An urgent campaign has been launched to secure the future of Ocean Lake, which lies in the Waveney Valley, near Harleston - and open it up for futher community use

An urgent campaign has been launched to secure the future of a renowned lake and nature haven - and open it up for wider community use.

Weybread-based, Harold Dean Charity, hopes to buy Ocean Lake, which lies in the Waveney Valley, near Harleston. At the moment the lake, which is the size of Oulton Broad, is in private ownership. But the charity which has licensed it for more than 40 years for a number of uses, including angling and sailing, has a first option to buy it, until December 2025.

More than £250,000 has already been pledged towards the appeal target. There is seven months left to raise a further £175,000 needed to ensure that the long-standing environmentally low-impact activities can continue and with new opportunities for wider community enjoyment.

Renowned for its spectacular sun and moon rises, fine views and dark star-filled skies, the lake - a designated County Wildlife Site for its exceptional wildlife, especially birds and dragonflies - is one of a number of naturalised flooded former gravel workings in the floodplain of the River Waveney.

Harold Dean Charity chairman, Charles Mosse, said: “Safeguarding the future of this amazing site is a once-only chance to ensure that the charity’s long-standing management of the Ocean can be maintained and enhanced into the future.”

Ian Carstairs, trustee: said: “This is one of the most important places in the Upper Waveney Valley for wildlife. These are also the places which the government has said are core sites in the community and crucial to protect.

“It is within a fifteen minutes walk from the centre of Harleston and our campaign is a parish-based idea so that people can help in the challenge of the international threat to the natural world.

The fund can also be found here

“It simply needs a different emphasis under the charity ownership to enable enjoyment for anyone who wants to go there; have peace and quiet, a look at the wildlife, go fishing or sailing, or perhaps a follow a new nature trail, if our bid is successful.”