- Freeman's Marsh
Freeman's Marsh is a
Site of Special Scientific Interest in thecivil parish ofHungerford in the English county ofBerkshire .Located at gbmapping|SU329686, the site consists of unimproved meadows, marsh and reedbed. It is an important site for overwintering, migratory and breeding birds and supports many varieties of flora which are scarce in Southern England. It is located in the
floodplain of the River Dun, a small tributary of theRiver Kennet and is bordered by theKennet and Avon Canal . It was cited byEnglish Nature in 1986, and also forms part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. [cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1001426.pdf| title=SSSI Citation for Freeman's Marsh|publisher=English Nature|date=1986|accessdate=22 September|accessyear=2006]There are plans to construct a marina and hotel complex adjacent to the site, but the potential environmental impacts (particularly to
water vole s) of such a development on Freeman's Marsh have led to local opposition. [cite web|url=http://www.emmanicholson.org.uk/south_east.html| title=Emma Nicholson MEP|accessdate=22 September|accessyear=2006] [cite web|url=http://www.westberks.gov.uk/media/doc/m/g/0301105_1.doc| title=Planning approval|date=2003|publisher=West Berkshire Council|accessdate=22 September|accessyear=2006]References
Further reading
* [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002003004004008 English Heritage's Hungerford Common project] (which involves areas of Freeman's Marsh)
* [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/BRKwills/wa10822.html Will of William Vokin's] bequeathing his leasehold estate on Freeman's Marsh
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