Woodland Centre project takes root

The Centre - a joint enterprise between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Essex WildlifeTrust - has just been awarded £200,000 of European funding for information boards, waymarking, access improvements and education.

This cash help comes on top of an £18,900 development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which was awarded earlier to assist with consultations and preparations as the project shapes up.

The proposed centre, to be run by the Essex Wildlife Trust, will be a base to launch activities and events open to the whole community with opportunities to explore, experience, learn and enjoy.

It is part of a larger Belfairs Park Project to engage schools and the rest of the community in volunteering, education and family adventures.

Designs are being created for the building which will incorporate sustainable materials and energy efficient technology. A formal planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of the summer.

In the meantime, residents, schools and community groups are being urged to add their voices to the consultation about it, by completing the online questionnaire available via www.southend.gov.uk/belfairswoodlandcentre

A further consultation is being conducted towards the end of this month by Year 10 students from Westcliff High School for Boys and there will be more chances for community input in September using leaflets designed and printed by courtesy of Olympus KeyMed.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis, said: "It is very heartening to see how this project is progressing so successfully.

"We have already had a lot of helpful suggestions from members of the public and we hope they will continue to contribute their thoughts and ideas as the plans develop. There will also be plenty of opportunities to volunteer to take part in this emerging project.

"The Belfairs Woodland Resource Centre really aims to appeal to and involve the whole community, and by the responses we have received so far we feel it will become a very popular and thriving facility."

John Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "This is an exciting project to be involved with! I would urge local people, community groups and schools to join in the consultation and let us know their thoughts and views about the Woodland Resource Centre.

"Belfairs Woodland Resource Centre will offer a fantastic resource to the whole community."