Ten of the town’s green spaces will benefit from a £240,000 cash boost which will be spent on improving habitats and encouraging the local communities in each area to make the best use of the space.
The ‘Greenspace’ project will run for three years and has been funded by a Biffaward grant and the Council. It will be managed by BTCV and the Council.
The sites are South Saxons, Bulverhythe shingle beach, Churchwood, Hollington Valley, Ponds Wood, Summerfield’s Wood, Old Roar Gill, St Helens Woods, Broomgrove and the wider Ore Valley and The Stade.
All the selected areas are Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) or Local Nature Reserves (LNR). SNCIs contribute to the quality of people’s lives and to the quality of the environment as a whole. There are 31 in the Borough.
The project is designed to promote community involvement. Studies have shown that contact with wildlife is essential to increase people’s quality of life. It relieves stress, encourages creativity and provides a source of adventure and creativity.
The money will be used to make the most of the green space and also to fund a training programme in conservation and community development for five unemployed people.
The Greenspace project is totally unique because of the wide range of issues that it hopes to address and plays an important part in the town’s Nature Conservation Strategy.
Greenspace aims to:
What is likely to happen at the sites? At all of the sites there will be creative arts projects based on the habitats in that area, it could be a shingle beach or an ancient woodland. Practical work will include woodland, beach and habitat management, construction of paths, bridges and information boards.
Councillor John Humphries, Cabinet Member responsible for Community Participation, said:
The aim of Greenspace is not entirely based on improving habitats for wildlife. It is equally concerned with working with local people to develop creative projects around all our green spaces and promoting the value and appreciation of our local unique natural environments.
Mike Cook, BTCV East Sussex Project Officer said:
This project represents a great opportunity for the communities of Hastings and their local environment, it is also a good example of what can be achieved through partnerships.
For more information about the scheme please Telephone: 446395 or 781107.
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This page last updated: 12/07/2001