Future of popular nature reserve in doubt as council debates take over

The reserve is a haven for wildlife Credit: ITV West Country

The future of a popular nature reserve in North Somerset is still in doubt after the local Wildlife Trust was forced to pull out of managing the site.

The local council, which has been trying to take over the running of Portbury Wharf, still hasn't made a plan for its future and is now managing the reserve on a temporary basis.

It was created alongside a housing development and each of the households pays an annual levy for its upkeep - at the moment it's about a pound a week per house.

Avon Wildlife Trust has been paid each year out of this fund to maintain the reserve but not any more. This month they've pulled out, saying they've been forced to by the actions of NorthSomerset Council.

The council agrees any decision about its future management is particularly important Credit: ITV West Country

The council is having a report put together to decide whether it should take over the nature reserve.

The chairman of the board which manages the levy charge, Nigel Ashton, has already written to all the residents saying he wants to scrap the system and pay for maintenance using council taxpayers money.

Nine months have now passed since that letter was sent out and no report has yet been published.

Council contractors will now be managing the site on a temporary basis until a decision is made.

The nature reserve is important to local residents and wildlife Credit: ITV West Country