Little Pen Wood in Basingstoke, Hampshire, was officially named a local nature reserve on February 10, 2026, to provide stronger protection for its ancient trees and wildlife. This designation ensures the woodland is legally protected from building work while remaining open for the public to enjoy.
This woodland in the Highclere area is the 11th site in the borough to receive this status from the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. The move follows an 18-month process that included a public consultation in the spring of 2025 to help safeguard rare animals such as hazel dormice, barbastelle bats, and butterflies.
The new status officially recognises the value of the woods, which feature a stream, wet habitats, and many types of fungi. A new volunteer group called the Little Pen Wood Conservation Group will now work with council staff to look after the area for residents who use it for walking and cycling.
According to the council, this designation is part of a larger plan to restore local nature across the region. Officials are already looking to add land at Old Down in the southern part of the town to the list of protected reserves in the future.
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