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The Express Gazette
Thursday, October 22, 2026

UK Green Space Harding's Pits Granted Protected Status After 30-Year Campaign

Activists and local councils celebrate as seven acres of land in King's Lynn are designated as 'village green status', preventing future development.

US Politics • 2 hours ago
UK Green Space Harding's Pits Granted Protected Status After 30-Year Campaign

Harding's Pits, a seven-acre green space in King's Lynn, England, has been granted protected 'village green status' after a 30-year campaign by local activists. The designation prevents the land, which sits beside the River Great Ouse, from being developed for housing or commercial use, as had been previously considered.

The Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk applied to Norfolk County Council for the protected status, a move celebrated by the Harding's Pits Community Association Group. Rick Morrish, director of the association, described the decision as "really great," noting the lengthy struggle to achieve the status. He expressed gratitude to the current administration for their support, stating that the designation "would give more legal status to protect the site... we're safeguarding it as a public open space."

Independent councillor Alexandra Kemp highlighted her own campaign efforts since 2017 to protect the area from potential developments, including a proposed road and a new car park. She stated that the borough council's support was crucial in protecting Harding's Pits west of Harding's Way.

A group of 10 people stand looking into the camera smiling. They are all wearing different coloured clothing, including green, red, blue and black. The image was taken on a warm day, the sun is shining on them. The group of people are in shorts and wearing hats. In the middle is Alexandra Kemp, Norfolk County Councillor dressed in a red dress holding up a piece of paper. A man who is standing next to her has an owl mask on his face.

The Harding's Pits Association Group, formed in 2004, noted the area's history. Originally a clay pit in the 19th century, it was later used as a landfill site before being transformed into a public space in the early 1960s. Despite the site's past, it is now valued for its biodiversity, including approximately 100 species of birds and several reptile residents.

A large bronze statue of a whale's tail positioned amongst greenery.

Michael de Whalley, cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity on the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, welcomed the decision, calling it "very welcome news for South Lynn." He emphasized the importance of such spaces for residents and for enabling habitats to flourish.

The site is actively used by the public for dog walking, accessing the town center, foraging for fruit, and wildlife observation. It has also seen recent additions, including a community orchid and an art project involving a circle of oak trees.

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