Woods which were once a tip in Manchester are declared city’s newest nature reserve

A former tip in South Manchester which was transformed into woods in the 1990s has been declared a local nature reserve, making it the ninth in the city.

Kenworthy Woods, which sits south of Chorlton Water Park, and is separated by the River Mersey, is set to be recognised by national and regional bodies. The move will help protect the ‘rich flora and fauna’ and wildlife habitat of the 36-hectare site and open up funding for long-term maintenance of the land. National conservation organisation Natural England has already confirmed its informal support for the declaration, according to a Manchester council report. The declaration was approved at a council meeting on 14 December.

Northenden councillor Sam Lynch said: “During the pandemic we saw how important our green spaces and woodlands are to our physical and mental health and the importance that they play in our residents’ lives. Kenworthy Woods is a beautiful nature spot and I strongly support its declaration as a nature reserve.

“This will make it easier to access funding and for its preservation and also promote the area so hopefully more people will enjoy it and benefit from what this local beauty spot has to offer.”

The declaration is part of the council’s commitment to put urban nature at the heart of its biodiversity plans to conserve, protect and enhance green spaces.

Described as a ‘key link’ within the Mersey Valley, Kenworthy Woods has a rich mix of fungi species, flora and fauna and is a suitable habitat for priority species identified in the new biodiversity strategy, including the Willow Tit. Its status as a local nature reserve will help to protect its natural features and wildlife habitats and opening up funding opportunities to improve the area.

Labour councillor Tracey Rawlins, executive member for environment and transport at Manchester council said: “Declaring Kenworthy Woods as a Local Nature Reserve is great news for nature conservation and recreation in this part of the city and is an example of our biodiversity plans in action.

“As caretakers of our local environment the work we do now to preserve, protect and enhance our green spaces and local environments is really important for future generations.

“We want to ensure that we work tirelessly to preserve the precious eco-systems that we already have in our woodlands like Kenworthy, and in our meadows, green spaces, rivers and canals to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the city.

“It is already a well-known and well-loved woodland along the River Mersey and is visited and enjoyed by many people locally but hopefully this designation status will bring it to the attention of even more people and that it will bring greater opportunities to enhance this wonderful woodland area for everyone to enjoy.”

There are eight other local nature reserves across Manchester – Chorlton Water Park, Blackley Forest, Clayton Vale, Chorlton Ees and Ivy Green, Highfield Country Park, Boggart Hole Clough, Wythenshawe Park, and Stenner Woods and Millgate Fields – as well as 37 sites of biological importance.