Brighton wildlife group given £27k lottery grant

A lottery grant will help a Brighton wildlife group fund new habitats for dormice, owls, butterflies and bats and a nature trail for families.

Keep the Ridge Green and Brighton and Hove City Council’s countryside team are working with contractors to carry out the work on the edge of the South Downs National Park.

It involves planting native flowers in a meadow to attract butterflies and bees, improving a narrow footpath and building rustic seating by a dewpond.

The work, planned for Green Ridge and Coney Woods, is being funded by a £27,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces programme.

Three glades are to be created in the wood to let in light and encourage growth on the woodland floor.

A low deadwood fence will be built along the footpath edge to help enhance and protect the environmentally sensitive area.

An accessible wildlife trail created for families and school children and nesting boxes will be provided for dormice, birds, owls and bats, along with benches with backs for older people.

The council said that, in response to feedback from the public, the dilapidated oak steps will be repaired.

And handrails would be installed at the Patcham Place entrance and at the entrance from Mill Road and Waterhall.

Councillor Pete West, the council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Securing this grant from Community Spaces is wonderful news.

“I’d like to congratulate those members of Keep the Ridge Green who worked so hard carrying out consultation and putting together the application.

“Green Ridge and Coney Woods are important and well-loved public spaces which form part of the boundary with the new national park.

“These improvements will not only encourage more people to enjoy the area but will also provide safe and enhanced habitats for a variety of wildlife.”