AN area of wasteland in Birkenhead is going to be transformed into a community garden thanks to The Veolia Environmental Trust.

The Stronger Communities Initiative Assembly has been awarded a grant of nearly £20,000 to fund the creation of a tranquil community green space on a piece of land adjacent to 24 Bentinck Street.

SCIA had already secured funding to build allotments in the space, and this grant means that the second phase, which will include a wild flower garden, a community orchard, and skills training.

Trustee, Kath Schaugnessy, says, “This grant is great news. All residents in Birkenhead will have access to the community garden and will be able to benefit from it.

“It will be a space that local people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy and be proud of.”

The grant is one of 43 the trust has awarded to community and environmental projects in England, with a grant total being more than £980,000.

Grants are awarded through the Landfill Communities Fund and since more than £3m has been given to 61 projects in Merseyside.

Executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, said: “This project will transform this space into a real asset that the whole community can enjoy.

“We are seeing an ongoing reduction in the amount of funds that we can award, so the SCIA needs to be congratulated on securing this grant in an extremely competitive environment.”

The trust is now in talks with the SCIA to finalise the project’s detail, including a start date for work to begin.