WORK to deliver a coastal country park in Christchurch is progressing despite a major housing development which was due to contribute to the scheme being axed.
Christchurch Borough Council gave the “legacy project” the green light in December 2018.
Initial funding of £325,000 was allocated to deliver the 15-hectare Stanpit and Riversmeet Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).
A team at BCP Council has been progressing the project, which is taking place at Stanpit Recreation Ground and Two Riversmeet Golf Course.
The delivery phase is due to be completed in 2024, with on-site work ongoing this year.
Developers provide financial fees to the local authority to contribute towards the delivery and maintenance of SANGs to mitigate the impact their schemes will have.
However, a major housing development which had been paired with the Christchurch SANG and would have provided significant funding for the upkeep of the country park has been scrapped.
A condition of the planning approval for REIDsteel’s 170-home redevelopment of the business’s Reid Street site involved a £900,000 contribution to the greenspace.
As reported, REIDsteel had planned to move its setup to be part of a huge new development near Bournemouth Airport but it withdrew from the project, favouring an expansion of its existing operation just outside the town centre.
As a result, the SANG contribution will not be delivered as the housing scheme will not take place.
A BCP Council spokeswoman told the Daily Echo no homes had currently been allocated to the Stanpit and Riversmeet SANG “because the initially planned developments have not happened.
They added that the site is “ready for when new developments come on board”.
The local authority has committed to maintaining the SANG for 80 years.
Councillor Mark Anderson, BCP Council portfolio holder for environment and place, said the current plan regarding the costs of works and ongoing maintenance will continue to be met through developer contributions from the council’s heathland mitigation fund.
This will be linked to relevant future developments, as they are approved.
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Cllr Anderson said: “Improvements are continuing to be made at the Stanpit and Riversmeet SANG, which has seen a lot of fantastic changes in the last three years, as part of delivery phase which runs until December 2024.
“It’s already a beautiful place to enjoy taking in the local views and wildlife, as well as for walking your dog and exploring the local area.
“Residents are enjoying all the benefits of the improvements which include a 1km long gravel circuit path, new benches, fencing, enhanced accesses, wildlife pond, sculptures, dog water fountain and planting of trees and hedging.
"Further work is planned for 2022, including more wildlife sculptures, site interpretation and signage.”
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