Improvements at Chapelfield Nature Reserve

Bury Council are working alongside Community Interest Company Proffitts – Investing in Communitieson a project to improve the Chapelfield Nature Reserve in Bury.

Plans include pathway and access improvements, the installation of a boardwalk to cover boggy walkways, treating invasive Japanese Knotweed, and undertaking tree works across the site. There are also plans to repair culverts and coping section along the Brook, remove debris, plant more fruit trees in the orchard, and make the entranceways more welcoming to visitors.

Cllr Alan Quinn, Cabinet Member for the Environment, Climate Change and Operations, said, ‘’Chapelfield Nature Reserve is a beautiful space, and we’re thrilled that the Greater Manchester Environment Fund is helping us fund some of the changes needed on site. We want to make sure that nature can thrive in Chapelfield, and we want to give the communities close by a wonderful, outdoor space they can spend lots of time in.’’

Before the masterplan for the nature reserve was finalised, local residents and visitors were given the opportunity to share ideas and suggestions for enhancing the area. Martin Proffitt from Proffitts, said “We know that this is a place that matters to people, and we’ve had some great suggestions for the nature reserve that would make the site easier to navigate, protect native plants and shrubs, and attract more wildlife into the space too. Our parks, nature reserves and green spaces are highly valued, and we’re delighted we can make the changes needed to keep them accessible for everyone.’’

Although the plan involves upgrades across the Local Nature Reserve, a key aim is to minimise any environmental impacts and keep the public space as natural as possible. More information and a copy of the plan and survey can be found here: http://www.proffittscic.com/community-projects/chapelfield-nature-reserve/

Work on site is out to tender at present but is expected to last approximately 12 weeks.

If you would like more information, please email communities@proffittscic.com

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Notes

This project is funded by the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund, accessed through the Greater Manchester Environment Fund.

• Greater Manchester’s green spaces are vital to those living and working in the city-region.

• They are particularly important to our mental and physical health, providing us with places to walk, exercise, meet friends, relax or simply connect with nature – Greater Manchester’s green spaces provide us with nearly £700m per year in recreation, physical and mental health benefits.

• The natural environment also helps reduce the risks of the impacts of climate change – reducing flood risk and keeping urban areas cooler – as well as locking up carbon, improving air quality and providing space for wildlife. This amounts to over £300m of benefits every year.

• However, access to the benefits of green space is not equal. Not everyone in Greater

Manchester has equal access to quality green space, either at their home or in their local area.

• The Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund, announced by the Mayor of Greater Manchester as part of the Greater Manchester Strategy, offers small and large grants to communities to improve local green spaces or create new ones where they are needed.

• The £2.6m fund supports projects that increase the amount and quality of accessible nature rich green space, particularly in areas of greatest need.

About Proffitts - Proffitts – Investing in Communities CIC is a venture with a fresh and lively approach to community based regeneration, neighbourhood management and green space solutions. Proffitts is committed to connecting local people with local investment and give them the opportunity to improve their own communities through involvement and understanding.