Grant help for wildlife project

Plans to turn a nine-acre piece of open grassland in west Cumbria into a wildlife preserve, have received cash backing by Cumbria County Council.

The area, in the Sneckyeat area of Whitehaven is currently run down, with few community facilities.

But it has been identified as an area to be developed as a centre for wildlife and a focus of community life.

Cumbria County Council has given £4,000 to Hensingham Conservation Volunteers in an effort to improve the site.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: "At present the land has limited wildlife value and hosts limited sport and play activities.

"There is also a small run-down community building.

Improving facilities

"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."

"This 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 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."