Nature Conservation and Biodiversity

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council look after a small number of natural green spaces to preserve the character of the countryside and to improve biodiversity through sensitive management. The largest area in the borough managed to benefit wildlife is Brocks Hill Country Park, find out more in our Brocks Hill section.

The other natural greenspaces owned by the Council are Flude's Lane in Oadby, Clifton Bridge and Pochin's Bridge in South Wigston.

Pochin's Bridge is a mix of young woodland and grassland adjacent to the Grand Union Canal and new housing in South Wigston. Clifton Bridge is a small piece of grassland and scrubs adjacent to the canal south of Kilby Bridge.

Fludes Lane

Fludes Lane is a linear woodland linking the A6 in Oadby to the wider countryside. A path runs through the woodland following the course of the Washbrook.

Visiting Fludes Lane in spring

In spring, as the temperature rises and daylight lengthens, the woodlands start coming into their own. Blackthorn blossoms first, followed by vivid yellow lesser celandine and purple ground ivy along the banks of the Washbrook. The first flowers to emerge in spring are mainly yellow as this is the main colour that attracts insects for an early nectar source. Later in spring frothy white cow parsley, hawthorn and red campion smother the edges of the path. Bumblebees forage for nectar and pollen and speckled wood butterflies bask in sunny spots.

Listen carefully as you walk through Fludes Lane and you might hear the territorial song of chiffchaff and blackcap, accompanying the resident birdsong of robin, chaffinch, wren, dunnock and nuthatch. Blackbird, song thrush and goldfinch can also be seen in the wood, with occasional mallard, little egret and grey wagtail utilising the stream. Ash and oak are the main woodland trees in Fludes Lane with an understory of wild cherry, hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple and elder.

Green Wedge Management Strategy

This page provides links to the Oadby and Wigston Green Wedge Management Strategy which was written by Stepping Stones on behalf of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council. The Oadby and Wigston Green Wedge Management Strategy can be downloaded below.

Green Wedge Management Strategy - Part 1 (PDF Document, 982.64 Kb)

Green Wedge Management Strategy - Part 2 (PDF Document, 1.44 Mb)

Green Wedge Management Strategy - Part 3 (PDF Document, 961.58 Kb)

Green Wedge Management Strategy - Part 4 (PDF Document, 820.13 Kb)

Landscape Character Assessment

This page explains and provides links to the Landscape Character Assessment.

The Landscape Character Assessment was originally written in 2005 as part of the baseline evidence for the then-emerging Local Development Framework.

To inform the production of the Council's new Local Plan, a Landscape Character Assessment review was undertaken and an updated report produced in January 2018.

Landscape Character Assessment

The Borough of Oadby and Wigston has a diverse range of landscapes including three main centres, residential areas, two green wedges and areas of open countryside which include the Grand Union Canal and the River Sence. The Council recognises that high quality and locally distinctive rural and urban environment can make a sustainable contribution to the quality of life in the borough and that sustainable development is essential to maintain this quality.

What is a Landscape Character Assessment

Landscape Character Assessment is a process used to assist in planning and managing landscape change. Landscape refers to both natural features such as landform and water and those which are subject to human management processes such as hedges and woodlands. The landscape also includes man-made constructed features such as roads and buildings. The aim of landscape character, therefore, is to define areas with similar landscape character and attributes. This character can be used to inform planning decisions and to ensure that appropriate landscape management regimes are developed.

Oadby and Wigston Landscape Character Assessment - Parts 1 to 3 (2018) (PDF Document, 2.45 Mb)

Oadby and Wigston Landscape Character Assessment - Parts 4 to 6 (2018) (PDF Document, 6.43 Mb)

Oadby and Wigston Landscape Character Assessment - Appendices (2018) (PDF Document, 8.45 Mb)