Those champing at the bit to visit a new 90-acre conservation area close to the city centre are to be given a sneak peek.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) will share its vision for Sweet Briar Marshes at a series of public drop-in events later this month.

Sketches, maps and design concepts will be on display as part of an exhibition, which sets out a long-term vision for how the city's wildlife haven could evolve.

Norwich Evening News: An otter spotted in Sweet Briar MarshesAn otter spotted in Sweet Briar Marshes (Image: Mike Dawson)
The exhibition will also tell the story of Sweet Briar Marshes so far and how NWT has been engaging with local communities and stakeholders to develop its vision.

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Director of engagement for NWT, Natalie Bailey, said: "After a brilliant year of getting to know Sweet Briar Marshes and its wonderful wildlife, engaging with communities and collaborating with our landscape architects, we're ready to share our hopes and aspirations for Norfolk's newest nature reserve."

In January last year, NWT spent £600,000 to secure the Sweet Briar site and now its masterplan for the site, off the Marriott's Way in the north-west of the city, will be unveiled to the masses.

Norwich Evening News: An aerial shot of the Sweet Briar Marshes siteAn aerial shot of the Sweet Briar Marshes site (Image: Shaun Lawson)
The first free drop-in will take place in Aviva's Marble Hall, in Surrey Street, between 10am and midday on Saturday, November 11.

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The exhibition will then go to community centres surrounding Sweet Briar Marshes, including the Phoenix Centre in Mile Cross and Marlpit Community Centre as well as being available to view on NWT's website from November 13.

NWT's senior engagement officer, Gemma Walker, added: "Sweet Briar Marshes is important for so many reasons.

Norwich Evening News: Plans for the site will be on display to the public, starting this weekendPlans for the site will be on display to the public, starting this weekend (Image: Denzil Dean)
"There's fantastic biodiversity, habitat and wildlife, which we'll look after and improve and it provides a natural oasis for the people of Norwich."

The land was bought by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, which agreed to hold the land for two years to give NWT time to raise funds, with Aviva match funding up to £300,000 to complete the public appeal in just four months.

Norwich Evening News: There will be sketches, maps and design concepts on display as part of the exhibitionThere will be sketches, maps and design concepts on display as part of the exhibition (Image: Natalie Bailey)