Wildlife Trust ‘deeply disappointed’ as Anglian Water takes over management of Grafham Water Nature Reserve

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire has expressed “deep disappointment” after Anglian Water confirmed it will take over the management of Grafham Water Nature Reserve.

Anglian Water has informed the Trust that it will bring the conservation management of the site in-house from April, ending a partnership that has seen the Wildlife Trust manage the reserve for more than 40 years.

In a statement, the Trust said Anglian Water made clear the decision was not a reflection of the Wildlife Trust’s dedication, conservation achievements or management of the site.

Anglian Water has said it is developing its own capability and resources to extend conservation habitats and improve visitor services and engagement, while continuing to meet its obligations as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The change means the Wildlife Trust will no longer manage Grafham Water Nature Reserve and will not have staff based at the site going forward. However, the Trust confirmed it will continue to work with Anglian Water at Pitsford Water and through other partnerships across the wider region.

The Wildlife Trust said it has been extremely proud to manage Grafham Water for more than four decades and paid tribute to the many volunteers who have supported the reserve over the years, thanking them for their commitment to protecting wildlife and habitats.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: "We've got lots of exciting investment planned at Grafham to improve the site for visitors and wildlife. To support that additional investment, we have decided to deliver conservation work through our in-house team. We will be maintaining the same wildlife designations and access to our site.

"We're saddened to part ways with the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire following a fantastic partnership at Grafham, but we'll continue to work closely with them at Pitsford Water, as well as on a range of other projects across the region."