Harnham Water Meadows Trust chairman Jonathan Marland outside Rose Cottage. 13/01/05TWELVE years after successfully acquiring the unique water meadows in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral, the Harnham Water Meadows Trust is embarking on a second major project which could benefit the local tourist industry.

The 500-strong Trust has purchased Rose Cottage and its three-quarters-of-an-acre garden containing an important water sluice and two major streams running through it.

The aim is to restore the cottage to provide accommodation for an education officer, and, in the garden, build an education centre for use by the community and by visitors.

The trust has launched a £300,000 appeal to cover the cost of buying the small brick cottage, its restoration and to build the education centre.

Already the trust has raised £115,000 in little more than a month with donations coming in from trust members, including a substantial gift from trust chairman and businessman Jonathan Marland.

Mr Marland said former English Heritage chairman Sir Jocelyn Stevens had agreed to be patron of the Rose Cottage Appeal and a number of charitable trusts had expressed interest in supporting it.

But, Mr Marland wants to awaken interest from the local community and the city, because the trust wants to develop what he describes as "the Salisbury experience" - a vision linking the cathedral, Stonehenge and the Harnham water meadows.

Already part of the nation's heritage, thanks to Constable's world-famous painting of Salisbury Cathedral with the meadows in the foreground, the vision has been further boosted with the news that a Country Life magazine competition has placed this view as Britain's Best View.

Mr Marland said: "What other city in the world has 100 acres of arable land and a secure nature reserve in its centre?"

Mr Marland said Rose Cottage, formerly known as Lock-keepers Cottage, is the only house within the water meadows complex and the trust had to pay the full asking price of £250,000. There is a further £60,000 needed for the restoration and building work.

The chance to buy it means the trust has been given the perfect opportunity to fulfil its dream of giving local people and visitors to Salisbury the chance to share and help manage the priceless and rare meadowland.

Since acquiring the redundant farmland the trust has carried out a programme of restoration which has included restoring sluices, re-opening waterways and a grazing policy.

Two years ago a further 35 acres were leased from the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury cathedral.

The result is the area has become a wildlife sanctuary with otters returning, and residents including white egrets, herons, kestrels and dozens of wild flowers.

Mr Marland said: "We want to develop a Salisbury experience where tourists visiting the area to see the cathedral and Stonehenge can also visit this unique meadowland with its world-famous view and enjoy seeing and studying the wildlife that now thrives in it."

Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal can get further details from the trust secretary at Caprice Cottage, Middle Winterslow, Salisbury, SP5 1QJ.