A water firm and a powerful ally are splashing the cash in a £350,000 bid to improve a wildlife haven near Petersfield.

A host of improvements will take place at the Rotherlands Local Nature Reserve to benefit wildlife and visitors alike.

Native tree and shrub planting, pathway enhancements and a boardwalk restoration are among the proposals for the 7.6 hectare site between Penns Place and the A272.

Improvements at the reserve – which includes a stretch of the Rother which is home to otters, brown trout and kingfishers – are desperately needed due to a combination of riverbank erosion, invasive species and poor drainage.

The project will improve access, water quality and biodiversity with most of the funding coming from the National Grid’s Landscape Enhancement Initiative and a handout from Southern Water.

Rotherlands Petersfield SDNPA
Parts of the reserve are known to get boggy during wetter times. (SDNPA)

Work on the three-year project is due to begin in September with partners including the South Downs National Park Authority, Western Sussex Rivers Trust and landowners EHDC and Petersfield Town Council.

“We are delighted the project has been successfully funded,” said Chloe Clarke, Rother partnership co-ordinator at the WSRT which is delivering the scheme.

“We are looking forward to engaging with the community and working with a range of fantastic organisations to enhance this stretch of the river.”

Laura Sercombe, director of landscape and strategy at the SDNPA, claimed the move confirms their commitment to restoring the river to a national park standard.

Boardwalk Rotherlands Petersfield
Boardwalks at the beauty spot between Penns Place and the A272 at Sheet will also be repaired in the £350,000. (SNDPA)

She added: “It’s exciting to be announcing this project which will create long-term local and downstream benefits for wildlife and water quality, providing a beautiful natural habitat that can be valued and enjoyed by all who use it.”

A range of local organisations and partners will deliver the project with improvements also including the preservation of key river features for fish and the planting of trees and hedging to reduce the visual impact of pylons.

New interpretation boards, riverside viewing platforms and a dedicated ‘dog beach’ are also proposed along with the creation of a short circular walk and Rotherlands Volunteer Group to help with the site’s long-term maintenance.

Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC portfolio holder for regeneration and prosperity, said the project goes to the heart of the council’s commitment to conserving and enhancing the natural environment.

Kingfisher Rotherlands Petersfield
The Rother through the site is home to kingfishers and otters. (SDNPA)

He added: "The delivery of this project will support the conservation of biodiversity on our land and within a nature reserve that supports special river-based habitats and species."

And Jayde Taylor, climate projects officer at PTC, said Petersfield Town Council is delighted to be playing an active role in the Rotherlands Project, calling it an “exciting initiative” which is focused on “enriching the local landscape, increasing biodiversity, and expanding tree cover.”

She added: “This collaborative effort is delivering lasting improvements to natural habitats and enhancing the ecological health of the area.

“Importantly, the project aligns with PTC’s Management Plan for the Rotherlands, which sets out a long-term vision to conserve and enhance the site's natural habitats and biodiversity, while also promoting sustainable community engagement, education, and responsible public access.”