Funding boost for improvement of Solihull’s woodland, grassland and wetland

Solihull Council has secured almost £2m of funding to improve areas of woodland, grassland and wetland in the borough over the next three years.

The Council successfully bid for £966,552 funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds growth programme 2014-20 – the majority of which Solihull Council will be match funding along with the Environment Agency.

Through the Solihull Habitat and Nature Improvements Project, Solihull Council’s dedicated project team will work with the Environment Agency, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, community groups and volunteers to improve 121 hectares of accessible green space.

The funding will be used to undertake 28 individual habitat improvement schemes located in the urban areas of Solihull.

The schemes will include thinning areas of existing woodland and planting new trees and shrubs, converting areas of grassland into meadows and building new reed beds, wetlands and pools.

Leader of Solihull Council, Councillor Bob Sleigh said: “Solihull already has a reputation for its high quality natural environment.

“We hope that this project will protect and enhance our natural assets for the benefit of wildlife, residents and visitors alike.”

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Managed Growth, Councillor Ian Courts added: “Many of the sites included in the programme are situated in the north of the borough and will therefore support the ongoing investment being made to homes, businesses and infrastructure in the area.

“The project supports policies within the Local Plan Review to deliver high quality green infrastructure and underpins the vision of the Council’s Green Prospectus – to invest in and safeguard our natural capital.”

The water course enhancements will be focused on the River Cole and its tributaries, Kingshurst, Hatchford and Low Brooks.

Five grassland sites have been included in delivery across Chelmsley Wood, Shirley, Sheldon and Dickens Heath and eighteen woodlands sites throughout the whole borough.

Areas of improvement:

WOODLANDS

Alcott Wood
Bills Wood
Browns Coppice
Cut Throat Coppice
Chelmsley Wood
Coldlands Wood
Dorridge Wood
Elmdon Coppice
Hobs Moat
Palmers Rough
Pow Grove
Smiths Wood
Wychwood
Yorks Wood
Brueton Park (Lea Wood)
Elmdon Park
Hillfield Park
Lavender Hall Park

WETLANDS

Smelly Brook
Meriden Lake
Low Brook/Kingshurst
Hatchford Brook, Olton

GRASSLANDS

Aqueduct Road/Colebrook
Airport/Beechcroft
Airport/Elmdon Nature Park
Braggs Farm/Dickens Heath
Cooks Lane/Cole Brook

Read more: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/ArtMID/820/ArticleID/1816/Funding-boost-for-Solihull’s-habitats

Photo: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Managed Growth, Councillor Ian Courts.