News on HS2 in Solihull

Community groups in North Solihull are set to benefit from a grant for the Meriden Ark Project (MAP) .

The initiative will support users of Meriden Park and Meriden Adventure Playground to design and create at least four sustainable wildlife havens in their local park and surrounding area via a programme of learner-led, play-practitioner, and artist-practitioner activities.

Four local community groups (The B37 Project, Meriden Adventure Playground, Tribal Community Rangers and Forest School Adventures) have come together to secure the funding with a successful application to the Community and Environment Fund (CEF).

The programme will establish a community plant nursery and provide local engagement opportunities, including field trips for local children. Youngsters involved in the project will be encouraged to make informed decisions though play to create wildlife havens, learn how ecosystems work, discover what sort of wildlife is attracted to different types of habitat and how these can be improved. This might include planting native woodland bulbs and other woodland flora to enhance habitats, establishing a native hedgerow, signposting nature trails or installing bat/bird boxes.

All the community groups involved in the initiative have collective experience in delivering local play projects, forest school, art and wildlife appreciation. The groups work together to nurture greater community cohesion, enjoyment and stewardship of green space and wildlife, especially at a young age.

Community and Business Funds

Our Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.

The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ .You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.

If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .