Hyndburn nature restoration nature project launched

An ambitious project to improve and transform an 87-acre plot of East Lancashire land into a place where people can enjoy nature and outdoor activities has been officially launched.

Brookside Restoration Project, was inaugurated by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Mike Booth at a celebratory event was attended by local residents, schools, businesses, volunteers, and fellow councillors.

Following the purchase of the 87 acre Brookside industrial site in Stanhill Village, Oswaldtwistle by Hyndburn Borough Council in 2022, the plan is to transform the space into a haven of biodiversity, habitat recovery, carbon capture and climate action.

The Brookside site, also known as Bury Meadows, has been part of Stanhill life since the 18th century and has been used for farming, mining, quarrying, and the textiles industry.

Most famously, Stanhill is where James Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny in the 1760s kickstarting the industrial revolution of the textiles industry.

The Brookside Restoration project is being managed by Hyndburn’s community-owned environmental charity, the PROSPECTS Foundation, in partnership with Hyndburn Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Stanhill Village Community Association, Ribble Rivers Trust, and Proffitts CIC.

Cllr Booth said: “Since Hyndburn Borough Council declared a climate emergency back in 2019, we continue to make climate action a top priority in everything that we do.

“The Brookside Restoration represents a huge step for climate action, both in terms of biodiversity recovery and engaging local people in the journey to net zero.

“Looking forwards, we are confident that the work here today will make real and lasting positive changes to the environment and the communities surrounding Brookside.’’

Hyndburn Council open spaces boss Cllr Kimberley Whitehead said: “The next 18 months developmental phase of the project has been generously funded by the National Lottery Climate Action Fund and the Windfall Fund.

“We are looking forward to creating an improvement plan to achieve the transformation.”

Alice Pooley, Brookside Restoration Officer at the PROSPECTS Foundation, said: “It’s a bold and exciting project to be part of, and there’s a lot to do over the next year and a half.

“We’ll be working with our partners and volunteers to gather data, undertake surveys, explore ways to improve biodiversity and habitat recovery, improve accessibility, and create a climate action initiative that will help us address climate change on a local scale.

“The Brookside Restoration is for everyone and there will be lots of opportunities for people to get involved in workshops, walks, talks, citizen science days, and community activities.

“Together, we have an opportunity to create something truly incredible.”