After years of deliberation about the future of a vital green space, it has been announced its future is in safe hands, writes environmentalist Melanie Oxley.

Described as an important ‘green finger’ in the Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan, Merritts Meadows North offers a range of habitats beneficial to wildlife and is a haven for people visiting or walking through.

The four-acre site links town and country says the plan, and it is part of the Merritts Meadow mini- estate off Station Road.

Merritts Meadow Residents’ Association members provided the initial funding to buy the land, and has now leased it to the Merritts Meadow Conservation Trust.

Going forward, it will be cared for and tended by the trust, formed by residents Jane Brundle, Susan Hines and Philip Nuttall.

Jane said: “We asked the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to do a walkover survey of the site and put together a broad management plan.

“We were pleased to see this largely agreed with an earlier South Downs National Park commissioned plan, so we will carry out its recommendations.

“We aim to manage it primarily for nature, but also to make the site more welcoming for people.

“We are looking into defining the boundaries with hurdles and hedges, improving the access points and creating a more logical pathway through the meadow.”

The trust took on the meadow after protracted discussions between the residents, estate developer Beechcroft, and Petersfield Town Council, over protecting the land failed to reach agreement.

So the three decided to buy the freehold of the whole site and form a trust to look after the green space.

Jane added: “We had originally hoped to hand the North Meadow over to Petersfield Town Council, but our discussions were getting nowhere. The old railway embankment that divides the two meadows was considered by the council to be a liability.

“We ended up feeling the land would be better managed by ourselves.”

Merritts Meadow Conservation Trust is currently looking for further trustees and compiling a list of willing volunteers who can help on conservation days.

They will seek to work with partners in future such as South Downs National Park rangers and the local Wildlife Trust.

Although relatively small, the new nature reserve already has a range of valuable habitats.

These include dark woodland, scrub, areas of bramble, damp meadow and quite a large tussock-grass area.

The management plan sets out how volunteers will look after each habitat to maximise its potential for wildlife.

The site is already home to slow-worms and is visited by more than ten species of butterfly.

Members of the Petersfield Society (PfS) have also offered support for the venture.

Dr Andy Moffat, convenor of the society’s Green Infrastructure Group, said: “This is a really positive outcome following what were frustrating years for all concerned.

“Some members have offered to support the new trust with expertise in conservation management.”

If Petersfield residents would like to offer their help, email Jane Brundle at [email protected]