Otter and glow-worms are among protected wildlife

AN ACTION plan has been put in place to protect wildlife in Overton.

In what is believed to be the first of its kind in Hampshire, people in Overton have put together the plan to highlight and conserve the wide range of wildlife there is in the village.

Overton Biodiversity Society (OBS) has worked alongside Hampshire Wildlife Trust and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council over the last two years to draw up the 80-page document.

Among the parish’s highlights are glow-worms at the grounds of St Mary's Church, Britain's most endangered timber tree, the Black Poplar, in Polhampton and an otter in the Test River.

Chairman of OBS, Ken MacKenzie, said: "There is fantastic wildlife in Overton and we're very lucky to have it on our doorstep.

“This plan, which we believe is the first in Hampshire, will show people some of the great animal and plant life we have on offer here and how to look after it.

“As well as the more exciting things, such as traces of an otter being found at the Test River, we also have more practical things in the document such as a record of the parish’s hedgerows.

“This is very exciting and something which the people of Overton can be very proud of. We just hope the wildlife will be conserved and continue to prosper.”

Consultations with members of Overton’s public have been held throughout the two years to garner as much information about the local area as possible.

The document will be published by Basingstoke and Deane Parish Council in July and will be available on the OBS website. It is hoped that the document will continue to be added to with new submissions.

The OBS website is at overton-biodiversity.org.

http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/gazettenews/4475230.Otter_and_glow_worms_are_among_protected_wildlife/