European Funding Secured for Green Spaces in Urban Places

Cornwall Council has secured European Regional Development Funding for a major investment in local urban green spaces across a number of Cornish towns as part of the Green Infrastructure for Growth project. £3.5 million will be spent over the next three years on public recreational areas, roadside verges and old churchyards to make them better places for people and for wildlife. The environmental funding will create nature-rich habitat across an area equivalent to 35 rugby pitches.

Other UK towns and cities, such as Plymouth, Bristol, Bournemouth, have already made changes to the management of their parks and gardens to make them more wildlife-friendly: now it is the turn of Cornwall’s public open spaces. Green spaces will be chosen from across the towns of Camborne, Pool, Redruth, Hayle, Bude, Saltash and Penzance.

Joyce Duffin the Council’s portfolio holder for Housing and Environment is delighted, “I am so pleased that Cornwall Council can play its part in looking after nature in the heart of these towns. Nature is in serious trouble and many of our urban green spaces have great potential to help birds, hedgehogs, bees and wildflowers. At the same time, we want them to become more sociable community hubs, celebrated and enjoyed by local people. We aim to plant wildflower meadows and trees, create Cornish hedges and ponds, and work with local communities to re-think areas of our green space, whilst encouraging existing uses, such as responsible dog walking and sports to support healthy living.”

Councillor Edwina Hannaford, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, “Green Infrastructure for Growth is one of the first major examples of Environmental Growth in action, following the recent launch of the Cornwall Council and Local Nature Partnership Environmental Growth Strategy. The project will complement our recent motion to phase out the use of harmful pesticides on publically-accessible Council land.”

Jon Mitchell, the Council’s Public Space Team Leader is very excited about the project, “The result of this investment will be a visual treat for the eyes as well as for wildlife.  Local green spaces are vitally important in supporting healthy communities.  By making them attractive and interesting we hope more local people will be able to enjoy quiet recreation and play in enhanced and beautiful surroundings in the middle of their towns and residential areas.”

Green Infrastructure for Growth Project is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Cornwall Council and the University of Exeter. The University’s environmental specialists will help to ensure that we can measure and understand the benefits of the improved green spaces: both for nature and local communities.

If you live in one of the GI4G towns, have a green space near you and would like to find out more about the project, please get in touch: environmentservice@cornwall.gov.uk

More information

Contact

Jon Mitchell: Public Open Spaces Team Leader Cornwall Council Tel 01209 614466 email:jon.mitchell@cornwall.gov.uk

Natasha Collings-Costello: Ecologist Cornwall Council Tel: 01209 614336 email ncollingscostello@cornwall.gov.uk

European Regional Development Fund

The project has received up to £2,800,000 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.

Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership (LNP) is a Partnership of those who are working to maintain the special and unique environment of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The LNP considers the environment in its broadest sense and draws expertise from a wide range of sectors, including the environment, health and wellbeing, education, and the economy.https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/cornwall-and-isles-of-scilly-local-nature-partnership/

Green Infrastructure for Growth project infographic (attached)