This summer, we invited local groups and organisations to register their interest in running a new recreational activity at our 100-hectare Arlington Reservoir site.
As well as a key source of drinking water, Arlington Reservoir is a Local Nature Reserve and designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, with more than 170 bird species, including overwintering wildfowl.
For these reasons, certain activities that could damage or disturb wildlife or the environment cannot be operated on the site. These include pursuits that involve lots of noise, the use of boats or vehicles powered by petrol or diesel or those that could otherwise damage or disturb the special features of the SSSI.
Restrictions
As the site is both a drinking water source and wildlife haven, certain pursuits are not allowed.
These include those that:
- Create lots of noise
- Use boats or vehicles powered by petrol or diesel
- Require permanent or temporary structures on the land
- Take place within clearly-marked conservation areas of the site
- Use watercraft on the reservoir between 1 November and 31 March
- Allow swimming on the reservoir
- Are otherwise likely to damage the special features of the SSSI.
What happens next?
The merits of the eight applications we received will now be reviewed. We will shortly be letting applicants know if their proposed activity is compatible with the sensitive environment at Arlington or not, before the final decision is made by a panel of judges later this year.