SEVERAL communities across East Lancashire are looking forward to a Green new millennium.

Withnell Fold, Lumb, Hoddlesden and Waterside at Colne are among 250 places nationwide developing Millennium Greens - areas of open space for local people to enjoy.

The project was devised by the Countryside Agency and the Millennium Commission and is being supported by a £20million fund.

Work on the East Lancashire schemes is at varying stages. When the greens are complete, they will provide a 'breathing space' for future generations to enjoy. Trusts have been set up to oversee each project which will feature special artwork to commemorate the Millennium.

In Withnell Fold, a 0.79 hectare site in the centre of the village is being developed. Local people first got together to discuss what the area could be used for in 1997.

Kerry Jones, chairman of the Withnell Fold Millennium Green Trust, said: "The site was a piece of waste ground being used as a dump and various people had washing lines on it.

"We wanted to leave it as natural as we possibly could but it needed tidying and draining because it was very boggy."

The aim is to make the site like a walk through the woods with a clearing with seating. Access will be improved and there will be a village orchard.

The practical work, overseen by Groundwork Wigan and Chorley, started in October. The site has been drained and volunteers worked together to tidy the area and cut back brambles.

Kerry said: "Everyone has been really supportive. The villagers with washing lines on the site are prepared for them to go so that everyone will have access." The project has cost around £30,000. A grant of £15,000 was given by the Millennium Greens scheme and a further £13,000 was donated by Biffa. Chorley Council and Lancashire County Council have also made donations.

Villagers in Lumb and Water were spurred into action when planning consent was given for a garden nursery on a 0.9 hectare site between the two villages. They put forward the alternative proposal of turning the site into a Millennium Green and were thrilled when it was accepted.

Chairman of the trust Brian Haslam said: "It was just unused land. There used to be a mill adjacent to it and we think it was part of a playing green and possibly a lodge which belonged to the mill. Over the years it had fallen into disrepair."

During the past year a pond has been established, with a dipping platform for local schools to use, and pathways put in. An area has been drained to make a meeting area where children can play and a picnic site will be added.

A path is being put in to a vantage point from which it is possible to survey the whole site. The plan is to officially open the green next May.

Brian said the local community had been very supportive of the project in terms of raising money but a commitment from people was needed in terms of physical work.

"We are reaching the point where we will be planting bulbs and seeds and need the community to get involved. We understand that not everyone has the time but we have to look after this site for a long time and are going to need assistance."

The idea for a Millennium Green in Waterside, Colne, was developed after a plan to extend the M65 through the area into Yorkshire was dropped. Trust chairman David Rose said: "There are a lot of terraced houses here with virtually no gardens and nowhere for the children, or indeed the adults, to go. The green will also become something of a haven for wildlife and wild flowers."

The green could be used to host entertainment events. The natural amphitheatre is being developed with a view to staging concerts.

David said the response from local people had been very positive. "We haven't had one word of criticism. Generally everyone likes the idea," he said.

"Waterside is technically a deprived ward and anything which can contribute to community regeneration has got to be a good thing."

The green at Hoddlesden is at a much earlier stage of development but the organisers have big plans.

The trust has only recently secured charitable status, and is working hard to raise money to match the £42,000 pledged by the Countryside Agency.

The site of the green is the old pipe works at Queen Street. Trust press officer Colin Queen said: "It was landscaped in the 1970s and popular with dog owners and horse riders. But it became overgrown and prone to flooding so we decided to do something about it."

Anyone interested in helping the Millennium Green projects should contact Gareth Lawler or Mara Vasic at the Countryside Agency on 0161 237 0161.

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