Purchase of St Clair’s Meadow

This project will purchase Clair’s Meadow, 15.76 hectares of species-rich water meadow pasture including a stretch of the River Meon, to manage as a nature reserve with access for the local community.
Our aim is to secure the site for both its high conservation value and its value to the local community. Purchase by HIWWT will prevent a likely future of neglect or of compartmentalisation into horse pasture (as with other sites within the Meon Valley), both of which would have a detrimental effect on the character and biodiversity of the site. Purchase of the site by HIWWT would also safeguard the site for the local community who regularly use the permissive footpaths. We intend to improve the chalk stream and floodplain meadow habitats through active management and restoration works.