Increasing concern for future of Surrey wetland reserve

With the future of Tice's Meadow, an important wetland nature reserve in Surrey, under threat, an e-petition has be launched, gaining some 1,700 signatures in the first few days.

There are genuine fears for the future of the Surrey nature reserve after it was put up for sale by owners Hanson. News of the sale has been described as a shock by the local bird group, with outside fears that the land could be purchased for housing development.

Tice's Meadow, a former quarry, has been converted into a dynamic nature reserve, with 1,115 species of wildlife recorded (Tony Hordern).

The wetland reserve, situated between Aldershot and Farnham, is a former quarry and owned by Hanson, a building materials company. The timing of the decision to sell has come as a surprise, with Tice's recently winning an international conservation award and current projects including a new hide and resurfaced path for visitors with impaired mobility.

In 2018, it won an International Quarry Life Award, the Waverley Borough Council Design Award and Hampshire County Council Volunteer Award.

More than 40 local politicians and wildlife groups have signed an open letter to Hanson asking for any deal to protect the future of the nature reserve and to continue its development. A petition to 'Save Tice's Meadow Nature Reserve' has about 1,100 signatures.

In response to the concerns, Paul Williams, head of land and mineral resources at Hanson, said: "We are proud of our achievements with the restoration of Tice's Meadow and we've always been clear that our plans would not involve retaining long-term ownership.

"Our conversations with interested parties are ongoing and we will of course update stakeholders and affect introductions once we are in a position to do so."

You can sign the petition here.