Have your say on the Brookside Restoration Project
Have your say on the Brookside Restoration Project
In August 2024, Hyndburn Borough Council, officially launched the Brookside Restoration Project. The project, which will take place over several years, aims to transform the old Brookside industrial site in Stanhill Village, Oswaldtwistle, into a haven of biodiversity, habitat recovery, carbon capture and climate action.
Image: Brookside volunteers taking part in a citizen science event hosted by the Ribble Rivers Trust
The 18-month development phase of the project, which has been funded by the National Lottery Climate Action Fund and the Windfall Fund, is being managed by Hyndburn’s community-owned environmental charity the PROSPECTS Foundation, in partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Stanhill Village Community Association, Ribble Rivers Trust, and Proffitts CIC. Together, they have lots of ideas for improving the Brookside site, but they’re also eager to find out what local visitors, residents, community groups, schools, and businesses would like to see included on site in the future.
Councillor Kate Walsh, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Families, said:
‘’This is a large and exciting project that has the potential to help us make a huge, positive, impact on both the local environment and the people who visit. Proposed changes already include improving access and signage, expanding wildlife habitats and biodiversity, and finding exciting ways to celebrate Brookside’s natural and industrial heritage. However, as we’re currently in the planning and development stages of the project, we would really like as many people as possible to share their own thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for upgrading this beautiful space. This is very much a community driven project and finding out what local people would like to see, experience, and get involved in at Brookside is essential to us creating an improvement masterplan that works for everyone.’’
Alice Pooley, Brookside Development Officer for the restoration project, has already been running events and working alongside volunteers on the site. She said:
‘’We’ve already seen such an incredible community response to the Brookside Restoration. It’s been fantastic working alongside volunteers and community groups on all kinds of activities this year, from clearing up the site to delivering climate seminars. Everyone I’ve spoken to is brimming with ideas for improving Brookside – as well as ideas for events and outdoor activities that we could host in the future. The consultation survey, which is open now, will allow us to gather all these amazing suggestions in one place and help us understand the true priorities of local residents.’’
You can complete the online Brookside Restoration Project Survey here https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/BrooksideHyndburn
If you would like to find out more about the project, become a volunteer, or follow the progress of the project through the Brookside newsletter, you can do this by visiting the PROSPECTS Foundation’s website https://prospectsfoundation.org.uk/brookside-development-project/