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Conservation Volunteers September

A lot going on this month, as Mark Webster explains:

After a fire and brimstone summer, we are already moving into a sort-of autumn with leaves falling from the trees, the football is back already (did it ever go away?) and so here and now is your September activity programme, packed with useful things to do, but also the chance to discover much more about our threatened wildlife.  We always try to include a little bit of learning on our sessions (whether that’s how to use traditional tools, the history of the places we work at, or a bit about the animals we spot) but this month we will especially focus on the flora, as from 9th September our Wild Plant Wednesdays will include a look at the varied plantlife of the sites we are working at in a bit more detail.

As for the actual practical action, we will be doing several task days to help look after Mousehold Heath, where the remaining habitats there are even more precious after a devastating fire, and we will also be paying some extra attention to Smockmill Common, expanding the central meadow area by cutting back encroaching brambles etc.  There’s a welcome return to Alderford Common, a site packed with historic interest and nationally significant levels of biodiversity, plus everywhere from a small hidden, private woodland glade (Alpington) to some very popular and vital green spaces right in the centre of Norwich (Ketts Cave, Netherwood Green) all of which have lovely meadow areas amongst their important trees.

Please do encourage anyone who you think could benefit from getting out to join us whenever they can: wildlife needs all the help it can get right now, and we really appreciate anyone giving a few hours to help out.  Oh, and they will definitely* enjoy it too!

The full programme for September is here.

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Deadline approaching to respond to Bartram Mowers Development

The deadline to respond to the three storey care home block Planning Application for the Bartram Mowers site is 3rd September.

LNT Care Developments has submitted a Planning Application for the development of a large new three-storey 66 bed care home for older people with a new road, associated access, parking and landscaping.  The existing old Bartram Mowers building will be demolished, and the new block will be on roughly the same footprint, but will be taller.

You can find the application details online at Norwich Planning Department using application number 26/00652/F and selecting the Documents tab, then View associated documents. Anyone without access to the internet can obtain information about the development by ringing 01603 989342.

Existing Bartram Mowers Building adjacent to green landscaped open space Photo: Lisa Morgan

It is important that anyone with concerns about the Application should respond in writing before 8th September, (a later date than previously advertised). The Yare Valley Society response is here.

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Act now to respond to Colney Hall Planning Application

The site of the proposed developments forms part of the Yare Valley wildlife corridor and is immediately adjacent to the designated Yare Valley Strategic Green Infrastructure Corridor in Local Plans. It will impact on the Yare Valley (including Bowthorpe Southern Park) both visually and ecologically.

Responses should be in before the 24th of August to the South Norfolk District Council Planning  Department. The application number is 2026/1959.

Peaceful grazing on Bowthorpe Southern Park Photo: J Elbro

The Application consists of two parts, the first part is for full planning permission for 116 homes and communal buildings for anyone aged 55 or over, and the second part is for outline planning permission for an 80-bed specialist dementia care home.

YVS is particularly concerned that no Ecological Impact Assessment seems to have been made for this Application, and so a decision could be made in ignorance of the development’s potential damage to the wildlife corridor.

In making your response you may find it helpful to look at the submission of the Yare Valley Society which is here.

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Conservation Volunteers August 2026

The Conservation Volunteers offer opportunities to volunteer every weekday in various locations in Norfolk. From time to time they offer specialist training.

This month on Friday 7th August they will be in Bowthorpe Southern Park pulling up ragwort to help protect the animals that graze there.

All details of the programme and training are in Mark Webster’s letter.

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A Data Centre in the Valley?

An AI Data Centre is being proposed on the large triangle of land opposite Tesco near Harford Bridge. Data centres are already causing concern in other parts of the country because of their size, energy and water requirements, heat output, etc., etc, …..

The environmental impact of the Centre on the Yare Valley Green infrastructure Corridor could be huge!  

Respond now to the pre-planning application consultation which ends on July 12. You can find out more by attending an event at the Keswick Reading Rooms between 3pm and 7pm on July 7 when the plans can be discussed.  

Here is a link to what is being proposed: apex Norwich Data Centre . If the link does not work, try using another browser!

The clarity of the Apex site is less than adequate, and so do get along to the event on July 7 if you possibly can.

There are many questions to be asked, and some of the questions the YVS committee will be asking are in the latest Newsletter N128 July 2026.

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Conservation Volunteers July 2026

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.

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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).

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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.

Care Home would occupy roughly the position of existing building Photo: Lisa Morgan

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.
Screening trees are outside of development site. Will they be there in the future? Photo: Lisa Morgan

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!

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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.

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Conservation Volunteers June 2026

Another full progamme this month, with quite a lot of attention going to the Wensum River Valley. Mark Webster writes:

“…We are all about the flowers this month, protecting newly seeded wildflower areas by removing more aggressive weeds, controlling bracken to enable a much wider range of heathland plants to thrive, and (of course) visiting lots of beautiful riverside sites, many that the public don’t get to see, to remove the dreaded Himalayan Balsam from the Wensum catchment before it can affect the Broads.  We really do get to see some of the loveliest parts of Norfolk from the upper tributaries to almost the heart of Norwich.

So I hope you can send us more people soon, as we go Way Upstream into the Heart Of Darkness Hellesdon and beyond…”

Mark’s full letter, and the June programme is here.