Community Open Access-land op High Meadow in totaal 22 hectare en beheerd door de gemeenteraad heeft een impuls gekregen tijdens de bijeenkomst van het Comité Gemeenschap en Diensten. Councillors voted for an expanded programme of events and conservation management at the popular Nature Reserve which easily accessible on foot from the Town Centre.
Sinds 2002 the day to day management of High Meadow has been in the hands of the White Cliffs Country Partnership who together with their dedicated volunteers have hugely increased the local community’s involvement, love of landscape and built skills in gardening and land conservation. In 2016 the “Up on the Downs” Heritage Lottery Programme funded the complete regeneration of 7 acres as chalk grassland – a rare natural habitat – which is now fully fenced, grazed and open for public enjoyment.
The Mayor Councillor Sue Jones said
Extra support from the Town Council will mean that the highest standards of land management will continue to develop at High Meadow with a new Management Plan and vision for the whole site. There will be even more community events and opportunities for everyone to build health and well-being and get involved with enjoying our superb landscape.