SKEGNESS is set to get a new nature reserve.
At East Lindsey District Council's executive board meeting, members agreed that 125 acres of land owned by the council should be earmarked for wildlife protection.
The area, which borders the coastline at Seacroft, has already been designated a site of special scientific interest lying just outside the existing Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve.
Kevin Wilson, site manager of the Gibraltar Point reserve, said: "We are very pleased East Lindsey District Council is taking this initiative to recognize the importance of an area of land it owns.
"This is an area which wasn't given full recognition before. There will not be major landscape changes now - far from it. We are just recognizing an area which was already there. "
The tapestry of dunes, pools and scrub are perfect for all kinds of wildlife - especially unusual bird migrants such as sandpipers, redstarts and warblers. The area will remain open to the public.
Skegness Mayor Councilor Andy Fletcher said: "This will help enhance the natural beauty of Skegness and hopefully encourage more visitors to Gibraltar Point. "
Mr Wilson added: "We are hoping, through this initiative, to provide more information for the public through display boards and leaflets to encourage people's understanding of the area. "
The decision to establish the land as a reserve is likely to spell the end for certain recreational activities which are believed to be ecologically-detrimental - for instance, quad-biking, motorcycling and illicit camping.
( Report from Skegness Standard 17.3.2004)
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