22 April 2008
£17.3 million to create new green spaces in Cheshire and
Warrington
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is to invest
£17.3 million to create 170 hectares of new green spaces in
Cheshire and Warrington.
The grant will be managed by Cheshire County Council under the
REVIVE programme, which aims to transform brownfield land across
the sub-region into new community resources with improved public
access, including enhanced provision for nature conservation on
previously developed land.
The programme, which will run for 22 years, aims to improve the
region’s living and working environments and make England’s
Northwest a more viable place for investment opportunities. It will
cover 20 individual sites – 18 in Cheshire and 2 in Warrington -
many within the Weaver Valley Regional Park, which will include the
creation of a new cycleway between Chester and Mickle Trafford.
Partners in the scheme include Groundwork, Community Forests,
Local Authorities, the Land Restoration Trust, the Weaver Valley
Regional Park and the Cheshire and Warrington Economic
Alliance.
Peter White, NWDA Executive Director of Development, said:
“The REVIVE Programme will help to tackle the legacy of
brownfield land in Cheshire and Warrington, transforming 170
hectares of land across the sub-region in to high quality, green
open spaces. The scheme is all about enhancing quality of
life for local people, as well as creating an environment that will
help to attract further investment.”
Cheshire’s Director of Environment Tom McCabe said:
“This agreement with the NWDA provides the opportunity to
transform significant areas of neglected and underused brownfield
land within Cheshire and Warrington into an environment asset. It
will enhance the quality of life within the communities affected,
contribute towards the improvement of the area’s image and act as a
lever for investment.
“County Council officers have been involved in discussions with
a number of landowners for some time and the confirmation of the
regional funding should now allow us to finalise negotiations so
that work can begin.”
ends
For further information please contact Sarah Moston, Press
Officer on 01925 400552 or 07810 528 471 or Sarah.Moston@nwda.co.uk
For further information and to view previous press releases
visit us at www.nwda.co.uk
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life