Dear <<First Name>>,
Radley Lakes masterplan
There has been quite a lot happening in the background in recent months, to do with longer-term planning for the Radley Lakes area. Most significant is the progress on producing a ‘masterplan’ for turning Radley Lakes into an 'area for nature conservation and quiet recreation’. This ambition was included in the Radley Parish Council’s Neighbourhood Plan, formally adopted in October 2018.
Following that, the Parish Council commissioned a consultant, Cranley Environmental Ltd, to produce a ‘masterplan report’. This sets out a vision for the future of the area, together with detailed proposals for access, natural habitats and implementation. In parallel with the work on the report, Richard Dudding (for Radley Parish Council) and Roger Thomas (Chairman of Friends of Radley Lakes) had a series of meeting with landowners, councils and others, including groups such as Abingdon Naturalists, to talk about the future of the area.
There was to have been public consultation on the masterplan report in June, but this has obviously not been possible. We now hope to hold some consultation events in September, but that will depend on the situation at the time. In the meantime, you see the masterplan report here.
The long-term goal, of managing Radley Lakes for wildlife and quiet recreation, is an exciting prospect. It will bring major benefits for local people, but delivery will be gradual, working with landowners and other stakeholders. Those who were involved in the ‘Save Radley Lakes’ campaign of 2005 – 2008 can be quietly proud of what was achieved then, as the impetus for the masterplan has its roots in the success of campaign.
Roger Thomas
Chairman Friends of Radley Lakes
News from Thrupp Lake
Unfortunately since the end of March most of Earth Trusts volunteering activities have been suspended, following government lockdown and social distancing guidelines. However some of our volunteer wardens and locals have been able to help out with litter picking over the last few weeks. With unusually high levels of litter during the sunny days as lockdown has been easing, and it’s made a huge difference. We’re working with various organisations to try and help the situation, but in the meantime the support of our volunteer wardens and locals is hugely appreciated – thank you!
Also our ornithologist volunteer carried out our spring/summer bird/bat box survey as part of his regular exercise (as permitted by government Covid-19 guidelines) and found 7 blue tit and 2 great tit nests, with 3 long-eared bats, and another bat (probably pipistrelle) also present in the boxes. On Thrupp Lake this bird breeding season so far, he also spotted a pair of Oystercatcher with a recently fledged juvenile on one of the islands, a pair of Mediterranean gulls nesting again on one of the islands, along with an impressive 137 Black-headed gull nests! and a Cetti's warbler singing around the former Sandles house. Otters have been spotted occasionally on the lake the last couple of months, which may explain why we haven’t seen the Swans nesting this year (we think it's the first time a pair of swans have been present but didn't nest; they've even partially put up with a young swan from last year being present), and the particularly low numbers of coots on the lake.
Lucy Duerdoth
Senior Warden (Community Reserves), Earth Trust
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