A new sanctuary site for nature has been secured near the beautiful River Meon in Hampshire.

Following a public fundraising appeal, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has acquired Court House Meadows, a water meadow alongside the river.

The 8.66-hectare site, just south of West Meon village, will be managed to support wildlife, restore the river’s natural floodplain, and enhance one of the National Park’s rarest chalk stream habitats.

The acquisition was supported by £150,000 funding from the National Park Authority, alongside £50,000 from the South Downs Trust, the charity for the National Park.

Nick Heasman, Head of Natural Capital for the National Park Authority, said: “Chalk streams and their wider environments are incredibly precious for people and for nature, the much-loved River Meon is one of these special places, and by enabling the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust with the tremendous support from the community, the South Downs National Park Authority successfully secured this magical place, for nature, forever.”

Court House Meadows will offer a haven for mammals including endangered water voles, overwintering wading birds such as snipe, amphibians including newts, insects including dragonflies, and aquatic life such as brown trout. The open grassland and river corridor will also support a diversity of meadow plants.

As a sanctuary site, Court House Meadows will not be open to the public, ensuring that the sensitive habitats and vulnerable species can thrive with minimal disturbance.

John Durnell, Senior Director of Operations at HIWWT, said: “Securing Court House Meadows is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect an ecologically important site in the heart of the Meon Valley. With restoration work possible on both the land and the River Meon, this rare chalk stream site will be able to flourish.”