Local community greenspaces to benefit from Green Recovery Challenge Fund Grant

Boarshaw Clough is a five-acre site consisting of native trees and shrubs with a footpath network, small river system and lodge

Four nature reserves in the Rochdale borough which are managed by Groundwork Greater Manchester will benefit from a portion of the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

The grant of £2.2m has been awarded to Groundwork for projects in the Midlands and the North to create jobs for young people, help unemployed people develop new skills, and unlock voluntary action on nature recovery and climate change.

Funding will be used to protect and improve the following local nature sites – Boarshaw Clough in Middleton, Irkside Nature Site in Middleton, Roch Valley in Heywood, Summit Nature Reserve in Littleborough.

The projects will undertake urgent work to protect and enhance parks and green spaces in communities where Covid has worsened health inequalities.

Groundwork is a federation of trusts that deliver projects across the UK. The £2.2m will fund a number of projects in each of the regions.

In addition, Groundwork will work in urban areas, including improving open spaces at Chesham Park in Rochdale.

Phil Treaton, Head of Neighbourhoods said: “We are proud to be a part of such an exciting project that will go a long way in supporting young people, unemployed people and parks and greenspaces in communities that need it most.

Local community greenspaces to benefit from Green Recovery Challenge Fund GrantWe look forward to working alongside local people and partners to make this project a success for all involved.”

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a key part of Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan to kick-start nature recovery and tackle climate change.  The fund is being delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Supporting our natural environment is one of the most valuable things we can do right now. All these projects are of huge benefit to our beautiful countryside and wildlife, but will also support jobs, health and wellbeing, which are vitally important as we begin to emerge from the coronavirus crisis.”

Defra recently announced grants between £62,000 and £3.8 million to help create and retain thousands of green jobs. The projects, spread across England, will see trees planted – 800,000 in total – and protected landscapes and damaged habitats such as moorlands, wetlands and forests restored, alongside wider conservation work.

The projects will also support environmental education and connecting people with green spaces.