In an effort to improve natural habitats, restore historical landscapes and create more accessible green space, the National Trust has revealed plans to massively expand Saltram Countryside Park in Plymouth.
The Devon park covers 213 hectares (528 acres) and right now only a portion of it has free public access. The National Trust wants to make another 32 hectares to the eastern side of the estate open to the public. That’s equivalent to 45 football pitches – and would double the amount of publicly-accessible space at Saltram.
Plans include a 2.5km multi-use trail for cyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users that will connect to the national cycle route. There will also be new play areas and outdoor event spaces.
The trust has invested around £1m into the expansion and a further £300,000 will be provided by external partners for the trail.
Jez McDermott, general manager for the National Trust at Saltram, said: ‘Our work at Saltram is key in realising the potential of Plymouth as a pioneer city for nature and delivering a green lung for everyone to enjoy.
‘This area of the estate hasn’t previously been open to the public. The existing park already hosts around a million visits each year so this additional green space will allow us make nature even more accessible by foot and by bike for the 268,000 residents of Plymouth.’
Saltram’s expansion marks the first stage in a 10-year programme to enhance wellbeing in Plymouth by connecting residents with the city’s heritage and and nature.
Great green spaces of Britain
There’s been lots of good news for UK wildlife lately. There are plans to create London’s largest nature reserve, reintroduce storks to the capital and create a huge new ‘super reserve’ in Somerset. On top of those, the UK is getting a new national park, wildcats were recently introduced in Devon and Cornwall and the Lake District was recently named one of the best natural heritage site in the UK.
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