Edinburgh's Wester Craiglockhart Hill and Little France Park are to become Local Natures Reserves

Newly-approved plans to turn two of Edinburgh’s ‘precious green spaces’ have been welcomed by councillors.

Stunning - Wester Craiglockhart Hill

Edinburgh City Council’s culture and communities committee has rubber-stamped proposals to turn Wester Craiglockhart Hill and Little France Park into Local Natures Reserves (LNRs).

A council spokesperson said: “An LNR is an area of land declared by a local authority because of its special nature interest and/or educational value.

“It is hoped the status, which is already held by seven sites across the capital, will add more weight to funding bids and offer extra protection from future development.

Treasured green space: Little France Park

“The two sites, which cover over 55 hectares of land between them, are owned and run by the council and managed by the parks, greenspace and cemeteries service in partnership with Friends of Parks groups and other partner organisations.”

Fountrainbridge and Craiglockhart councillor Gavin Corbett, Green Party, welcomed the news: “Designating Wester Craiglockhart Hill as a LNR has been work in progress for three years and more so it is good to see it come to fruition at last, thanks to staff and the local Friends Group.

“Both of the Craiglockhart Hills are precious green spaces at any time but even more so over the last year where they have become hugely more popular for walking, nature-watching or just getting peace and quiet.

“Easter Craiglockhart Hill already has LNR status but this is more than the higher Wester Hill simply catching up.

“The two hills have a different feel, with the Wester Hill a wee bit wilder and quieter, and it is good to keep that contrast too. “

Labour’s Donald Wilson, convener of the culture committee and councillor for Sighthill and Gorgie, said: “Edinburgh is already a wonderfully green city and we want to ensure it remains that way for generations to come.

“There are many benefits that come with designating these parks as LNRs and there is no doubt that the ongoing pandemic has reinforced how vital access to greenspaces is to us all.

“The declaration of these as LNRs means that they are not just protected but they will be managed and improved with the conservation of nature as a priority.”

The SNP’s Amy McNeese-Mechan, vice convener of the culture committee and councillor for Leith Walk, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to designate these two new sites as local nature reserves.

“These are areas of natural beauty, rich in wildlife habitats and ecosystems, and it is important that we recognise these and look after them for everyone to enjoy.

“We will be working closely with a range of partners and enthusiastic friends groups to preserve these important areas for the benefit of our future generations.”

The selection and designation of LNRs is in accordance with the Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Plan, designed to protect and enhance the city’s green spaces which are now under increasing pressure due to growing numbers heading outdoors during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Scottish biodiversity duty section of the plan contains an action to ‘continue a programme of developing and designating local sites’.”

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