Work has begun on an innovative nature initiative on the edge of Wellington.
The Trinity Nature Reserve will link Hilly Head to the west with Foxdown Hill to the east, extending the town’s Green Corridor.
The 27-hectare project also includes Eastcombe Fields, located near the A358 to the north-west of Bishops Lydeard.
It marks a major step forward for local nature recovery and long-term habitat protection, while also easing planning delays for much-needed homes and infrastructure across the region.
The project is part of a recently approved Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) scheme – agreed through a Section 106 agreement – which guarantees long-term management and protection of the two habitats.
It is being led by local landowners KS Coles in partnership with Greenshank Environmental, whose technical expertise has been central to designing a scheme which delivers both ecological and development benefits.
The intention is for the site to be designated as a Local Nature Reserve in future.
Kim Connor Streich, CCO of Greenshank Environmental, said: “This is a genuine long-term boost for Wellington.
“The Coles family have created something special here – space for wildlife, space for nature recovery and a real asset for the local area.
“What I love about this project is its legacy: these habitats will be protected for decades, giving future generations cleaner rivers, more wildlife and a stronger connection to the natural landscape around them.”
As well as restoring nature, the sites are helping to unblock stalled housing and infrastructure projects by tackling the issue of nutrient neutrality.
High levels of phosphorus in Somerset’s rivers have prevented many developments from progressing, as new projects must demonstrate they won’t make the problem worse.
Phosphorus pollution – caused by wastewater, agricultural run-off and historic land use – damages river health and fuels algal blooms that suffocate wildlife.
To address this, Greenshank worked with KS Coles to introduce an innovative drainage-ditch system, retention ponds and land-use changes which actively remove phosphorus from water before it reaches the wider catchment.
This is one of the first UK nutrient-mitigation schemes to use this approach, placing the project at the forefront of natural-capital innovation.
Because these measures improve the local river environment, other developers can now buy BNG units or nutrient-mitigation credits from the Wellington schemes to offset their own projects.
This is vital for unlocking housing sites which cannot proceed until they meet important environmental requirements.
Developers can invest directly in high-quality, locally delivered nature recovery, linking their projects to measurable improvements in Somerset’s natural environment
BNG units and nutrient mitigation are available now across the River Tone catchment and wider Somerset Local Planning Authority, all secured via S106 to ensure long-term transparency and stewardship.
More information: www.greenshank-environmental.com/schemes/somerset-bng
PHOTOS: Trinity Nature Reserve site in the south of Wellington.
BELOW: Watch a video about the scheme.
It sounds like a great idea. I haven’t managed to find a map of the area. Where exactly is it? A map of the location would be very helpful Thank you