The Saltings and Westward Ho Open Space Public Consultation: ends February 2009

The council is seeking the public's views over the proposed improvements to part of the former allotment site and to an area of open space in the Westward Ho area.

Ecological officers at North East Lincolnshire Council have secured a £20,000 award from Natural England (opens in new browser) to carry out an in-depth feasibility study and consultation over a scheme on land behind the Saltings allotments off Chelmsford Avenue in Grimsby.

Mike Sleight, ecology officer, has held a number of public meetings over the scheme, which could see an area currently littered with abandoned buildings and decades of built up rubbish transformed into a nature area comprising wetland and woodland.

Mr Sleight says the feasibility study will be completed by March next year, with a development plan set to be mapped out after that.

But he said: "This is an incredibly exciting plan for a centrally located site. The area is long neglected, but is already a haven for swallows and housemartins. I believe that with careful stewardship, this could be a truly exciting development with potential to educate and benefits for generations".

Susan Booth, regional advisor for Natural England (opens in new browser), said "We are happy to be working with the council on this exciting project. The feasibility study will help develop a high quality wetland area where wildlife can thrive. There is also the potential for providing local, accessible natural greenspace within walking and cycling distance of people's homes which will open up the area for everyone to enjoy and explore".

We welcome your views on the proposals. Please send your comments to Mike.Sleight@nelincs.gov.uk by the end of February 2009.

Surveys will be carried out in the following areas:

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• Botanical
• Aquatic
• Geodiversity (Adobe pdf, 1711kb)
• Birds
• Levels
• Drainage

View the proposed zones