THE 15-year battle to save Upton Meadow has finally been won!

Residents, co-ordinated by Friends of Upton Meadow, have fought a long campaign to protect the ancient meadowland from development.

After lengthy negotiations, the council has granted a 99-year lease to national charity The Woodland Trust.

Now the Trust proposes to have a consultative period where residents will be able to attend meetings, open days and guided walks around the site. And a major questionnaire campaign will allow local people to say what they want for Upton Meadow's future

Tree planting will start in the Autumn and will include a new area of woodland - which local people will have a chance to name - sponsored by the Millennium Fund's Woods on your Doorstep scheme. Eventually, it is hoped to upgrade Upton Meadow to the status of local nature reserve and/or site of biological importance, making it a haven for wildlife and Wirral folk alike.

Friends Secretary Denis Evans says: "The Friends approached The Woodland Trust some years ago and they agreed in general principle to take over the site if the Council could be persuaded to grant them a long lease. Meanwhile, 14 acres of the site were lost when they were sold to Sainsbury's, despite a huge local campaign against the proposition. At the time, local councillors promised that the remaining 36 acres would be kept as 'open space' in the Unitary Development Plan, and protracted negotiations have finally borne fruit.

"The substantial improvement plan will include the planting of many thousands of trees and bushes; the existing flora and fauna will be extended; new ponds and pathways will be created and gateways and benches will be installed. It is hoped that all this will be completed by the year-end and thereafter The Friends of Upton Meadow will be involved with the day-to-day maintenance.

"It is our hope that, after all our efforts, more and more people of all age groups will come to enjoy the Meadow," says Mr Evans.

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