Four schemes were funded by the second round of this ‘greenspaces grant’:
Fen Drayton Lakes
The RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes project provides 391 hectares of well-run, attractive, accessible greenspace at Fen Drayton Lakes. The GAF funding contributed to the purchase of the lakes and meadows and their subsequent management for wildlife and public access. Public access will also be enhanced by the proposed Guided Busway, which will have a dedicated request stop within the complex of lakes, and the adjacent bridleway/cycle track.
The project improved 20km of existing public rights of way and provided approximately 5km of additional public access, created new habitats for wildlife that are accessible or viewable by the public, provided interpretation and education to enhance visitor enjoyment and will continue to involve local people in the development of the Reserve.
West Cambridgeshire Hundreds (formerly Forest of South Cambridgeshire)
The Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust West Cambridgeshire Hundreds project will expand and link existing isolated semi-natural and SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) woodlands on the boulder clay plateau west of Cambridge, increasing the area of native woodland and reconnecting thousands of people with their natural environment through community and education activities.
The funding allowed the Woodland Trust and Wildlife Trust to create new public woodland, create a ‘Forest Gateway’ for visitors at Waresley and to purchase Hardwick Wood in order to secure long-term public access and habitat improvements for wildlife.
Great Fen Project
The Great Fen Project aims to create a 3,700-hectare wetland in the Fens landscape between Huntingdon and Peterborough and will link Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen National Nature Reserves (NNR) – internationally important wetlands that the project seeks to safeguard.
Funding helped purchase and restore 177 hectares of land to publicly accessible wetland habitat adjacent to Woodwalton Fen, in partnership with the local farmer. The funding also paid for the complete renovation and extension of Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom – providing a significantly improved year-round education resource.
Wicken Fen
Further funding was provided to continue the National Trust’s Wicken Fen Vision.
The funding allowed the National Trust to create further sections of the spine access route between Cambridge and Wicken Fen – building a new bridge over Swaffham Bulbeck Lode, creating a new bridleway (for walkers, horse riders and cyclists) to approach the bridge, and creating new wildlife areas nearby.