COMMUNITY groups in Wellington are planning to create a green corridor of open space in the town.
The plan builds on the purchase of Fox’s Field by Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) in 2019.
It will involve acquiring adjacent parcels of land currently in private ownership.
The green corridor scheme will be funded by SWT’s bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
“The levelling up bid can combine the needs of the Wellington community with the salvation of both natural and built assets such as Tonedale Mill to the benefit of all,” said senior SWT officer Joe Wharton.
“The council has been working with the Wellington Mills community interest company (WMCIC), signing an agreement in late-January which demonstrated our joint commitment to the heritage and environment of Wellington.”
Other community groups involved in the project include Transition Town Wellington (TTW), Wellington District Sports Federation, Wellington Community Food and Wellington Town Council.
“Key elements of the plan include additional allotments, nature conservation, youth sports pitches, forest gardens and a community farm,” explained Adam Lockyear, leading for the community farm group.
“Over the coming months each of the groups will be starting to engage everyone with an interest in forming these projects to take them forward over the coming years and help to create a resource for current residents and visitors and generations to come.”
TTW said the green corridor is a ‘fantastic example’ of changing the way we live to create a more sustainable future.
“It’s all about connections: connecting people with nature, with the land itself, with our food growers, and with each other,” said Anita Roy from TTW.
“It is an inspiring example of what Rob Hopkins, founder of the transition movement, calls ‘hope - with its sleeves rolled up’, and we are delighted to be a strong partner in helping to make this happen in our town.”
Mark Lithgow, Mayor of Wellington, said WTC is ‘very excited’ about the prospect of the green corridor.
“When you factor in the concepts of new sports facilities and the opportunity for growing more of our own food, it adds up to one of the most exciting things to happen in the town for many years,” he added.
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