Natural England are erecting a science hub at the Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve (LDVNNR) in Wheldrake.
The single-storey building with rooftop viewing space on the 0.4ha site at Bank Island, Church Lane has been supported by Wheldrake Parish Council, along with 19 letters of support from locals, planning documents said.
Once completed, it is proposed that the building will “deliver improvements to the wider LDVNNR for research, education, enabling additional observation and scientific research of key species and habitats, together with a primary function to expand upon the existing building.”
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A Natural England spokesperson said: “The science hub will allow us to use first class research to aid sustainable and resilient management of the Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve.
“We’ve outgrown the present building with the number of volunteers, researchers, students and corporate groups we host.
“The new building will really help the growth of nature recovery in the wider landscape.”
Wheldrake Ings.
A colour ringed Godwit in the flock this morning at Swantail and close up of one of 28 Pink-footed geese on the ings that all dropped in for a drink, adult bird showing its markings.@LDV_NNR @YorkBirding pic.twitter.com/9bBCdZ7MMT— Stuart Rapson (@RapsonStuart) March 27, 2025
As reported in The Press, the site is vitally important as a breeding ground for birds.
The Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve is made up of a series of flood meadows, pastures and woodlands, and supports a rich diversity of plant species and outstanding populations of breeding and wintering birds.
In 2021, multiple extensions to the LDVNNR were announced, in a move which saw the area increase in size by around one-third.
