Lewes District Council

Green Flags For Nature Sites

Group celebrating Castle Hill's Green Flad award We are delighted to announce two prestigious Green Flags have been awarded to nature sites within the district.

Newhaven Castle Hill Local Nature Reserve receives the award for the first time, with Lewes Railway Land Local Nature Reserve achieving the standard for the second year running.

The sites are owned and managed by Lewes District Council who work in partnership with local volunteer community groups; the Castle Hill Conservation Group and the Railway Land Wildlife Trust respectively.

The awarding of Green Flags recognises the high standard of management at these important urban fringe nature reserves. Sites are judged against a number of criteria including being a welcoming place; healthy safe and secure; clean and well maintained; sustainability; conservation and heritage; community involvement; marketing and management.

Lewes District Council’s Lead Member for Communities, James MacCleary said: “Green spaces are precious. This council works closely with the community to protect and improve our environment. Both of these areas are fully deserving of awards like this and I’m sure there’ll be more to come. I encourage anyone who hasn’t had a chance to visit the Railway Land, or Castle Hill to do so as they’re both well worth a visit.”

Community Ranger, Dan Ross, the officer responsible for the sites’ management said: “I am delighted by our success in achieving this award. We work very hard to maintain and improve these sites. I would like to pay tribute to all the volunteers who help support our work both onsite and behind the scenes. These sites represent valuable green spaces within the urban environment, and facilitating public access to places where biodiversity thrives is something we are very proud of”.

This year has seen the highest number of awards handed out – a record 1200 Green Flags and Green Pennants across the UK compared to 1,013 in 2009.

Graham Amy, Mayor of Newhaven and Chairman of the Castle Hill Group said: "The Castle Hill Group are delighted to have been awarded the Green Flag to add to the Respect award and the Queens Golden Jubilee Award we won previously. However, none of these honours would have been possible without the assistance and commitment of Lewes District Council and the other groups working at the site".

Cllr Steve Saunders, Vice Chair of Lewes District Council said: "Having been born and bred in Newhaven and enjoyed playing in the Castle Hill and Fort area in my youth, I am particularly pleased to see the area has been recognised in this way. I congratulate the hard work of Dan Ross and the volunteers of the Castle Hill Group which has been quite rightly rewarded. I hope that this helps to attract more visitors to the area to enjoy everything that it has to offer. Immersing themselves in the spectacular views, the rich abundance of flora and fauna and historical significance of the site over the last two centuries".

Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.

Paul Todd, Manager of the Green Flag Award Scheme, said: “It’s a remarkable achievement that so many parks have successfully reached Green Flag Award status this year. The staff running the parks work very hard throughout the year to ensure their facilities are maintained to a high standard and enjoyed by the entire community. As the recession bites and people look closer to home to enjoy the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, free open spaces are of particular importance”.

Photo caption (l-r): Cllr Steve Saunders, Vice Chair, Lewes District Council; Jill Allen, Secretary, Castle Hill Group; Dan Ross, Community Ranger, Lewes District Council; Graham Amy, Chair, Castle Hill Group; Bob Allen, Castle Hill Group.

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Green Flags For Nature Sites