Winthorpe Village to boost biodiversity with Severn Trent Community Funding for new wetland area along River Fleet

A village is set to create a new community wetland and walking area after receiving funding.

Severn Trent have awarded a grant of £4,500 from its community fund to help develop an unused stretch of land along the River Fleet in Winthorpe.

The area, known locally as Coronation Bank, will be transformed by Winthorpe with Langford Parish Council into a new space for residents and visitors to enjoy, as well as improving wildlife habitats and boosting biodiversity.

Work will start in March, beginning with the creation of a new walkway which will join an existing path leading into the centre of Coronation Bank.

This path will be raised by concrete pillars to ensure it doesn’t get waterlogged.

Work will then take place to strip back vegetation currently on site, and then re-plant with ground cover, wildflowers and shrubs, to encourage the introduction of different species to the area.

Parish council chairman, Paul Smith, said: “When we were told that we’d been awarded the grant, my reaction was ‘thank you very much, wow.’

“We’re a small parish council so we haven’t got lots of money, if we want to do anything significant, we have to ask for help — Severn Trent have been incredibly helpful, so this has been tremendous.”

Paul added: “In Winthorpe we’re lucky to have a lot of play areas for children, open spaces and amenities within the village, but this piece of land has always been unused and unloved.

“It will be a major change to the environment in that area in many ways such as supporting the bird population and providing a habitat for bees.

“For all residents, it will provide a new area to explore and spend some time where they’ve never been able to before and experience the environment.

“It will free up an area of the village that is unused, it will certainly improve the community spirit.”

The council plans to involve schools and youth groups from the area as the project progresses.

Severn Trent’s Community Fund was created for community groups and projects that aim to improve community wellbeing.

Sue Heyes, Severn Trent Community Fund Officer, said: “Winthorpe has a really strong local community and it is evident how much this space will be appreciated by all who use it.

“It will also have a wonderful impact to the biodiversity in the area, so we can’t wait to see how this project progresses later this year.”