Using money generously provided by 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 local individuals, the charity will replace a dilapidated farm bridge that currently spans the Bin Brook. In its place it will create a brand new timber structure. In addition, the charity will create a 500-metre public right of way footpath, providing links to a network of other walking routes including those within the reserve and beyond.
Restoring this access route means that local people and school children in Coton will be able to visit the reserve more easily – gaining access to a wonderful countryside amenity right on their doorstep. Recognising the importance of the project, residents, neighbouring landowners and Coton parish council worked closely with CambridgePPF to draw up plans and obtain consent for the changes on site.
Work on construction of the new bridge will start before the end of August and the charity expects completion by the end of the year. Alongside work on the bridge, the project will also include the creation of new gates and some peripheral landscaping. Access for countryside mobility scooters / wheelchairs and standard prams will also be improved.
Philip Robson, Head of Properties at CambridgePPF, said: “Building this new bridge is the key to unlocking a brand new route into Coton Countryside Reserve. We worked extremely hard to get the funding in place for this important project and are grateful to all the organisations and individuals that helped us raise enough money and obtain planning permission. Our land at Coton has so much to offer local people and in time, we hope that they come to hold it in the same affection as Wandlebury.”
The acting executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Maria Cade, added: “We are so pleased to be supporting this project that will make it easier for the whole community to learn about and enjoy the local environment. It is great to hear that work is starting and I look forward to seeing the completed results.”
Fiona Taylor, Paths for Communities Grants Officer, said: “Natural England are delighted to support the work of CambridgePPF through this Paths for Communities grant. The grant will help to secure permanent access for the people of Coton and visitors to the wider countryside; it also aims to enhance biodiversity nearby for people to benefit from and enjoy”.
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 vision for Coton Countryside Reserve is to show how commercial agriculture can be reconciled with nature conservation and public access for the benefit of the local people. The site demonstrates 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 the Landfill Tax and the Landfill Communities Fund
Any rubbish that is thrown away and cannot be reused ends up in a landfill site. Operators of landfill sites collect tax on each tonne of landfill for HM Treasury. The purpose of this tax is to make it more expensive to put waste into landfill, in turn encouraging us to reduce our waste and recycle more.
A small proportion of this tax, currently 6.8%, can be used to support a wide range of environmental projects near landfill sites, through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF). Through the LCF over £1 billion has been invested in UK projects. The Veolia Environmental Trust is part of the LCF, which is regulated on behalf of HM Government’s Revenue & Customs by ENTRUST. For further information, please visit www.entrust.org.uk.
About The Veolia Environmental Trust
The Veolia Environmental Trust has been supporting community and environmental projects for over 15 years. Since we were established in 1997, Veolia Environmental Services (UK) plc has supported us by contributions of over £52 million to 1579 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.