TWO new nature areas are being created to bring environmental benefits to the community as part of the multi-million-pound flood risk management scheme in Kendal.
First, works undertaken to plant 1,200 trees at Beezon Fields are almost complete by contractors Ashlea Landscapes and Kendal Conservation Volunteers. Now local willow artists Steve Fuller and Simone Siegan have created living archways within this new nature area.
Children from Sandgate School in Kendal are also planting bulbs to add to the biodiversity of the area and enhance the new sensory path at Beezon Fields. Ashlea Landscapes is donating 400 bulbs for the scheme.
Works are set to begin at a riverside site at Mintsfeet, known locally as Sandybottoms, as part of the scheme.
Horticultural artists and community groups are supporting the Environment Agency to provide a variety of art sculptures and planted features alongside landscaping which will provide improved environmental and community benefits for residents and visitors to the town.
These two new nature areas at Beezon Fields and Mintsfeet are a fundamental part of the multi-million flood scheme which aims to improve and enhance the river corridor through the town as well as better protect 1,400 homes and 1,100 businesses from flooding.
As part of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme, the Environment Agency has committed to planting over 15,000 trees within the catchment and at least 4,000 new trees in Kendal. These will be planted to create a habitat-rich river corridor – with different-sized trees to provide different functions and best suit specific locations.
Preparation of the site at Mintsfeet for construction of the new flood embankment around the boundary has begun this week with the landscaping works planned for later in the year.
READ MORE: Kendal flood defence works stop for winter - Environment Agency
Suze Southern, Environment Agency Senior Environmental Project Manager said: “The landscape for each area of the town is tailored to the character and conditions of the site with moisture-loving plants in the wetter areas, native species used where possible, but with some more formal planting and ornamental species in the town centre.
“Mintsfeet and Beezon Fields are key locations within Kendal, and the new diverse woodland planting will provide additional cover for otters and foraging opportunities for birds and bats."
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