A rare and valuable butterfly habitat in Middleton Park has been destroyed by poorly planned tree planting in what appears to be a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

The land, which is also the last historic field in the area, lies off Newhall Road near the Manor Farms. Although it is part of Middleton Park it appears that this land is not owned by Wades Charity and leased to the council as most of the park is, but is “vested in Housing”.

The tree planting is an initiative from the Housing Department who appear not to have consulted the council’s Parks and Countryside team and certainly didn’t consult the Friends of Middleton Park group.

Jim Jackson, a member of the Friends of Middleton Park was “deeply disappointed” to come across the tree planting on a recent walk. As a volunteer he had walked the whole park 6-8 times a year for three years with an entomologist to carry out a butterfly survey for the council. He explained:

“By far the most populous area in the whole park for butterflies, both quantity and variety, was along the woodland edge on the now destroyed meadow. The juxtaposition, and southern orientation, of the woodland edge and grassland providing an almost perfect habitat for many butterflies. That is now gone.”

The meadow is in a local nature reserve, and until relatively recently had been actively used as a hay meadow. It was considered an important habitat of that nature reserve as shown in an LCC leaflet produced about 15 years ago explaining its importance.

“The meadow also has an historic interest’ Jim continued, “as being one of the few old agricultural fields surviving in the area – that of course being a vital contributory factor to its habitat importance.”

A leaflet produced by the council 15 years ago

Ironically, the tree planting is part of a project to create an area of “priority grassland”. Unfortunately, the area identified will take many years to reach the quality of the meadow that has been destroyed.

South Leeds Life understands that Housing did undertake a consultation which included the Forestry Commission and White Rose Forest, but didn’t it seems manage to capture local knowledge of the site.

Jim concluded:

“While the country is indeed in great need of more woodland, it does not need it at the expense of destroying other valuable historic habitat.”

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said:

“The tree planting in Middleton Park is a part of the council’s commitment to create woodland as a way of addressing climate change.

“Working with strategic partners, the area of Middleton Park identified for tree planting was chosen as the most suitable site after consideration given to the quality of the grassland. The site also underwent a full environmental impact assessment prior to the work commencing.

“Fundamental to the project is a commitment to enhancing grassland around the areas of new woodland. Upon completion it is intended that the new woodland and restored grasslands will create a suitable habitat for native species alongside acting as a “stepping stone” of suitable habitat to reach adjacent woodlands corridors.

“Leeds City Council continues its long-standing commitment to butterfly conservation and will be creating new wild spaces at five sites, include Middleton Park, adding to those already developed at Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam.”

 

Main photo: newly planted trees on the historic meadow.  Credit: Jim Jackson

 

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