Published on Monday 21 February 2022
Plans for the new Nature Park at Throop that will encourage more people to get outside and explore their local area while improving their health and wellbeing are moving forward, with over half a million pounds of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding approved by Natural England for the implementation of this project.
Throop Nature Park opens up an area of greenspace along the River Stour with BCP Council’s Planning Committee approving the revised plans last August. £518,000 of CIL money that has been approved by Natural England as a heathland mitigation resource to help develop this new park, is being discussed at Cabinet next month.
An additional £100,000 of CIL funding will also be on the agenda at Cabinet for items outside of the heathland mitigation remit, as well as the ongoing maintenance of the Nature Park for 80 years which includes electric vehicle charging in the small carpark, baseline ecology surveys and a ranger to manage the site.
Councillor Mark Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place commented:
"This new park will create a number of benefits to our area. It will help alleviate the environmental impact of leisure on our internationally sensitive heathland ecosystems; provide a semi-natural space appropriate to its setting for all our residents and visitors to get outside which can help improve their health and wellbeing; protect nature and increase biodiversity in the Throop area.
"We are committed to our sustainable environment and our fulfilled lives priorities helping people lead active and healthy lives, and the creation of the Throop Nature Park will enable us to achieve these goals."
Plans for the Throop Nature Park include a network of new paths to encourage walking and dog-walking, cycling, new tree and copse planting, protection of the riverbank and the reinstatement of hedgerows to improve wildlife habitats, with signage being placed around the site.
This area in North Bournemouth has been selected as a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace area in order for large scale residential schemes to take place within the conurbation without adversely affecting the protected heathland habitats.
To find out more, please visit bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ThroopNaturePark