How to be a part of new woodland idea

Kristie Naimo and Rick Smith, who both used to work for environmental charity Action 21, now run Achieving Results in Communities community interest group (ARC CIC), which is taking on the task of converting 3.5 hectares of derelict land at the former Ford Foundry site into a space of natural wilderness.

Trilogy Developments, which is managing the development of the overall foundry site, wanted to create a sustainable venture out of the triangular-shaped land, which is between Princes Drive, Park Drive and the railway track.

Ms Naimo said: “We want to see what the public want to get out of it. We could plant fruit trees and raised beds and create play areas and a site for youth activities.

“There are already some trees, but it’s a derelict site so quite a bit of work needs to be done.

“First we need help with coming up with a name for the site, and then we are looking at setting up a ‘Friends of’ group. It’s a really good space but people don’t know it’s there.”

ARC CIC is inviting people to enter a competition to name the ‘green triangle’ - and the team are also hoping for good turn-outs at their consultation evenings.

The first of these takes place at the Brunswick Healthy Living Centre in Shrubland Street on Tuesday at 7pm, while further events are on at the town hall on March 8 and at Bath Place Community Venture in Avenue Road on March 14.

People can also fill in an online survey about the site.

To find out more, email [email protected] and to enter the competition or complete the survey, go online.