AN AMBITIOUS £1M plan to transform an Accrington park into a 200-acre wildlife reserve has been welcomed by Lancashire county councillors.
The project to extend Peel Park around the Coppice, expanding it from Plantation Road to Burnley Road, was met with praise at the Lancashire Local meeting for Hyndburn.
County Councillor Jean Battle said: “I think the project will really benefit all the people of Hyndburn, especially dog walkers who will use it regularly.
“But I do know that a lot of people will be interested in taking part in the puplic consultations because of their concerns about the removal of its features, such as the shelter on top of the Coppice.”
This impressive scheme aimed at improving the parkland is being led by Lancashire County Council’s REMADE regeneration project, Hyndburn Council and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
The plan, which is in its very early stages, intends to improve the access routes into the park while restoring its original features, including its bridges and reservoirs, as well as making it more habitable for wildlife.
Peel Park is already popular with walkers but it is hoped that by increasing its size and improving its unattractive areas, people will come from across the region to visit.
Roy Halliday, Lancashire County Council’s development officer for REMADE, said the plans were in their early stages but members of the public would be involved in the final decision.
There would be public consultation meetings in the next few weeks to collect peoples views.
