Community Biodiversity Grant Scheme
Huntingdonshire District Council is committed to enhancing biodiversity within the region. We have successfully agreed with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to set aside funding for 2024/25 to distribute to parish and town councils, landowners, schools and community organisations to help them improve the levels of biodiversity on their land.
To be eligible, the land must allow public access so that the community can benefit from the enhancements to nature.
The process begins with an Expression of Interest (EOI). If your EOI is approved, our HDC ecologist will conduct a site assessment in late spring/early summer of 2024.
These projects encompass a wide range of activities, including but not limited to:
- tree/shrub planting
- hedgerow gapping-up
- wildlife boxes
- pond and habitat creation and restoration
- landscaping
- wildflower planting.
Watch our Graduate Ecologists complete the biodiversity audits:
The Community Biodiversity Grant Pilot include the below sites:
Coneygear, Huntingdon
Biodiversity enhancements are underway at Coneygear Park, with a new avenue of trees being planted and the boundary hedgerow getting a boost with additional native plants to improve its condition. To further enrich the park’s ecosystem, pollinator friendly bulbs will be introduced and the wildflower meadow will be expanded along the ponds and tree line.
St Ives Leisure Centre, One Leisure
One Leisure St Ives is set to become more biodiverse, with funding to create native meadows around sports pitches, enhance the scrub, hedgerows and tree line with new plants and install wildlife shelters. Plans also include educational signage and a community event to connect people with nature.
Apreece Way, Stilton
Stilton Parish Council has secured funding to plant native trees, establish a blackthorn and hawthorn hedgerow and enhance existing hedging. The project will also boost biodiversity with pollinator friendly grassland, bug hotels, bird and bat boxes, and adding an interpretation board and bin to encourage community use.
The Old Cemetery, Cemetery Road, St Neots
To boost biodiversity at the cemetery, St Neots Town Council has received funding to diversify amenity grassland, improve the woodland and introduce valuable scrub habitat. Key work focuses on creating native hedgerow and wildflower areas along the eastern boundary, while bird and bat boxes and native bulb planting will enhance the site’s scattered trees.
King George V Playing Field, Ramsey
Ramsey Town Council has received community grant funding improve the biodiversity of the King George V Playing Field by improving the grassland to attract invertebrates, installing boxes for birds and bats and increasing the scrub to support more wildlife. They aim to improve biodiversity as well as the wellbeing of the local community through green spaces.
Yaxley Recreation Ground
Yaxley Parish Council has secured community grant funding to restore a native hedgerow, create a pollinator lawn and improve their community orchard habitat. They hope to attract a range of species to enhance the biodiversity within the recreation ground.
Woodland Area Bill Hall Way, Sawtry
Sawtry Parish Council has acquired community grant funding to create and improve woodland and scrub habitats at Bill Hall Way with the help of volunteers and specialists. They are hoping these improvements will attract the rare black hairstreak butterfly to the site!
Oynett's Field, Warboys
Warboys Parish Council has received community grant funding to increase the species richness of the Oynett's Field grassland habitat, with an eco-friendly mowing regime. The grant has also funded the improvement of woodland habitat, including the creation of glades and deadwood to support a range of species.
The Community Biodiversity Grant Round 2 was awarded to the following sites:
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The Pightle, Eaton Ford
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Offord Millennium Green, Offord Darcy
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Noble's Field, St.Ives
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Godmanchester Community Plant Nursery
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Buckden Rec and Village Hall
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St. Ives Town Cemetery
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Fourfields Community Primary School
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Thomas A Beckett Churchyard, Ramsey
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Freemen of Godmanchester Land
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Stukeley Meadows Primary School.
As part of the scheme, our Graduate Ecologists completed biodiversity audits of the sites.