Revised Expression of Interest

This is an extract from a revised EOI which was prepared and agreed by local people and representatives from environmental bodies.

The applicant group

The project will be delivered through a partnership of Harleston Greenspace CIC working with members the local community and recognised environmental groups. There have been discussions with representatives and support from: Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Tyndall Centre at University of East Anglia, Waveney Volunteers for Nature, Waveney Bird Club, Norfolk Ponds Project, and The Conservation Volunteers, It has the support of Adrian Ramsey the MP for Waveney Valley with a written endorsement.

The project would fulfil a desire expressed in a petition signed by over 500 people for a public greenspace in Harleston: https://chng.it/Hhzm2tDdcD.

Does the applicant own the land where the project will be sited or is permission from the landowner required?

The land is a 0.997 hectare field off Rushall Road in Harleston owned by South Norfolk Council.

A change of use planning application with BNG metrics is been submitted. An agreement for management use of the land is being discusses with SNC officers.

Will the project take place on publicly accessible land?

Yes.

Will the land remain publicly accessible after the project is completed? If so, for how long, and how will access be ensured?

The land will remain publicly accessible throughout with access from a public highway to the north and public footpath to the south.

Project type.

☒ Mini forest

☐ Pond

☒ Circular path

Key objectives met.

☒ Carbon sequestration

☒ Biodiversity benefit

☒ Public access to greenspace

Please provide a brief overview of your project.

The project will be delivered through a collective of the local community and conservation groups.

All three of the key objectives will be satisfied. Carbon sequestration through plan ng mini forests, biodiversity benefit through plan ng wildflowers, and providing nest boxes, with public access around a circular walk.

Preliminary discussions are underway, and the project could begin on award of the grant. The overall project will take two years, with staged deliverables from March 2026. The project will establish a group for ongoing support and maintenance to leave a legacy for nature conservation greenspace for Harleston.

We would record an initial biodiversity baseline and monitor improvements.

There are various aspects to the project each with different delivery timeframes:

• Comparative planting of trees in a Miyawaki forest and natural generated mini forest containing native species. This follows a Norfolk County Council scheme of 2023.

• Plant an area with wildflowers seeds.

• Manage suitable areas will as rough meadow, only cut every two years to encourage natural regeneration.

• Install nest boxes, and build dead hedging and other structures for birds and insects.

• Create a circular walk together with associated seating and information boards.

• Deliver school and community nature educational sessions.

• Build dead hedging and other structures for birds and insects.

• Hold workshops to build a hedgehog home and bug hotel.

• Deliver engagement sessions to involve more people

  
  

The project will establish a group for ongoing support and maintenance to leave a legacy for nature conservation greenspace in Harleston.