Southern England's Cherished Landscape Set for Potential £1m Upgrade

A highly valued region in southern England is on the verge of receiving a substantial makeover, with potential improvements worth £1 million.

Wiltshire Council has expressed its commitment to backing a major funding proposal submitted by the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, aiming to secure financial support from the National Grid's initiative to enhance landscapes.

The North Wessex Downs sprawl across 668 square miles, encompassing parts of Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire, making it the third-largest designated National Landscape in England.

The potential funding could facilitate various enhancements, including the installation of more accessible gates, the adoption of environmentally friendly farming practices, the planting of new hedges and woodlands, and the refurbishment of pathways and trails for horses and walkers.

The National Grid's Landscape Enhancement Initiative is designed to minimize the visual impact of electricity transmission towers by supporting projects that promote this goal.

Under this initiative, individual projects can receive up to £300,000 in funding, with the North Wessex Downs National Landscape planning to submit six separate bids over two funding cycles in 2026, as announced by Wiltshire Council.

A proposal approved at a recent Wiltshire Council cabinet meeting will enable the North Wessex Downs National Landscape to apply for multiple grants, thereby increasing its chances of securing the necessary funding.

According to Paul Sample, the cabinet member responsible for the environment, climate change, and waste management, this funding would represent a significant advancement in the council's objectives to revitalize local wildlife and expand the area's tree cover.

Jemima Sellwood, the project lead from the North Wessex Downs National Landscape team, expressed her team's delight at receiving the council's support for this project.

Should the project be approved, it would mark a substantial step forward in the implementation of the North Wessex Downs Management Plan for the upcoming five years, particularly in terms of nature conservation across the National Landscape.

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