Brontë country to become protected national nature reserve

The sweeping landscapes of the Pennines inspired the Brontë sisters, and now those lands are being protected as one of England’s biggest nature reserves.

A huge new national nature reserve, to be called the Bradford Pennine Gateway, is being announced by the government on Tuesday. It will give Bradford, one of Britain’s largest and most nature-deprived cities, easier and more protected access to green space

The Brontë family lived in nearby Haworth, and the surrounding hills and moors inspired the scenery for novels including Wuthering Heights.

The 1,274-hectare (3,148-acre) reserve links eight nature sites within the Bradford and South Pennines region and other areas including Penistone Hill country park near Haworth.

The reserve will also protect rare wildlife such as adders, curlew and golden plover. Approximately 90% of the area comprises UK priority habitats including peat bogs, heathlands and wetlands.

A details from a painting of Anne, Emily and Charlotte Brontë, by their brother, Branwell. Photograph: Fine Art/Corbis/Getty Images

Tony Juniper, the chair of Natural England, said: “Reversing the historic declines in nature and moving toward ecological recovery requires bigger, better and more joined up areas for nature to thrive. The opening of this reserve is an important moment in this journey, marking a significant achievement in our efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment.

“By working with local partners providing accessible nature near to urban areas, we are fostering a deeper connection between communities and nature, promoting wellbeing and inspiring the next generation to support biodiversity recovery.”

The government will work with the local council and other groups to raise awareness of the reserve in Bradford and organise visits to the area.

The councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, the executive member for regeneration, planning and transport at Bradford council, said: “Around two-thirds of our district is rural, and we boast unique and breathtaking scenery. The creation of the Bradford Pennine Gateway national nature reserve ensures that these sites are protected and accessible for everyone in our district and beyond.”

The government has recently faced criticism for tabling proposed legislation that would allow developers to build on green space without creating alternatives nearby. New nature areas, parks and community gardens created to offset the removal of green spaces to make way for housing developments may not even have to be in the same county under the planning and infrastructure bill.