The project for a marine garden in Silloth has received the green light from the city council.
The application submitted to Allerdale Borough Council outlines a vision to offer disadvantaged groups the opportunity to enjoy a marine garden overlooking the beach and engage in seaside reminiscence activities.
The space is also intended as an outlet to provide outdoor space for school visits and activities at Silloth Dunes.
The proposed garden would occupy an area previously used as a parking lot and would require only very minimal modification of the existing intact dune habitat and contain seating, wooden decks and stepping stones with a native species planting program. .
Access to the garden, both during the development phase and when opening, will be via the existing access roads.
Last week it was confirmed that through Creative Horizons Cumbria the scheme had received a £ 1,000 boost from Persimmon Homes.
Funding was pledged through the Community Champions program, which supports charities and local groups.
Susan Child, Director of Creative Horizons Cumbria, said: “Our trained volunteers provide a fun, friendly and engaging environment for people over 70 and people with dementia to socialize through a range of creative reminiscence activities that invite curiosity, stimulate interest and trigger memories. ”
Diane Finch, Sales Manager for Persimmon Homes Lancashire, added: “Covid-19 has had a particularly devastating impact on this part of the community, leaving them isolated and alone, so we are proud to support a worthy organization that is tackling to this problem in a fun and practical way. ”
Allerdale Borough Council confirmed that the plans were in line with a multitude of their plans for the area and, in accordance with that, they decided to approve the project.
They said: “The local planning authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this demand by assessing the proposal against, primarily, the policies of the development plan, all applicable obligations and also all important considerations, including the emerging local plan policy, the national planning policy framework and any stakeholder representations that may have been received. ”
Check out the plans at Allerdale.gov.uk.
Use ref: FUL / 2021/0048
