The Countess of Chester Country Park honoured

The Countess of Chester County Park, which is managed and maintained by national land management charity the Land Trust, was honoured with a Highly Commended NGO (Non-governmental organisation) Impact prize at the recent Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

Since being opened to the public by the Duchess of Cornwall last September, the Upton-based site, next to the Countess of Chester Hospital, has already proved popular with residents, visitors, staff members and users of the hospitals.

The Land Trust acquired the former landfill site from the Home and Communities Agency in 2012, along with a dowry used to restore the land and continue improving the space and importantly to provide for long term management of the park for the public over the next few years. Additional funding was provided by WREN, a not-for-profit business that awards grants to community projects.

Working in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Property Services and Groundwork Cheshire, The Land Trust was able to transform the disused land into a peaceful space within a busy urban area.

CIEEM is the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers. Its award scheme is all about recognising positive environmental and conservation impacts across the country.