Three-year project to enhance our green spaces

SOLIHULL Council has secured almost £2million to improve wildlife habitats across the borough, including several sites in North Solihull.
The local authority has been awarded more than £966,000 from the European Regional Development Fund, the majority of which will be match funded by the council alongside the Environment Agency.
The money will be pumped into preserving and improving 28 sites located within residential areas, including Alcott Wood, Chelmsley Wood, Smith's Wood, Yorks Wood, Meriden Lake, the Low Brook (at Kingshurst) and Cooks Lane.
Efforts to create reed beds, plant new trees and shrubs and convert grassland into meadows will be taking place over the course of the next three years.
Ian Courts, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council, said: "Many of the sites included in the programme are situated in the north of the borough and will therefore support the ongoing investment being made to homes, businesses and infrastructure in the area."
While some residents have welcomed the news, others have greeted the announcement with more scepticism - suggesting the improvements won't make amends for a number of controversial decisions to develop green spaces such as Babbs Mills.