Improving biodiversity at Ashenbury Park, Woodley

Plans for new woodland and wildflower meadows at a treasured green space are moving forward under a trial scheme that could benefit the whole borough, both environmentally and financially.

Planting and seeding at Ashenbury Park in Woodley is set to start in early spring and continue throughout the year. This is part of a pilot initiative to make the site more welcoming to wildlife by improving and enriching its natural habitats, a concept known as “biodiversity net gain” (BNG).

The pilot was approved by the council’s decision-making executive in March last year and, if successful, could lead to further enhancements at other green spaces across Wokingham Borough.

At Ashenbury Park, we plan to plant more than 1.7 hectares of native British trees, likely including oak, alder, birch, wild cherry, hawthorn and more, to extend the existing woodland at the park and link up two adjacent local wildlife sites.

Another 4.8 hectares of wildflower meadows are proposed between the new and existing woodlands, where the soil is not deep enough for tree planting, to provide new nectar sources for insects.

The existing paths will be kept as mown paths, so residents can roam freely and enjoy nature without disturbing the wildlife. 

Take the survey to learn more about our proposals and share your thoughts.

The survey closes on 18 February 2024.