Habitat Cheltenham is a project that started in 2018, with the aim to create a network of biodiversity improvements across Cheltenham’s town centre. With match-funding support from the European Regional Development Fund, £900,000 has been invested to improve habitat and biodiversity across 14 sites in Cheltenham.
In order to make and measure these improvements, the project has focused on providing for pollinators, and in particular, solitary bee species. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust have assisted the project by monitoring these species and the improvements. Meadow creation, tree planting, community orchard creation, pocket parks, rain gardens, perennial planting and bulb planting are some of the improvements made.
Habitat Cheltenham is part of Cheltenham Borough Council’s commitment to:
- The climate emergency
- The Gloucestershire Green Infrastructure Pledge
- Our corporate plan
- Recent findings in the independent resident satisfaction survey that 86% of respondents support increasing biodiversity in Cheltenham’s green spaces and to use more plants that support pollinating insects.
The map below highlights the areas of focus for Habitat Cheltenham. The first site to be completed was the two raised beds on the High Street and the project has now completed with all sites having received biodiversity enhancement, creating improved habitat and connectivity across the town.
