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30/01/2012 15:05: Funding Boost for Teignbridge District Council

Teignbridge District Council has received a £8,957 funding boost from SITA Trust to help create a brand new grazing project at Churchills Local Nature Reserve in Newton Abbot.

SITA Trust provides funding through the Landfill Communities Fund. Funding is available for community and environmental groups to carry out a range of improvement projects.

The funding will enable the council to create a special sheep-grazing area at the Reserve, which is set on the hillsides of Highweek and provides an important habitat for wildflowers and lots of local wildlife, including the Marbled White Butterfly. Its steep slopes make cutting the long grass difficult, and to help protect flora, fauna and wildlife the council wants to return to the traditional method of letting sheep keep the long grass in check.

The project means new fencing for the area, helping keep the animals safe during the two periods of the year when they’ll be brought in to trim the grass. The sheep will be brought on to the land in March – April and September – October each year as long as ground conditions allow, helping maintain an ideal grass height. The sheep are owned and cared for by a local farmer.

The council is contributing £1030 towards the project, which is expected to be complete by mid February.

Cllr George Gribble, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Communities, Recreation and Leisure said:

"This hilltop reserve is important for local people and for our wildlife, flora and fauna. It contains a rare type of habitat known as lowland limestone grassland, a priority habitat under our protection plans as it supports so many different species.

"The Reserve offers unspoilt and accessible green space where people can enjoy stunning views and fresh air without having to go far afield. The SITA Trust’s support will help us safeguard the long term health of the grassland and the many special and colourful species it supports, improving and sustaining the natural beauty of this site for years to come."

Jools Granville of SITA Trust said ‘ We are delighted to be able to support this wonderful Local Nature Reserve at a time where other funding sources are so scarce. Churchill’s LNR is a well loved place where people can enjoy their natural surroundings – and with such a rich mix of species to see. We look forward to seeing the benefits of this funding over he coming months and years.’

 
Cllr Mike Hocking, Teignbridge District Council’s Ward Member for Newton Abbot Bradley added:

"I welcome the funding we have received to help support and protect this important green lung below the very dominant and listed landmark of Highweek Church. It is great to see that we can help to control and protect nature by using nature. We must also thank the Rangers for all their hard work both on the reserve and in helping to get this grant."

Ross Birbeck, who will be looking after the stock, said:

"This is a great opportunity for me, I definitely want to go in to land management and auctioneering when I leave school, but you have to have business experience. I've worked at Rendells' smallholders market and help friends and family. Finding grazing land has been a big problem. I need more, but this is a great start"