A new project to bring more biodiversity to urban areas across Cornwall is being launched in the new year after receiving a government cash boost.
Urban Green Shoots will create more nature-rich spaces in communities from next month until March 2025.
The £1.09m project is being led by Cornwall Council’s natural environment team with £975,000 funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
It will focus on locations that would benefit most from environmental improvements such as new planting, better access and places to attract wildlife.
Urban Green Shoots will also encourage residents to get involved in caring for the enhanced spaces through gardening events and activities.
In the pipeline for early 2024 are sites in Newlyn, Penzance, Redruth, Liskeard, Torpoint and Saltash, ranging from a traditional playing field at Gwavas, Newlyn, to the expansion of the council’s urban verge wilding initiatives in Redruth and Liskeard.
It follows the recent award-winning Making Space for Nature project which transformed 27 sites in nine towns across Cornwall.
Cllr Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said:
“Urban Green Shoots is aimed at bringing nature closer to the communities which are often least able to access nature-rich spaces.
“Our work in tackling the climate and ecological emergencies highlight a clear need to increase nature and wildlife in multiple areas across Cornwall. There is also a need to increase the quality of green spaces in towns and what they offer to people.
“We want our green spaces to provide pollinator habitat, shade, an increase in valuable flood protection and pollution control, to make town greenspaces more attractive and interesting places to relax and spend time in, and help communities increase their use of green spaces to contribute to healthy living.”
Details for each site will be revealed as the schemes develop.
Check for regular updates:
You can also sign up to the project newsletter list by contacting environment.service@cornwall.gov.uk
Story posted December 21, 2023
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth programme
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly have been allocated £132million for local investment through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. With a focus on green and inclusive growth, we’ll use our portion to achieve Good Growth for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, providing opportunities for communities and businesses and giving residents access to new jobs and training. For more information, visit https://ciosgoodgrowth.com
