by Faith Eckersall.

Rare greater horseshoe bats are just one of the species which will benefit from a new wildlife haven being created near Blandford.
Dorset Council has purchased 13 acres of land adjoining Milldown Nature Reserve and is looking for volunteers to help plant trees and hedges.

The land, which is currently arable fields and woodland, adjoins the Green Flag award-winning Milldown Nature Reserve and North Dorset Trailway near Blandford.
The aim of the land purchase is to create new habitat and wildlife corridors to support the survival of one of the rarest bats in Europe, the greater horseshoe, said the council.
The project will see hedgerow restoration, the creation of a wildflower meadow and additional tree-planting.
The purchase money came from the council’s Habitat Compensation Fund, using money secured through developer contributions. Additional cash also came from Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.
The new reserve will provide crucial habitat for adults and juvenile bats from the nearby Bryanston Site of Special Scientific Interest roost, whilst also supporting other bat species and a host of other wildlife.
Dorset’s portfolio holder for the environment, Ray Bryan, said: “This recent land purchase is an excellent opportunity to create much-needed habitat for Dorset’s wildlife, whilst providing more access to the countryside for residents.
“We are determined to work with partners to promote the recovery of nature and tackle the ecological emergency.”
However, some residents took to social media to complain that developers had ‘exploited’ the opportunity to build on green land.
“Thirteen acres of ‘transformed’ land is an insignificant area compared to the land that has been taken for development over the past three years in Blandford Forum alone,” said one.
Donations of £40 (+vat) for the 70 trees being planted are being taken by Blandford Forum Town Council.