£4m environment boost for the Fens

The East of England Development Agency has provided a £4 million cash injection for local projects in the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Fens.

Money will be used to develop the farming and rural business economy in order to boost local communities and benefit the environment.

The types of projects which could be in line for a windfall include attempts to set up a local pub or shop, the development of high-quality local food products and the linking of wetland habitat sites at Wicken Fen, the Great Fen and the Ouse Washes with footpaths or cycle routes.

Commenting on the announcement, John Yates, chair of Cambridgeshire ACRE, said: "This is excellent news for all concerned and I am especially pleased that this funding will contribute to the economic, social and environmental well-being of the Fens’ communities in which we all live and work."

The award was made by the East of England Development Agency following a tender put together by Cambridgeshire ACRE and the Greater Cambridge Partnership for the Fens Adventurers Partnership Local Action Group.

The Fens largely encompasses the region around the Wash and lies in four counties - Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire.