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The UK's first Nature Towns awarded green funding

Curtis Lancaster
BBC News
BCP Council Two goats sat in the sun looking at the camera on a muddy, grassy cliff while the beach and the ocean can be seen in the distance.BCP Council
Goats and cows have been helping with the conservation work in Dorset

The UK's first official "Nature Towns" have been crowned and are set to benefit from a £15.5 million investment in green spaces, streets and neighbourhoods.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) have collectively become the inaugural Nature Towns, in an initiative set up by a coalition of organisations including Natural England and National Trust.

It will also receive a share of the green investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside 40 other towns and cities.

Portsmouth was also among those to receive grant funding which aims to boost nature for millions of people across the UK by 2035.

BCP Council An aerial image of Whitecliff in Poole, showing the people walking along grassy paths and people cycling on constructed cycle routes. The grass appears brown and there are large green trees in the distance with houses seen a little bit further than that.BCP Council
An aerial image shows the large green space at Whitecliff in Poole

Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, energy and environment at BCP Council, said: "We have incredible green spaces across our three towns and it is so important that we protect them for future generations.

"Our parks operations and countryside teams work brilliantly to maintain and restore our vast natural spaces and this accreditation is a well-deserved recognition of that."

The council has been seeking to improve and enhance the natural environment, in some instances using goats and cows to help with conservation grazing on cliffs and heaths.

It highlighted work with Dorset Wildlife Trust to restore the peatlands at Canford Heath in Poole, which were damaged by a fire.

Oliver Harmar of Natural England, said: "We're delighted to be able to award Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole their collective status as the first UK Nature Towns today, recognising BCP Council's commitment with their partners to transform life for their communities through providing more and better nature and green space."

Portsmouth City Council The view from Portsdown Hill, which overlooks Portsmouth there is trees and other greenery in the foreground and housing and the sea in the backgroundPortsmouth City Council
The view from Portsdown Hill, which overlooks Portsmouth

Portsmouth City Council said the funding would help identify opportunities for new green infrastructure, such as rain gardens to reduce flooding and wildlife corridors.

Kimberly Barrett, Portsmouth's cabinet member for climate change and Greening the City, said: "This funding will help us understand how we can work with residents and communities to achieve our bold ambition to make Portsmouth a nature positive city, where the benefits of nature can be enjoyed and support the health and wellbeing of residents."

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