A new wildlife habitat is taking shape in the north west of the county, after ongoing work by Leicestershire County Council to transform nine hectares of a former opencast coal site between Ravenstone and Heather.
The site, off Heather Lane is becoming a thriving wildlife habitat, which has been carefully designed to enhance biodiversity and connect with the surrounding landscape.
A total of 12,000 mixed native species trees were planted across the site in 2022, with funding provided by the National Forest. Around 40 percent of the area will remain as open space, sown with tussock grass to provide ideal conditions for small mammals and to support Biodiversity Action Plan species which have been identified as priorities for conservation.
These include barn owls – with several boxes having been installed around the site to encourage the birds to breed.
The site also links up with nearby paths and public footpaths, making it easy for local communities to get around and enjoy the area.
The latest project builds on the council’s earlier restoration and transformation work, which saw 18 hectares of new woodland created immediately south of Ravenstone village in the early 2000s.
The creation of the new habitat supports the ambitions of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, which was launched in July 2025. It sets out a clear plan for identifying and prioritising areas where nature can recover. It aims to restore and link habitats, while also bringing wider benefits like reducing flood risk and helping to tackle climate change.
Led by Leicestershire County Council as the responsible authority, the strategy was developed through extensive consultation, marking a significant step in supporting biodiversity and nature recovery in the county.
The Ravenstone project is a fantastic example of how we can repurpose land to benefit both wildlife and local communities.
By creating habitats that support species such as barn owls and linking them to the wider landscape, we’re helping nature to thrive while contributing to the National Forest and our Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Person:Councillor Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for environment and flooding