What a bit of togetherness can achieve

THIS is a story of what can be achieved when two councils, a landowner, the Environment Agency and a group of residents get together.
It concerns a small strip of land between Chadwick Avenue and Willow Drive, in Stockton Heath.
The land is bare, bereft of trees and something of an eyesore.
Even Lumb Brook, which flows through it and in other areas is an attractive stream, is made to resemble a deep drainage ditch.
For some time, attempts have been made to win permission to plant a row of trees on the land, but because of the complexity of who is responsible for funding and maintaining the project, no progress has been made.
But now a solution has been found and the area is about to get a facelift.
A group of residents have promised to find the finance to buy saplings to line the area and to maintain them for the first five years of their growth.
Golden Gates Housing Trust, who own the land, have given their blessing to the project, subject to certain assurances from Stockton Heath Parish Council.
The parish council has promised a grant of £200 towards the purchase of the trees and has agreed to the project going ahead on condition that the residents first come up with the rest of the money needed to fund the plan.
The Environment Agency has added its blessing and Warrington Borough Council has agreed to plant the trees at no charge to the parish.
Cllr Tudor Pole, of Stockton Heath Parish Council, said: “It’s a very happy ending to the story, as long as the residents can keep their side of the bargain and find the funding to get the plan off the ground.
“How do they plan to find the approximate £750 they will need?
“They plan to hold fund raising events such as car boot sales and raffles until the target is reached.”
Picture: Cllr Pole at the site.