Primrose Lodge, Clitheroe
Primrose Lodge, located in the historic town centre of Clitheroe, has undergone a dramatic transformation into a thriving nature reserve and is now open to the public. The Ribble Rivers Trust has successfully completed the extensive work on the Lodge. Now, the site ownership has been passed to the specially established Primrose Community Nature Trust (PCNT). Going forward, PCNT will manage the site, with the support of Ribble Rivers Trust. Their ongoing efforts will ensure that the site continues to grow in value as a public nature park. You can find out more about current activities at Primrose, as well as information about the wildlife found at the site, on their blog.
How did you transform primrose Lodge?
The project, which began in 2019, successfully created a wide range of new spaces for wildlife at Primrose Lodge. Additionally, it offers a new recreation space for Clitheroe residents, improves water quality, and contributes to reducing downstream flood risk.
The work was carried out in three phases. Initially, over 4,000 cubic metres of silt, which had accumulated over decades of neglect, was removed from the waters. Following this, the public access elements of the site were developed, including the footpath, boardwalk, and bridges. The third and final phase of the project was the installation of one of the largest fish passes in England. This has made previously unreachable fish breeding grounds accessible for the first time in hundreds of years.
Funding for the project came from a variety of organizations. These include Ribble Valley Borough Council, the European Regional Development Fund, Lancashire Environment Fund, the Environment Agency, and Ribble Rivers Trust.
Woodland management work, including coppicing and, in some cases, the removal of trees due to ash dieback (a fungal disease predicted to kill up to 95% of ash trees across the UK) was also carried out. For every tree felled, at least two trees were planted.
A special thank you goes to our amazing volunteers, who have been invaluable throughout the project. These dedicated individuals removed several skips full of litter, helped control the invasive Himalayan balsam that had taken hold in the reserve, and assisted in maintaining the site.
Why is this work necessary?
In 1787, a seven-meter-high dam was constructed at Primrose Lodge which, at the time, was on the edge of Clitheroe. The lodge provided water to power a mill. Over the years, the lodge became redundant as the industrial activities ceased, and the site remained largely untouched. Despite this, the unique nature of the site and lack of human intervention earned it a local conservation designation (Biological Heritage Site) due to its contribution to biodiversity. The lodge also supports flowering ferns and plants classified as ‘vulnerable.’
The transformation has created a variety of habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, seasonal ponds, habitat piles, deadwood, and rivers. Wildlife communities are already taking advantage of these new spaces. The fish pass, in particular, is allowing species like salmon, trout, and eels to migrate further along Mearley Brook through Clitheroe and beyond. This is boosting fish populations and supporting other animals in the food chain, including otters and kingfishers.
What Has the Project Achieved?
The completion of the fish pass has reconnected nine hectares of Mearley Brook. This has already led to the presence of salmon, sea trout, and eels in the heart of Clitheroe and beyond to the streams on the side of Pendle Hill. These fish populations will, in turn, support other wildlife such as kingfishers, herons, and otters.
The de-silting has created a permanent open water habitat that is already supporting wildfowl, invertebrates, bats, and other species, significantly enhancing the aesthetic and ecological value of the site.
The new footpaths connect Primrose Road and the lower end of Woone Lane to Whalley Road. Thanks to this, local school children can now use this woodland walk and nature park to walk to school. The viewing area provides a much better view across the site, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural surroundings.
How did we measure success?
The success of the project has been evaluated through a range of measures linked to its various aspects. For the fish pass, fish movement is monitored using Passive Integrated Transponder tags and radio tags. These tags track the fishes migration patterns and success through the fish pass. Fish populations were also monitored upstream and in other locations to compare changes and assess the positive impact.
Additionally, Ribble Rivers Trust also monitored water quality as it enters and leaves the Lodge. To so this we use automated sampling devices, while also surveying the plants, invertebrates, birds, and mammals that inhabit the site.
The results of these surveys already show that many species are successfully using the fish pass and inhabiting the lodge, including European eels, brown trout, and sea trout. Otters have also been seen patrolling the edges of the site, alongside a wide range of birds including herons, egrets, and kingfishers.
To assess the use of the footpaths and viewing areas, events are held, and surveys are conducted to gather feedback on how well-used the footpaths are and what people think of the site and the work carried out. These surveys will also help identify future work.
Who Will Look After the Site Post-Works?
The Primrose Community Nature Trust (PCNT) will continue to own, manage, and maintain the site. Their goal is to ensure it remains a valuable public nature park for future generations.
