IN response to the letter by Martin Field (I’m paying more and more for less and less, March 19), I would like to reassure readers that if the transfer of management responsibility for Queenswood and Bodenham Lake to Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) and New Leaf (NL) were to proceed, there would be no threat to the status of either site.

The entire area of Queenswood is designated as a Local Nature Reserve, under the Open Spaces Act (1996). The northern section is further underpinned by an even stronger national designation – a Site of Special Scientific Interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

HWT and NL will work with statutory authorities and local communities not just to safeguard Queenswood, but to improve it from both a wildlife and visitor perspective.

We will also work in partnership to ensure continuity for the running of Bodenham Lake as a nature reserve. Currently the open water and community orchard are recognised as a ‘local wildlife site’ under the existing Unitary Development Plan, which would be carried forward into the new Local Development Plan.

The remit of our respective organisations it to conserve wildlife, connect people to nature, and promote sustainable living – the public can therefore be safe in the knowledge that these beautiful sites would be well managed under our custodianship.

JOHN CLARK Development director, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust