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National Trust takes on care of land at
Formby Point
AN additional 204 hectares of land at
Lifeboat Road and Ravenmeols in Formby, home to rare wildlife, is now
safeguarded thanks to its formal transfer into the care of the National Trust.
The official transfer documents were signed today, seeing responsibility for its
guardianship pass from Sefton Council to the National Trust. As an independent
conservation charity, the Trust has already been caring for 210 hectares, at
Formby for the past 50 years.
The transfer means that the land is now protected forever for the enjoyment of
the people who love this special place and the benefit of the wildlife that
thrives here. Amongst the sand dunes and pine forests live Sand Lizards, Red
Squirrels, Northern Dune Tiger Beetles and Natterjack Toads.
Jo Hudson, General Manager for the National Trust, commented:- "The land
at Formby Point is absolutely exceptional, representing 1 of the very best
mobile sand dune habitats in the entire UK. Its significance is shown by much of
the land being designated as a Site of Scientific Interest, Special Area of
Conservation and Special Protection Area for birds. We are extremely proud to be
taking on the custodianship of this additional land and we cannot think of a
more wonderful way to mark the milestone of our 50 years working at Formby. We
have an excellent team of Rangers, staff and volunteers who are dedicated to
continuing our current hard work across this broader area. Our aim is to
continue to ensure that current and future generations can enjoy everything that
makes this place so exceptional."
Cllr Paul Cummins, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said:-
"Residents and visitors to the borough made strong representation through
the consultation process for the Sefton 2030 Vision for their desire to access
and enjoy all the benefits the Sefton coast has to offer.
We believe through the land transfer it will enable the National Trust to
develop a richer visitor experience with our local communities and secure the
future of this extraordinary coastline.
We see this as an amazing opportunity where National Trust can improve and
invest on this piece of land for the benefit of our communities, the many
visitors to our borough, the local economy and the environment. Working with the
National Trust has been very productive and we hope to continue this
relationship over the coming years in enhancing further this stretch of our
amazing coastline."
In addition to the day to day management of the portfolio at Formby Point, the
National Trust is also starting to look to the future and the next 50 years, at
Formby. Work has already started in talking to people about what they would like
to see in terms of improvements to access and visitor facilities as well as how
to help the rare wildlife to thrive. The Trust will continue to work closely
with neighbours, stakeholders and people who love this special place to shape up
these plans.
To find out more about how to get involved with future plans, including the
opportunity to chat to National Trust staff and volunteers about the care of the
Formby Coast, at Formby Library, on 23 September 2017. More information
can be found
online.
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