Thousands of new trees to create memorial woodland for Havant

Portsmouth Water and Havant Borough Council are working together to establish a new memorial woodland this year on land at the site for the proposed Havant Thicket Reservoir.

The scheme, which is part of the overall reservoir project, will see more than three
thousand trees planted by the summer, creating an enhanced green space just off
Swanmore Road in Warren Park, next to where the reservoir is set to be built.
The aim is to give local people a place to visit for quiet reflection, in particular, to
remember family, friends and others who have passed away.

At the same time, the additional trees will create a valuable new wildlife habitat,
providing connection between other areas of woodland nearby and further afield. This
means that birds and mammals, such as dormice and bats, will be able to move around
and feed more easily.

Creating a memorial woodland is the brainchild of Councillor Prad Bains, Havant
Borough’s Deputy Mayor. Councillor Bains said: “The planting of the memorial
woodland offers a peaceful place, accessible to all, that enhances local biodiversity
and wildlife. Importantly, we want the woodland to be a further way of commemorating
those who served in the two World Wars and other conflicts and we are developing a
plan around this. This includes an educational aspect, teaching young people about
our area’s connection to the armed forces and their service for our country. It’s a real
privilege to have seen this project literally grow and I can’t wait for everyone to be able
to enjoy this pocket of beauty in Havant”.

Tracey Viney, Environment & Biodiversity Specialist at Portsmouth Water, also
commented: “We are delighted to be working with Havant Borough Council to create
a really special place for people to enjoy for decades to come. As part of our Havant
Thicket Reservoir scheme, the new woodland will provide an improved space in which
to enjoy nature and take the time to think and remember loved ones and others. It will
also be a real boost for the local environment, with Natural England and Hampshire &
Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust both supportive of our plans.”

A mixture of different types of trees will be planted, including 100 that are already three
metres high, which will help the woodland to establish a good structure more quickly.
The trees will also be protected by deer fencing.

The Havant Thicket site is owned by Portsmouth Water and is currently mainly made
up of grazed grassland, with small areas of trees. It’s open to the public to walk in,
watch birds and explore, via a network of paths. The existing access paths will remain
open.

The company has included a proposal to build a reservoir on the site in its future plans
to increase the resilience of water supplies in the water-stressed South East and
provide new wetland wildlife habitats and community and leisure facilities. By planting
now, the woodland has time to become established and provide habitats long before
any steps are taken to progress the reservoir.

People can find out more about the reservoir plans and share their views at
portsmouthwater.co.uk/havant-thicket-reservoir and on a dedicated Facebook page
@HavantReservoir

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