Upton Wood improvements to commence
Following a series of consultations with the local
community, improvements to Upton Wood are planned to begin in mid
September.
The residents of Pony Drive, Upton Heath and
Gorse Lane plus other surrounding areas will all benefit from a
range of improvements, including new surfacing for the foot and
cycle paths; improved main entry points to enable access for all;
new seating and information boards and wildlife-friendly hedging.
The new improvements will provide the first stage of a safe,
traffic- free route to Upton Country Park where people can join the
Poole Heritage Cycle Route to Poole Quay and the town centre.
The work requires closure of the woods for a
period of 8 weeks, however, it is intended that the bridleway from
Pony Drive to the Poole Road/A35 intersection will remain open at
all times.
Councillor Nick Cake, Natural Environment
Spokesperson, said: “The project has been well received by
the local community and will enhance recreational use of the woods
whilst safeguarding wildlife interests. We look forward to
its completion”.
Purbeck District Council secured funding for
the project through the Heathland Mitigation Fund.
What is Heathland Mitigation Funding?
Heathland Mitigation Funds are created by developers paying
'planning obligations' through the planning process for
developments between 400m and 5km* from the boundary of a protected
heath, with the desire to safeguard Dorset's once extensive
heathlands from further degradation and fragmentation by urban
development and other land uses.
*It is the view of Natural England that the cumulative effect of
further residential development within 5km of
European designated heathland sites in Dorset would have a
significant adverse effect on the rare and important habitats and
associated plant and animal species of our lowland heaths.
Additional residential development within 400m of heathland would,
it is believed, have such an adverse effect that it is unlikely to
be approved.
It has been agreed that avoidance or mitigation measures can be
taken that will allow development to be approved. The funding will
be used to enable mitigation measures such as enhancements to
existing open space and other publicly owned land and the provision
of alternative facilities that would divert recreational use away
from the heathland.
Contact:
Richard Wilson, Economic and Community Development Manager,
Purbeck District Council, on 01929 557320.
Links:
Dorset Heathlands Joint Development Plan