Page 25 - The Land Trust Annual Review 2018

Economy Land Trust Annual Review 2018

“ Well-managed green
space such as Wellesley
is brilliant for people’s
physical and mental
well-being and it has
been wonderful to
witness the positive
impact it has had on
the local community
and the residents who
live nearby.”
Leo Docherty MP

Our site at
Wellesley
Woodlands is
now attracting
Site delivering best/improved over 200,000
economic activity visitors a year Community
Wellesley Woodlands was the first winner to offset any negative impact that
of our award for the site delivering most the development may have on the Thames
beneficial and improved economic activity. Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. cohesion
The site, based in Aldershot and managed in By working in partnership with Grainger,
partnership with Blackwater Valley Countryside and having a shared vision for long term
Partnership, was formally taken over by the Land investment and sustainable place making,
Trust in the summer of 2014 with the vision of our involvement has enabled the project to and volunteering
providing beautiful green woodlands and open achieve planning consent and secured the
spaces to benefit the local people and wildlife. long term funding for the SANGS area.

The woodlands form part of Wellesley, a This enables the Land Trust to manage the
development of 3,850 new homes being site in perpetuity, and has allowed us to
delivered by Grainger plc on former Garrison create jobs for onsite rangers, develop and
land in Aldershot, which is providing maintain the green spaces, including new
significant regeneration within Aldershot. pathways, trails and car parks, engage with
local residents, provide new skills, training and The average volunteer
A key challenge of this site was the planning volunteer opportunities and ensure the site gives up two and a
conditions for Grainger PLC, the developer, becomes a focal point for the wider community,
which stipulated a requirement for an area of contributing to improved health, economic, half days of their time
Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) educational, environmental and social benefits. a year for the Land Trust

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