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Going back to nature
Little Marlow gravel pits lake is officially declared a nature reserve.
By Ben Funning
A LAKE formed by gravel extraction and thought to be a home to hundreds of birds at Spade Oak has become a nature reserve .
Spade Oak lake, in the Little Marlow gravel pits area, was formed when gravel extraction started at the site in 1966.
Quarry owners Lafarge Aggregates and Little Marlow Parish Council agreed to turn it into a nature reserve to mark the millennium.
It was officially opened on Friday by Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of
Buckinghamshire and chair- man of the Berkshire, Bucks and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust.
The lake has been developed for wildlife and community use. A bridge has been built over a stream, and a footpath and
benches have been built so members of the public can see wildlife.
Parish council chairman Clir Dallas Banfield said it took a few years for all legal arrangements to be put in place. He said-. "The idea was suggested some time ago from Richard Boas of Coldmoorholme Lane Residents Association. "We were talking about millennium projects and he suggested a nature reserve, and the parish council took it up from there.
"We approached Redland and floated the idea to them and the response was favourable.
"But it has taken quite a long time to sort out the legal side."
Lafarge Aggregates still owns the site but has designated the pathways as public
rights of way, and spent £5000 on facilities around the lake.
The parish council is responsible for the information and access.
Cllr Banfield said : "We are absolutely delighted. It is something we think
is safe-guarding the area for the future and we are really pleased."
Opening the bridge, Mr Aubrey-Fletcher said the community, the environment and
Lafarge would all benefit from the nature reserve. It can be accessed from
Coldmoorholme Lane, near the Spade Oak pub and from Little Marlow Village.
BUILDING BRIDGES: Vice Lord Lieutenant of Bucks Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, with representatives from Lafarge Aggregates and Little Marlow Parish Council, opens the bridge to the now nature reserve.
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