Two Land Trust sites become Site of the Year for 2021

Beaulieu and Weetslade Country Park shared the coveted title of Site of the Year at this year’s Land Trust Awards.

Weetslade Country Park, which sits on the site of the former Weetslade Colliery, won for its improvement in all aspects of the site over the last year.

Site of the Year – Weetslade Country Park

Weetslade

Northumberland Wildlife Trust, the Land Trust’s Managing Partner at Weetslade, have created a new area for ground nesting birds and re-wetted the ‘old saltmarsh’ on site to encourage wildlife to flourish.

The picnic areas and all site furniture and signage has been improved to provide a better visitor experience.

In addition to this, a new catering concession has been a huge hit with visitors, leading to a huge increase in visitor numbers. The site has been at full capacity most days in the last year, with thousands enjoying time in this green space in Northumberland.

The joint winner of this award is nearly 300 miles south in Chelmsford. Beaulieu is a residential development in which the Land Trust has managed the green space for the last five years, and in addition to managing the green space the Trust has led an active events programme for the community.

Site of the Year – Beaulieu

Beaulieu, Chelmsford

As part of the Trust’s charitable aims, in addition to protecting and enhancing the green spaces and helping bring the community together, the Trust works with local schools, colleges and universities to offer a safe and exciting space to support learning. The Trust also works with Walk for Health, enabling them to deliver weekly health walks at Beaulieu for those at risk of isolation and loneliness.

The management of Beaulieu and activities held there provide jobs for three apprentices and opportunities for local businesses to get involved in community events such as the Christmas mini-markets.

Alan Carter, Director of Operations at the Land Trust said: “With over 80 sites across the country which have wowed us all over the last 18 months, it was a difficult task to choose just one site to claim Site of the Year.

“Weetslade and Beaulieu stood out as green spaces which have supported their surrounding communities and benefit the local environment and economy.”