. The group has been vital in preparing the site for the LNR designation and it delivers ongoing conservation work there twice a month.

Coun Ghazanfer Khaliq, the council’s executive member for environment, said: “We are delighted that Sun Lane has been designated a Local Nature Reserve. This status reflects the importance of such areas to both nature and people, and I hope that the local community will continue to enjoy this well loved site.”

Giving a site LNR status gives it more protection. They are places that have special local interest, with opportunities to study or learn about nature.