Many other opportunities to give nature a helping hand in the Valley, but more often further afield, are available through the Conservation Volunteers organised by Mark Webster. The July programme, and Mark’s letter of the month are here.
Give nature a helping hand by collecting ox eyed daisy seeds
All are welcome to join a Yare Valley Meadow Makers (YVMM) work party to collect ox-eye daisy seeds from Strawberry Field on Sunday 5th July from 2 to 3 pm. Meet at 2 pm at the main Strawberry Field gate ( on Bluebell Road) near to the McCarthy Stone Sheltered Housing development. YVMM will use the seeds in the autumn to boost its other meadow sites. Please let Matt Tomlinson of the YVMM know if you hope to come along (yarevalleymeadowmakers@gmail.com).
Bartram Mowers Development – Act now!
Respond now to the pre-planning application consultation of LNT Care Developments on their proposals for a 66 bed Care home on the former Bartram Mowers site, Bluebell Road, Eaton. This is a large structure that impacts on the Yare Valley Green Corridor. You have only until Thursday 11th June 2026 to respond.
The proposals are here, and the response form is here.
We feel the present proposals are woefully inadequate for a large structure that will be visible from many directions in the Valley Green Corridor:
Contrary to the claims made by LNT:
- The design seems very much to be from a standard pattern book, more suited to an inner urban area. There is little evidence of materials (or design) that are “in keeping with local styles” or with the local setting adjacent to the Yare Valley Green Space.
- The proposals “include new planting and landscaping throughout the site, alongside the retention of the majority of the existing trees”. Unfortunately, the development boundary (inside the red line) is very tightly drawn around the structure, and is far too restrictive for adequate “softening” landscape around the structure, and excludes almost all the existing mature trees. Is it really necessary to remove any mature trees within the site?
- LNT state that “the existing mature trees along the boundary of the site sit outside of our site area and will therefore not be removed as part of our proposals.” LNT may not remove them, but this is an admission that they have no control over the possible removal of the existing mature trees in the future. Such removal could have a devastating visual impact on the views from the surrounding area including the Strawberry Field. The proposals are unacceptable unless the site boundary can be drawn more widely to include the existing mature trees that would help to screen the structure.
In the propsals we can find no mention of measures to deliver a net biodiversity gain. Such measures are important for a development adjacent to the Yare Valley Green Corridor.
When completing the feedback form, if you are against the proposals in their present form, please avoid saying anything that might be construed as supporting the development e.g. avoid responding to question 2. Good luck!
AGM and Presentation on progressing the UEA Boardwalk
All who value the green space of the Yare Valley are welcome to come along to the Yare Valley Society AGM and presentation on progressing the UEA Boardwalk on Wednesday 17th June 2026 at 7.30pm at the Cringleford Sports Pavilion.
The AGM will be held first, and usually takes about 30 minutes. Papers for the AGM are here.
Last year at the AGM, Tom Everett, the UEA Landscape Manager gave a very well-received talk. This year he is joined by the UEA Boardwalk Team, Justine Mann and Orla Condra. Together they will be telling us how installing the Boardwalk might be expected to progress. They will welcome your ideas and suggestions to guide the project.
YVS partnered with the UEA in bids to finance the Boardwalk, and the committee appreciated working with the UEA team and for their exceptional effort in preparing and assembling the extensive documentation. See our post below on the 7th May.