Hi, we are the Southcourt Green Residents Group (SGRG), we are a group of people dedicated to preserving and enhancing the ecological, recreational, and social value of the green space situated between Southcourt Close and Drive in Leckhampton. We call this space "Southcourt Green".
The Green serves as a vital natural asset for our community, contributing significantly to the well-being of residents.
It has been recently designated as an Asset of Community Value. As one local resident put it:
"The Green Space is a place where neighbours meet and chat as they walk through the glade. And it has been a space for the community to come together for street parties to celebrate national events, like the Queen’s Jubilees and the Coronation of King Charles last May. In addition to the human use of this space it is home to abundant wildlife in the dense growth on the north side where there are slow worms, birds nesting in spring, hedgehogs and squirrels. Also, there are trees, approximately 20 of them, and their growth is valuable to the environment, cleaning the air and providing food and nesting sites for birds and animals."
However, there is a risk of the Green being developed for building, jeopardising the ecological balance and recreational opportunities it currently provides.
Our proposal
Our project seeks funding to purchase the land and establish a sustainable model for its maintenance and enhancement. This will secure Southcourt Green for future generations, safeguarding its ecological integrity and preserving its value as a community asset.
Funding Overview
The requested funding will cover
1) capital purchase cost & legal fees
2) initial conservation and enhancement measures including, where needed, tree/bush planting, installation of facilities, such as, a bench.
The successful acquisition of the land will have the following benefits:
Ensure Long-term Conservation: By owning the land, we can implement comprehensive conservation strategies to protect the natural habitat and biodiversity.
Enhance Recreational Opportunities: Establishing ownership will enable us to create and maintain recreational facilities, installing items such as benches, facilitating community interaction and well-being.
Strengthen Community Bonds: Through increased engagement and participation, for example, through community volunteering on conservation activities and community events, the project will strengthen the community's connection to the Green.
Promote Biodiversity: Our planned enhancements, such as tree planting, will attract diverse wildlife and other plant species, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the area.
Community Support: We have garnered widespread support from the local community, as evidenced by the numerous signatures of support for the designation of Southcourt Green as an Asset of Community Value.
About us
SGRG is enthusiastic about the opportunity to create a lasting impact on our community by securing the green space for future generations. We believe that with your support, we can successfully achieve our goals of conservation, accessible recreation, community engagement, and biodiversity enhancement.
We have set up a Community Interest Company to manage the funding and activity related to the Green. This Company has the sole purpose of preserving the Green in line with objectives set out above and ensures that any monies donated are solely used for that purpose.
Please help us - We are passionate about the Green, its value and preserving its long-term future. We hope you can help by donating to our cause.