Riverside land purchased to save it from development

Tim Weller, the council's cabinet member for environment, said: "We can see clear potential to enhance wildlife in this area and improve public access — supporting our nature recovery ambitions for the district."

While the management plan is still in the process of being drawn up, Mid Suffolk District Council said it hopes to attract a range of wildlife to the site including insects, pollinators, birds, mammals, trees and plants.

Todd Strehlow, RWT chair, said: "Although the River Waveney flows alongside Diss, there are surprisingly few places where people can get close to and enjoy the river, making this a unique opportunity to help more people connect with it.

"The site is already a very special place, with reedbeds, wet woodland and some beautiful old oak trees. We are really looking forward to working with the communities of Diss and Palgrave, and welcoming new volunteers, to help care for and enhance the site, bringing it back to its best for both nature and local residents."