Save the nature reserve from development
Donation protected
We discovered a site in Maldon which is a particular favourite of local walkers, cyclists and also home to indigenous wildlife is up for sale for potential development. This has been used as a nature reserve and flood plain for some years. It is in a place of natural beauty next to the river Blackwater and is a wild habitat for many nesting birds and small mammals.
The local community, dog walkers, nature enthusiasts all use the area everyday for exercise and enjoyment. It is nestled just outside of the main Tesco store and runs adjacent to the Blackwater river and Chelmer navigation the other side. Not only is it great for wildlife, it is a natural defense land for the local area. It was developed some years ago with boardwalks that run through the read beds so you can get up close to nature. It is also a concern that building on a flood plain and reclaimed Saltmarsh would create further localised flooding issues. In addition to this there would be potential access problems and the harm to local retail businesses with the advent of another retail store.
We aim to buy or lease the land and place it in permanent trust, owned by the people of Maldon and Heybridge and kept as it is for years to come. We will organise its transfer to the national trust if they are interested or keep it maintained by a non-profit trust group created from the funds of those who invest.
'Lets save nature and the open green space and not build a new store'
We need the funds ASAP so we can place the offer required.
Thank you for your help and contributions
Update 18/3/21:
The Chelmer Blackwater Reserve CIC has now been incorporated. The objects of the CIC are to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular (without limitation) to manage the public open space bordered by the River Chelmer, A414 Maldon Bypass, the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Canal and Mill Lane Footpath adjoining the car park of the Tesco Maldon Superstore CM9 4LE. It is a not-for-profit community interest company which will hold the lease of the site from Tesco. Everybody who has contributed to the crowdfunding is invited to become a shareholder-member of it. If you wish to do so, please will you e-mail the company secretary with your name and address in the terms set out below. Only £5 of your donation will go towards the share because shares have a nominal value of £5 each and only one share may be held per person. These shares are not an investment - or at least not one that benefits the shareholder personally: the CIC Articles expressly provide that no dividends or profits will be paid. All money will firstly be used for the purposes of the site and, in the unlikely and distant event of our having funds which are surplus to requirements, a meeting of all shareholders will be held to decide on donating these to a suitable public purpose. Similarly, the Articles make clear that the directors are not being paid for their work as directors. Our hope is to encourage as many people as possible to become shareholders, in order to make this a true community company.
Members of a CIC benefit from limited liability and have no personal liability arising from their membership. It gives rise to no other obligations but you will be invited to participate in shareholders' meetings and on-site work parties and other events from time to time.
The information which you provide will only be used for the purposes of the CIC and this project and will not be disclosed to any other parties, except that it may be necessary to file the names and addresses of shareholders with Companies House.
To: [email redacted]
To the Company Secretary, The Chelmer Blackwater Reserve CIC My name is:
My address is:
My e-mail address is:
I contributed £.......... to the crowdfunding site "Save the Nature Reserve from Development" and now apply for £5 of my contribution to be subscribed for one share in The Chelmer Blackwater Reserve CIC.
The local community, dog walkers, nature enthusiasts all use the area everyday for exercise and enjoyment. It is nestled just outside of the main Tesco store and runs adjacent to the Blackwater river and Chelmer navigation the other side. Not only is it great for wildlife, it is a natural defense land for the local area. It was developed some years ago with boardwalks that run through the read beds so you can get up close to nature. It is also a concern that building on a flood plain and reclaimed Saltmarsh would create further localised flooding issues. In addition to this there would be potential access problems and the harm to local retail businesses with the advent of another retail store.
We aim to buy or lease the land and place it in permanent trust, owned by the people of Maldon and Heybridge and kept as it is for years to come. We will organise its transfer to the national trust if they are interested or keep it maintained by a non-profit trust group created from the funds of those who invest.
'Lets save nature and the open green space and not build a new store'
We need the funds ASAP so we can place the offer required.
Thank you for your help and contributions
Update 18/3/21:
The Chelmer Blackwater Reserve CIC has now been incorporated. The objects of the CIC are to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular (without limitation) to manage the public open space bordered by the River Chelmer, A414 Maldon Bypass, the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Canal and Mill Lane Footpath adjoining the car park of the Tesco Maldon Superstore CM9 4LE. It is a not-for-profit community interest company which will hold the lease of the site from Tesco. Everybody who has contributed to the crowdfunding is invited to become a shareholder-member of it. If you wish to do so, please will you e-mail the company secretary with your name and address in the terms set out below. Only £5 of your donation will go towards the share because shares have a nominal value of £5 each and only one share may be held per person. These shares are not an investment - or at least not one that benefits the shareholder personally: the CIC Articles expressly provide that no dividends or profits will be paid. All money will firstly be used for the purposes of the site and, in the unlikely and distant event of our having funds which are surplus to requirements, a meeting of all shareholders will be held to decide on donating these to a suitable public purpose. Similarly, the Articles make clear that the directors are not being paid for their work as directors. Our hope is to encourage as many people as possible to become shareholders, in order to make this a true community company.
Members of a CIC benefit from limited liability and have no personal liability arising from their membership. It gives rise to no other obligations but you will be invited to participate in shareholders' meetings and on-site work parties and other events from time to time.
The information which you provide will only be used for the purposes of the CIC and this project and will not be disclosed to any other parties, except that it may be necessary to file the names and addresses of shareholders with Companies House.
To: [email redacted]
To the Company Secretary, The Chelmer Blackwater Reserve CIC My name is:
My address is:
My e-mail address is:
I contributed £.......... to the crowdfunding site "Save the Nature Reserve from Development" and now apply for £5 of my contribution to be subscribed for one share in The Chelmer Blackwater Reserve CIC.
Organizer
Ian Harden
Organizer
