£100k grant for restoring Moray’s natural habitats

The Planning and Regulatory Services Committee approved plans for the Nature Restoration Fund award to be spent on Clovenside Cemetery’s rain garden, wildflower planting and biodiversity management at two sites.

Clovenside Cemetery in Forres was affected by flooding in recent years and £15,000 of this funding will be used to support budget already allocated to create a rain garden to alleviate the problem.

Following consultation with communities eight wildflower sites will be planted in Queen Street Orchard, Buckie; Mannachie Park and Clovenside Cemetery, Forres; Fiddich Park, Craigellachie; Provost Christie Drive, Rothes; Reiket Lane, Cooper Park and Moray Sports Centre, Elgin. £10,000 of funding from the Nature Restoration Fund has been allocated to kick start the three year wildflower planting programme.

A further £10,000 will be invested in enhancing outdoor learning opportunities and biodiversity projects in schools.

Finally, £66,000 will be split between Millbuies Country Park and The Wards wildlife site to manage the biodiversity in the areas and maximise community health and wellbeing opportunities.

Chair of the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee, Cllr David Bremner, said: “All of these projects had been previously identified as part of priority work programmes so allocating Moray’s award from the Nature Restoration Fund was a straightforward decision by the committee.

“Improvements to all these sites will create wonderful natural habitats and allow us to support the rich biodiversity that Moray is known for.”