£175,000 Lottery grant will transform wildlife habitat

The money has been awarded after an 18-month campaign by residents in Eastfield, near Scarborough, to attract funding to help spruce up the area of park and woodland known as the Dell.

Now work on the site is due to start this month for completion in the spring.

Chris Parsons, of Eastfield Neighbourhood Partnership, who helped campaign for the cash, said: "The Dell is dear to the hearts of many Eastfield residents and has been an important part of the estate since it was built.

"We have been working hard for a very long time to make this project happen and are all delighted that the grant can finally turn our dreams into a reality."

Among the improvement planned for the Dell are new footpaths, improved access, ponds, wildflower meadows, woodland, signage, seating and picnic areas.

A team of six nature rangers are also to be appointed to run a two-year programme of events and activities with schools and the neighbouring community to teach first-hand about nature and wildlife.

The headteacher at Braeburn Infant and Nursery School which borders the Dell, Kate Tate, said: "We are delighted at the news. To have this on our doorstep will be brilliant and a great resource for the whole area.

"The whole community already loves to use the Dell and our families and our children and ourselves will be very involved in making the most of this when it is complete."

A host of community groups took part in the campaign to get the money, including residents, Groundwork North Yorkshire, Scarborough Borough Council and Eastfield Parish Council.

The money was awarded by Natural England as part of its Access to Nature programme and funded by 25m from the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces Programme.

Natural England's regional director Peter Nottage said: "Natural England is proud to support this fantastic project.

"We know that healthy and attractive local environments bring many benefits to local people."