Simon Jupp MP celebrates National Nature Reserve expansion in East Devon with Environment Minister

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, celebrated the official expansion of Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve into Lower Otter Valley wetlands alongside Rebecca Pow MP, Minister for Nature, at a special event on Friday the 16th of February.

Hosted by Natural England in partnership with Clinton Devon Estates, the ceremony in Budleigh Salterton saw the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve extended to include 90 hectares of land.

Over half of the extended area is habitat created as part of the recently completed Lower Otter Restoration Project (LORP), a transformative multi-million-pound investment into the valley’s environmental resilience.

At the ceremony in Budleigh Salterton, Simon Jupp MP discussed the importance of protecting East Devon’s rich natural environment with the Nature Minister and John Varley OBE TD, Chief Executive of Devon Clinton Estates which owns the land within the extended National Nature Reserve.

National Nature Reserves were established to support biodiversity and protect habitats, species, and geology. The Otter Estuary becomes the latest in the “King’s Series” celebrating the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said; “The inclusion of this beautiful area in the Lower Otter Valley as part of Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve is further proof of how lucky we are to live in our part of Devon. The huge investment into our local environment through the Lower Otter Restoration Project is already paying dividends, with greater protections for biodiversity and a more resilient ecosystem. I want to thank Minister Pow for visiting Budleigh Salterton to celebrate this great news with us, and His Majesty The King for the official declaration. I will continue to do all I can to support Devon’s countryside, waterways, and wildlife.”