In 2013, CambridgePPF secured grant funding and charitable donations in excess of £36,000 to repair an old farm bridge spanning the Bin Brook – a tributary of the River Cam. Using money from Natural England’s Paths for Communities (P4C) Grant Scheme; The Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund; the Co-operative Membership Community Fund; private trusts; and many supporters and local donations, CambridgePPF replaced the dilapidated stone bridge with a brand new timber crossing that provides a fantastic gateway into the site. The work was undertaken in partnership with Lattenbury Services Limited of Godmanchester – a family business that undertakes countryside construction projects for councils, wildlife trusts and environment agencies.
In addition to remodeling the bridge, CambridgePPF has also created a 500-metre public right of way footpath. Linking the village to a network of walking routes within the reserve and beyond, this new route delivers benefits to local residents but also to local wildlife, enabling the careful management of nearby meadows and hedgerows.
The bridge was officially opened by Beryl Smart, a long-term resident of Coton village, and a dedicated volunteer in the Parish Paths Partnership. The event coincided with the annual Coton Cream Tea and was preceded by a guided walk through the reserve led by the CambridgePPF.
Philip Robson, Head of Properties and Green Spaces at CambridgePPF, said: “Restoring the Bin Brook Bridge and creating a new access route into the reserve means that local people including school children will be able to visit the reserve more easily. Avoiding main roads they can now gain access to a wonderful countryside amenity right on their doorstep. We are grateful to everyone that contributed to this project from the grant funders, trusts and individuals that gave money to neighbouring landowners and Coton Parish Council, who assisted with drawing up plans and obtaining consent for changes on site.”
Paul Taylor, Executive Director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, said: “Well done to the team at CambridgePPF for completing this project despite some set backs caused by last winter’s wet weather. The bridge has been constructed beautifully and it is wonderful to see an additional route into the site improving access for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and standard prams.”
John Torlesses, Area Manager for Northants, Cambs, Herts, Beds and Essex at Natural England, said: “Natural England is delighted to have supported the work of CambridgePPF through the provision of a Paths for Communities grant. This project has opened up new nature walks for the local community and visitors to the wider countryside. It will also support local wildlife, which local people may enjoy seeing.”
CambridgePPF has owned land at Coton since the 1930s. The Reserve is part of the city’s Green Belt and is a working farm that members of the public can visit. Spanning over 300 acres of pasture and agricultural land it offers diverse wildlife habitats, a hilltop picnic area, panoramic views and new routes for walkers, cyclists, joggers and horse riders. CambridgePPF’s aim for Coton Countryside Reserve is to show how commercial agricultural practices can be managed alongside nature conservation and the provision of public access. The site shows that with imagination and foresight, the Green Belt can be managed for wider public benefit at a time when development pressures are threatening green open spaces.
About Cambridge Past, Present and Future (CambridgePPF)
Founded as Cambridge Preservation Society in 1928, CambridgePPF is a registered charity campaigning to keep Cambridge and its surroundings special by positively influencing planning developments, delivering environmental education and managing the green spaces and historic buildings in its care. Its diverse property portfolio includes Wandlebury Country Park and its Iron Age Hill Fort; Coton Countryside Reserve; Barnwell Leper Chapel; Bourn Windmill plus various wildlife sites and historic buildings. Key achievements include protecting sites such as Grantchester Meadows, the Gog Magog Hills and Wandlebury Estate from development and helping to establish the Cambridge Green Belt in the 1960s. CambridgePPF has a growing membership, which makes a vital contribution to the cost of conserving, managing and developing its sites. With its HQ at Wandlebury, the charity has a mix of busy full and part-time staff and is run by a Board of Trustees together with Advisory Committees staffed by dedicated volunteers. For more information about the charity and benefits of membership: www.cambridgeppf.org
About Landfill Tax and the Landfill Communities Fund
Any waste that is discarded which cannot be reused, reprocessed or recycled may ultimately be disposed of in a landfill site. To encourage Landfill site Operators (LOs) to re-use, recycle, recover more value from waste and use more environmentally friendly methods of waste disposal, Landfill Tax is charged on each tonne of waste sent to landfill. LOs are able to redirect a small proportion of landfill tax liability (currently 5.1%) to support a wide range of community and environmental projects in the vicinity of their landfill sites through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF). The LCF is regulated by ENTRUST on behalf of HM Revenue & Customs, and the projects are delivered by enrolled Environmental bodies (EBs). Since its inception in 1996, over £1 billion has been spent on more than 32,000 projects across the UK. For further information, please visit www.entrust.org.ukor see HMRC’s general guide to Landfill Tax
About The Veolia Environmental Trust
The Veolia Environmental Trust has been supporting community and environmental projects for over 16 years. Since we were established in 1997, Veolia Environmental Services (UK) plc has supported us by contributions of over £55 million to 1698 projects. We have helped fund a diverse range of projects, including the repair of woodland footpaths, the renovation of community halls and the installation of playgrounds and play areas. For more information, or to find out how to apply for funding, visit our website www.veoliatrust.org.
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
- We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
- We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and advising widely on their conservation.
- We run Environmental Stewardship and other green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
- We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
- We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
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