Restoring a natural rhythm...

An ambitious project to continue the transformation of vast areas of Wigan is now underway, says Roland Howard .

The Wigan Greenheart Landscape Recovery Scheme is building on half a century of post-industrial restoration in this unique and inspiring environment, creating and restoring habitats on areas once dominated by mining and other heavy industry.

The project is one of only 22 to receive funding through the first round of the Landscape Recovery Scheme announced last year through the Defra Environmental Land Management schemes.

The project, led by Lancashire Wildlife Trust, is a partnership involving Wigan Council and Forestry England as the main partners, and Natural England as the funding delivery body. The scheme will benefit wildlife and people by creating and connecting green spaces across the borough of Wigan.

Patrick Woods, Natural England Landscape Recovery Project Liaison Officer said: “Landscape Recovery is a fantastic opportunity to work in partnership to restore nature across large areas in a more connected way by offering long-term, bespoke agreements and enabling projects to access private investment. We are really excited to be working with Wigan Greenheart, and all the round one projects, to achieve their ambition for nature recovery.”

This historically important industrial landscape, largely created through the flooding of subsided deep coal mine workings, has gradually been developed into an exciting wetland mosaic made up of open water, swamp, reedbed, tall herb fen, wet marshy grassland, meadows and wet woodland.

What makes this huge scheme covering a combined area of more than 1400 hectares truly unique? Its green setting, surrounded so closely by residential and urban developments.

The scheme features hidden gems such as the spectacular Bickershaw Country Park with numerous footpaths and meandering wetlands, and Kirkless Local Nature Reserve, an oasis for wildlife alongside relics of its industrial past. It also includes the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh National Nature Reserve sitting at the heart of the Great Manchester Wetlands Nature Improvement Area.

Wigan Greenheart already provides thriving habitats for wildlife and beautiful spaces for people to explore. This project represents an exciting opportunity to continue that work, prioritising the recovery and protection of threatened species such as the willow tit and bittern, and benefiting many other important native species including the water vole, reed bunting and great crested newt.

The grasslands will continue to be improved for a range of plants including orchids, all of which will help to conserve the pollinator species within this rich landscape.

Dr Mark Champion, Senior Landscape Recovery Officer for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust said: “This project is vitally important to protect rare and threatened species like the willow tit and bittern by transforming and connecting their habitats. The genuine excitement when you encounter these birds for the first time is pretty astonishing”.

Encouraging more people to visit Wigan’s Greenheart is also a key part of this project, giving local residents and visitors more opportunities to discover, enjoy and connect with the nature on their doorstep.

There will be events, activities, learning and volunteering opportunities as part of an innovative community programme, all playing an important role in improving mental and physical health along with confidence and wellbeing. Councillor Paul Prescott, cabinet portfolio holder for environment at Wigan Council said:

“We are deeply proud of our rich industrial heritage and our pioneering efforts in helping the recovery and restoration of this unique landscape.

“Two-thirds of Wigan borough is green space, and we were hugely proud that the Flashes were nationally recognised last year as a National Nature Reserve. This scheme is an exciting opportunity to keep developing our Greenheart and provide our residents more opportunities to get closer to nature and explore those fantastic greenspaces that exist throughout the borough.”