A NATURE reserve may be created in Lady Bay.

The Hook, off Holme Road by the River Trent, has been identified as an area where wildlife can flourish.

It is already home to water voles, and if it becomes a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) it will be a protected green space.

Notts Wildlife Trust's community officer, Andy Lowe, said: "There is great potential to improve The Hook for wildlife and residents.

"It would give the site long-term protection from development and allow us to bring in by-laws to stop anti-social behaviour."

A five-year draft plan has been drawn up by Rushcliffe Borough Council and Notts Wildlife Trust.

The council's environmental sustainability officer, Paul Phillips, said The Hook had been proposed as a nature reserve during the council's review of open spaces.

He said: "If this is approved, work will take place to increase its nature conservation value."

The draft plan states: "The Hook has the potential to become an important wetland site used by migrant birds during the spring and autumn.

"It also has the potential to become a stronghold for water voles as it already holds a healthy population in less than optimum conditions.

"The Hook is very close to Lady Bay and West Bridgford and has the potential to attract large numbers of people from the local communities."

Green Party councillor and secretary of Lady Bay community association, Sue Mallender, said: "We can walk five minutes from our homes and be in the countryside – this makes Lady Bay a very pleasant place to live.

"Children need to be able to play in the natural environment – then they will learn to love nature and look after it.

"But decisions about the Hook must be made by local people as it is only with their support that this can be made to work."

Three other nature reserves have been proposed in Rushcliffe.

Two are at Sharphill Wood near Wilford Hill cemetery, and one is at Meadow Covert – a small woodland behind Edwalton Primary School.

To view the draft plan for The Hook visit http://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/natureconservation

tanya.holden@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk