Nature reserve gets green light

The creation of a huge nature reserve in Suffolk has been given the go-ahead after a National Lottery donation of more than £4million.

The project, spearheaded by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, will create a 1,000-acre wetland gateway to the Broads National Park. By purchasing 348 acres around Carlton Marshes, a new wilderness will be created to benefit plant life, wildlife, visitors and the local economy.

A wetland west of Lowestoft, including more than 150 acres of marsh, fen meadow and shallow pools, will provide habitat for wintering wildfowl and waders such as lapwing and redshank – both in decline in the UK. A new visitor centre will help to establish the reserve as a national wildlife destination.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust hopes the area will become a National Nature Reserve within five years. Samantha Herbert