Parish Nature Recovery
Parish Nature Recovery Plans
Promoting Nature Recovery Plans for parishes and other groups was one of the key aims of the Building the Links for Rockingham Forest project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Initially the project team engaged with 22 Parishes and Friends’ groups. Of these, 12 groups decided to develop Nature Recovery Plans with support from the project partners. Lower down on this page you can read reports of some of the progress that has already begun.​​
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What is a Parish Nature Recovery Plan?
A medium-term plan developed, created, and implemented by the local community for the benefit of both nature and people in an area (not necessarily a parish). It is a plan that looks at current green spaces and how they can be improved, encouraging the exploration of other opportunities for nature recovery in creative ways that work for a community.
Every Parish Nature Recovery Plan is unique but there is a detailed guide, which serves as a reference, whether you are looking for help with short term aims or have longer term aspirations.
Cottingham
Since 2021 the village has has a very active group, the Friends of Green Spaces (or FRoGs!) who have been undertaking practical activities to preserve, safeguard and improve the village’s green spaces, A draft Parish Nature Recovery Plan and map has been produced and early in 2024 they were awarded funds from our Community Grant Scheme. This helped to transform a previously neglected green space adjacent to the large community area known as the Dale. You can read more about this "Bide a-while" project in George West-Robinson' blog article here.
​There are plans for a Community Orchard too.
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The group will be showing us some of their achievements during a free guided walk on Tuesday 11th March. Please book your place here
Oundle
The Oundle community's plan is being developed by a group of residents but with the support of the Town Council, the Fletton Field Association, Transition Oundle, the Oundle Churchyard Group and by Oundle School - by far the largest landowner in the town.
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They have identified a natural corridor, stretching from outside the town boundary on the western side all the way to the river on the eastern side. It comprises a range of rich habitats including grassland, hedgerow, woodland, orchard, wild meadow as well as the river itself.
You can read more in articles by Clive Humphries and Hilary Hoyles, both members of the core group.
Easton on the Hill
Easton got off to a flying start with their PNRP and quickly established a planning group, made up of the Trees and Green Committee of the Parish Council and well supported by the Parish Chair.
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In March 2024 people from the village took part in a tree planting day on the recreation ground and planted over 13o trees. You can read more about it here.
Gretton
Here the group have completed a draft plan together with a map. They are keen create a community orchard and also a heritage walk through the village.
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In 2024 the Parish Council successfully applied for one of our community grants to help them restore Pick's Green, a public space that had become neglected. You can read more about it here.
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Reports from other groups and parishes coming soon!