£2.6m National Lottery support awarded to new ‘Sheffield Lakeland’ Landscape Partnership

[lead]Sheffield Lakeland Landscape Partnership – an exciting initiative led by Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust – has been awarded £2.6 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of a £3.4 million package of partnership projects conserving and celebrating the natural, built and cultural heritage of north-west Sheffield.[/lead]

Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, Sheffield Lakeland Landscape Partnership will deliver 20 brand new projects over the next four years, each contributing to its vision of “a more natural and resilient landscape for everyone to enjoy and feel part of.” The Partnership has adopted the name Sheffield Lakeland to reflect the fondness with which the area’s reservoirs, from Langsett in the north to Redmires in the south, are regarded and in reference to the Sheffield Lakeland bus tours which visited the area from 1950s -1970s.

Examples of projects include:

• Restoring habitat for barn owls, water voles and other threatened wildlife species
• Supporting farmers and landowners to work together to protect the special landscape character of north west Sheffield
• Helping local communities enjoy responsible access to the countryside
• Celebrating the cultural heritage of the Sheffield Lakeland area through stories, music and art in the landscape.

The Partnership, which includes Yorkshire Water, Sheffield City Council, Bradfield Parish Council, Stocksbridge Town Council, Natural England and the Environment Agency, South Yorkshire Archaeology Service and Sheffield United Community Foundation and has the support of landowners and local groups, will create or support 17 jobs, in addition to a programme of countryside volunteering and training opportunities.

Commenting on the award, Liz Ballard, CEO of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust said: “Sheffield Lakeland is a much loved landscape, with a rich cultural heritage as well as internationally important wildlife habitats, but