{"id":955500,"date":"2026-05-12T20:11:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T20:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/955500\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T20:11:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T20:11:21","slug":"edinburgh-council-could-introduce-new-nature-reserves-across-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/955500\/","title":{"rendered":"Edinburgh Council could introduce new nature reserves across city"},"content":{"rendered":"

The City of\u00a0Edinburgh Council<\/a>\u00a0is planning to introduce two new\u00a0nature\u00a0reserves, with a third which might be expanded.<\/p>\n

Under new plans, Wester\u00a0Craiglockhart Hill<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Little France<\/a>\u00a0would be designated as\u00a0Local Nature Reserves<\/a>, while the existing nature reserve at Easter Craiglockhart Hill would be greatly expanded.<\/p>\n

Local Nature Reserves are special conservation areas in Edinburgh to preserve protected flora and fauna, while offering opportunities for recreation and enjoyment. Many, but not all, are managed to help wildlife and geology.<\/p>\n

There are, however, concerns over the council\u2019s handling of the consultation process for the nature reserves, with the last public consultation for Wester Craiglockhart Hill closing in 2019, and Little France Park in 2020.<\/p>\n

\"Craiglockhart<\/a>Craiglockhart Hill, in Edinburgh\u2019s Southwest (C) Charlie Ellis<\/p>\n

Council officers, who have recommended that city councillors approve their plan to create the nature reserves say that each site has presented special opportunities for the study and research of British flora and fauna.<\/p>\n

Little France Park, the largest of the three sites, for example, has been described as a \u201cnaturalised site\u201d with locally rare and desirable habitats comprising reclaimed farmland, semi-improved grassland, newly planted woodland and specimen trees, wetland and open still water areas, a blue corridor, species rich grassland, and scrub.<\/p>\n

The park has a significant number of skylark, buzzard, kestrel, and yellowhammer birds reliant on the local ecosystem, while being particularly rich for locally rare butterflies and other invertebrates.<\/p>\n

Recent surveys on Wester Craiglockhart Hill identified the presence of national and locally important plant species, such as welted thistle and common rock rose, as well as protected species of bats and badgers.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>A map of the proposed Wester Craiglockhart Hill nature reserve (C) Edinburgh Council<\/p>\n

The hill is also believed to have significant education potential, being adjacent to Edinburgh Napier University and within walking distance of two high schools.<\/p>\n

All three sites are managed by Edinburgh Council\u2019s Parks and Openspace scheme, with smaller local \u201cFriends of\u201d groups handling the day-to-day management.<\/p>\n

In their report, due to be discussed by councillors at Thursday\u2019s meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee, council officers said:<\/p>\n

\u201cEach site provides special opportunities for study and research of British flora and fauna and the conditions in which they live, and for study of earth sciences of special interest in the area; and\/or preserves the special natural or earth science interest in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>The proposed Little France Park nature reserve (C) Edinburgh Council<\/p>\n

They added: \u201cStudy and research into, or preservation of, nature or the earth sciences should be a priority objective and not as an incidental land management consideration.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnvironmental education, conservation, surveying, promotion for research and species and habitat monitoring and the preservation of habitat all feature in the management objectives of Wester and Easter Craiglockhart Hill and Little France Park.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little France Park covers an area of 45 hectares, while Wester Craiglockhart Hill covers just more than 10 hectares.<\/p>\n

The Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve would be expanded from around 10.5 hectares to around 20 hectares.<\/p>\n

Christopher Cowdy, Conservative councillor for the Fountainbridge\/Craiglockhart ward, said that while, he \u201cbroadly supports\u201d the plans, question marks remain about the consultation process.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>A map of the Easter Craiglockhart Hill reserve expansion (C) Edinburgh Council<\/p>\n

Speaking today, he said: \u201cI am on the whole very supportive of the proposal to extend the Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve and create a new Wester Craiglockhart Hill Nature Reserve.<\/p>\n

\u201cFriends of Craiglockhart Hill is a very popular group who are committed to the sympathetic management of the Hill.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir Annual General meeting is always very well attended which reflects both their hard work and the high value the local community places on this great asset enjoyed not just by the local community but the wider city and visitors from further afield.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cI do, however, note that the consultation for these plans were closed back in 2018 and 2019 and I am not convinced much more recent engagement has been carried out.<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly the Craiglockhart Community Council was not made aware of the Report to Committee and I would have expected Council Officers to have at least informed them and the Friends of Easter Craiglockhart Hill in plenty of time to offer feedback.\u201d<\/p>\n

Councillors will decide upon the changes at Thursday\u2019s meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee.<\/p>\n