Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure are delighted to announce the award of £45,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation for our major project to restore Hainault Forest.
The grant is crucial to achieving our project aims, together with funding from The National Heritage Lottery Fund, the Greater London Authority Mayor’s Fund and Redbridge Council, the project will see a total investment of over £7 million. This is the most significant investment in the Forest for over fifty years and will ensure the long term sustainability of the site for future generations.
Our project provides urgently needed intervention to safeguard Hainault Forest’s unique habitats; protecting and enhancing 800 acres of ancient woodland, including 300 acres of SSSI. This grant will contribute to capital improvements that will transform the visitor experience. These improvements will support a significant increase in audience reach, enable better accessibility, and ensure that this exceptional site is equipped to provide benefits of wellbeing, engagement with nature, and learning to communities who are most in need. This is more essential than ever as we recover from the impact of Covid-19, and continue to face the very real threats of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Works will begin on site later this month and are expected to complete by autumn 2022.
Vision RCL are working closely with Redbridge Council and the Woodland Trust in a new partnership arrangement to deliver the restoration project and forge links across the wider Forest for the benefit of visitors, nature and ecology.
Martin Solder – Chair of Trustees for Vision said:
‘I am delighted that the Garfield Weston Foundation have awarded this grant to support the restoration of Hainault Forest. Our green spaces have been critical to the health and well-being of us all recently and with this support we can continue to provide amazing opportunities for future generations.’
Cllr Rai – Deputy Leader, Redbridge Council said:
‘I am really pleased to see Vision have secured further funding for the exciting project at Hainault Forest from Garfield Weston Foundation. Redbridge Council, Vision – Redbridge, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and GLA are investing to create a great destination for residents that will complement the biodiversity at Hainault Forest Country Park.’
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