Hopes to build a brand new warden’s base at Wren’s Nest National Nature Reserve are set to move a step closer as cabinet learns about the acquisition of two new sites at a meeting this week.

Additional land on Wrens Hill Road was acquired by the council in August which means plans for the site can begin to move forwards. Design briefs are set to be commissioned with the input of the service itself, friends group and partner agencies. Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm, said:

"Wren’s Nest is an absolute asset to the borough, it provides such beautiful green space but is also at the heart of the Black Country Geopark.

"We’ve already invested in a new warden’s base at Saltwells, allowing us to deliver additional educational and research opportunities at the site. We hope to be able to do the same for Wren’s Nest and provide the people of the borough, visitors, naturalists and geologists with a resource which helps them learn and enjoy visiting this unique site.

"The next stage will be to commission designs, and working with partners including our invaluable friends and volunteers who are the life of the reserve, who will be an important part of that."