Green Funding for Cardigan Road

11.42.52pm GMT Thu 11th Nov 2004

The Leeds North West Inner Area Committee is providing £5000 to work up a coherent environmental plan of action for the Cardigan Road corridor in Headingley:

Councillor Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley) who is Chair of the Inner North West Area Committee commented: "This is a big step towards creating a greener environment in the area. It is important to tidy up the area for local people but also for visitors - many of whom approach the cricket and rugby grounds from Cardigan Road. By improving the routes to and from the Headingley stadiums we are aiming to encourage visitors and locals alike to look after the area."

Councillor Greg Mulholland of the Headingley Ward added: "Headingley has one of the lowest amounts of green space in the city so it's important that we make the most of what we have got. Both Sparrow Park and The Bearpit are invaluable and it is essential that we use them effectively. We know that local residents and community groups are concerned about improving this part of Headingley and we will ensure we work in full consultation with them."

Projects include

· Sparrow Park - a small triangle of greenery. Its renovation has been hampered by the inability to identify who owns the land. The money will be used to help establish ownership so that renovation works can be carried out legally. We will also look at the feasibility of adopting adjacent land currently owned by the Highways department

· The Bearpit - many uses for this Victorian relic have been proposed over the years. The money will be used to carry out emergency remedial work (the pit is currently in danger of collapse due to damage from tree roots) and to look at possible future uses. Discussions regarding the longer-term future of the site, which is owned by the Civic Trust, are on going.

· Greening the Cardigan Road corridor. Work will be undertaken to look at possible tree planting, planters or hanging baskets along the bottom end of Cardigan Road.