On Monday, November 11, Telford and Wrekin Council officially designated two additional green spaces as Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), marking an important step in protecting local biodiversity.

Langley Fields in Dawley and Horsehay and Simpsons Pools in Horsehay have now joined the growing list of protected sites, bringing the borough’s total to 20 LNRs covering more than 617 hectares—an area roughly equivalent to 250 football pitches.

Langley Fields, a 13-hectare reserve, is a unique landscape shaped by the mounds of former industrial and mining activity. This varied environment of pools, woodland, and lowland heathland supports a wide range of wildlife, including protected species such as great crested newts, hedgehogs, and badgers. The site is also home to rare invertebrates and nationally significant butterfly species, including the green hairstreak and dingy skipper.

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Horsehay and Simpsons Pools, covering nearly 7 hectares across two locations, offer scenic waterside trails and natural habitats for various waterfowl, bats, and bird species. Horsehay Pool, a reservoir with nearby grassland and scattered trees, is a local favorite known as Horsehay Village Green. Nearby Simpsons Pool, a flooded former quarry surrounded by woodland, is also used by recreational groups, including Telford and Wrekin’s own Arthog Outreach program for outdoor activities.

These newly designated sites will provide protected habitats for priority species and enhance Telford and Wrekin’s commitment to preserving natural spaces for both wildlife and the community.