£9.5m Boost for Nature Recovery Across Cornwall Through Good Growth Programme

Photo: Members of Cormac’s Urban Green Shoots team at work

Transforming Community Spaces

A £9.5 million investment from the Good Growth Programme is revitalising green spaces across Cornwall, promoting biodiversity and environmental growth. The funding is part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, a £137 million local investment initiative managed by Cornwall Council and backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

This funding focuses on creating accessible and inclusive spaces, protecting Cornwall’s natural heritage, and building resilience to climate change. One of its key aims is to enhance Cornwall’s environmental, economic, and social well-being, with a series of transformative projects already underway.

Urban Green Shoots: Reviving Local Green Spaces

Urban Green Shoots, a project supported by £975,000 from the Good Growth Programme, is increasing biodiversity in public spaces such as parks, pathways, and urban woodlands. It has also improved access routes to ensure more people can enjoy these areas year-round.

Melissa Ralph, Making Space for Nature Manager at Cormac Solutions, highlighted the project’s success in Sungirt Valley, Liskeard. “Urban Green Shoots in Sungirt Valley has really helped us tackle climate change by protecting and improving the tree canopy cover,” she said. “We’ve been able to really improve access for local residents, school children and dog walkers with a lovely set of new pathways and improved steps.”

Preserving Cornwall’s Heritage

The Cornwall Heritage Trust has received £260,000 from the Good Growth Programme to support biodiversity and heritage conservation. Among its projects is Sancreed Beacon, near Penzance, a vital heathland habitat for species such as the Dartford warbler, adders, and lizards.

Hollie Ferris, Countryside Ranger for the Trust, explained, “With the Good Growth Fund, it’s enabled Cornwall Heritage Trust to do more conservation work, engage more with local communities and have a higher impact.”

Connecting Communities with Nature

Pigshill Woods Community Interest Company on the Rame Peninsula has secured £171,260 to manage 72 acres of conservation woodland. Director Danial Alvarez shared how the funding has been transformative: “The majority is towards access, so that’s about getting people into these woods. It’s not just the physical access but also things that make people feel more welcome, like picnic areas and benches.”

A Sustainable Future for Cornwall

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, emphasised the long-term benefits of the programme, saying, “These investments demonstrate how we can work together to protect our unique natural heritage, support biodiversity, and ensure these spaces are available for generations to come.”

Similarly, Cllr Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said, “By enhancing our natural assets and promoting biodiversity, we are not only protecting our environment but also enriching the lives of our communities.”

For more information about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, visit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Prospectus and the Cornwall Good Growth website.

Photo: Members of Cormac’s Urban Green Shoots team at work