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19/05/04 - Community work on West Cumbrian grasslands is high on the local agenda

A nine acre piece of open grassland in west Cumbria, which is being developed into a wildlife and local community resource, has been given cash backing by Cumbria County Council. The Authority’s Local Agenda 21 Fund has granted £4,000 to Hensingham Conservation Volunteers. The money will be used to develop a nine-acre area of open land in the Sneckyeat area of Whitehaven.

At present the land has limited wildlife value and hosts limited sport and play activities. There is also a small rundown community building. The site has been identified by the local authority as having special local community significance and ideas to develop the area have been gathered from people living nearby.  

Lawson Short, County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for environmental issues, said:

“The project’s main aim is to install a sense of pride amongst all age groups in the local community to ensure the area can be enjoyed by everyone. Hensingham Conservation Volunteers have planned a number of initiatives to realise the potential of the open space. These include enhancing biodiversity, providing new and improving existing cycleways and footpaths, constructing sports facilities, improving seating and hosting regular events.

“The LA21 grant will be used specifically to fund an allotment and wildlife conservation initiative as part of the overall scheme. Allotments have been secured for two local schools and work is ongoing on a wildlife area. The money we have provided will be used to buy equipment for the allotments and learning resources for the wildlife area.”

“The extensive local consultation that has taken place means this is a real community initiative that fully meets the LA21 Fund criteria. As the project develops over time, it will be further enhanced by volunteers, local schools, fundraising, sponsorship and financial assistance form local authorities.”