A campaign has begun to grant official nature reserve status to a well-loved green space in Coventry. Almost 250 locals have already added their support to the initiative that would alter Coundon Wedge’s classification.

According to Bablake Ward representative Jaswant Birdi, the proposal would serve both animal life and local residents while also securing the area’s long-term prospects.

As the Conservative councillor for the area, Cllr Birdi recently presented the scheme during a full council gathering.

On Tuesday 24 March, Cllr Birdi noted that an online petition on the council’s website was gathering momentum and would continue collecting resident signatures until mid-May.

Local people had been signing the petition to urge the council to award Coundon Wedge nature reserve designation for the protection of area wildlife. The Coundon Wedge surroundings contain a historic Arden landscape that visitors to the Wedge can appreciate.

By conferring nature reserve status on Coundon Wedge, the council would guarantee its permanent safeguarding for Coventry residents as a visitor destination.

As of publication, 248 residents had appended their names to the petition available on the council’s website.

The petition calls on the council to designate Coundon Wedge as a nature reserve, bestowing the rightful protections and benefits that come with such a title. It argues that for too long the site has been subject to speculation about its future, and that by designating it as a nature reserve Coventry City Council could ensure it is permanently protected. The petition suggests the council could ensure the site continues to remain accessible to the public using funding drawn from private developers through Biodiversity Net Gain Credits.

The petition is scheduled to close on 12 May 2026.