Land near the River Frome in Somerset could be secured as a “public space for people and nature” if a new crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal.

The River Frome runs south to north at the eastern edge of the town, providing a natural eastern border for the area and a valuable ecological buffer between the town and the surrounding countryside.

While most of the riverbank is accessible via a public right of way, a crucial short section lacks guaranteed public access – namely the section between the Old Printworks housing development and The Retreat.

Frome Town Council unanimously voted in June to purchase a crucial section of land and register the route along it as a public footpath on Somerset Council’s definitive rights of way map.

A crowd-funding campaign has now been launched to raise the remaining funding required to purchase this land and create a ‘water meadow’ for future generations to enjoy.

The four-acre site in question, dubbed the Adderwell water meadow, lies on the west bank of the river, with the existing path through the land being narrow, overgrown and stony.

The route’s future was threatened when the Planning Inspectorate ruled in favour of four new homes and an employment studio being constructed on The Retreat back in August 2021 – a decision described by members of the Save River Frome Pathway campaign group as “tragic”.

Under the ‘water meadow’ proposals, the existing boardwalk constructed by the Acorn Property Group as part of the Old Printworks development on Caxton Road will be extended under the railway bridge up to The Retreat.

The town council has already submitted an application to Somerset Council to designate this path as a public right of way – with the route being secured all the way to the Blatchbridge area on the edge of Frome, near the proposed Selwood Garden Community of 1,700 new homes.

The Friends of the River Frome, which will be leading the project with the town council, said preserving the would boost biodiversity and reduce flooding.

A spokesman said: “Water meadows are a distinctive wetland habitat for wildlife. The well-watered ground has lush growth in the spring.

“Already we regularly see green woodpeckers, sparrow hawks, kingfishers, dippers, as well as slow-worms, otters and beavers.

“The meadow is opposite the Rodden Nature Reserve on the other bank, so the whole area is becoming an important haven for wildlife as the town expands.”

It will cost £75,000 to acquire the land and create the improved access – of which £50,000 has already been raised by Frome Town Council and the Friends of the River Frome.

The newly-launched Crowdfunder seeks to secure the remaining £25,000, with match funding being provided by the Aviva Community Fund Fund – meaning a donation of £100 with gift aid will actually raise £220.

If the purchase is successful, the land will be transferred to the Theodora Ann Le Gros Trust, which is “dedicated to preserving Frome’s open spaces for the benefit of the community forever”.

To donate visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/adderwell-water-meadow.