A masterplan for Britain's first new brownfield National Nature Reserve, which demonstrates how creative ideas for public access can be developed alongside plans to conserve and enhance a network of highly sensitive ecological habitats.

Canvey Wick SSSI is set to become Britain's first brownfield National Nature Reserve. The site was originally grazing marsh and was then partially developed in the 1960s as an oil refinery. The area has an exceptionally rich biodiversity with wet reedy areas, marshy floods, ditches, ponds, sallow carr, bramble patches, sparsely vegetated gravels, sandy banks, dry grassland, wet grassland and bare concrete. Sheils Flynn has worked with Catherine Bickmore Associates to develop a vision for the new nature reserve. The design proposals incorporate a visitor centre, play and picnic areas, equestrian hub, adventure play, footpaths and cycleways. All within a highly sensitive and carefully conserved network of ecological habitats which forms part of the wider Green Grid for the RSPB's South Essex Marshes.

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