Fellfoot Forward Scheme receives National Lottery Heritage Funding

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership has been awarded over £2million of National Lottery Heritage funding.  This is to support the £3.4million Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme.  This is a major project that will conserve, enhance and celebrate natural and cultural heritage.

The scheme focuses on the fellside and valley landscapes between Hallbankgate and Melmerby. The area covered by the project includes a large section of the Cumbrian part of the North Pennines AONB, and parts of Eden and Carlisle districts. It brings in the villages and settlements of the lowland area, to the east of the River Eden. It will bring together management and restoration of habitats such as woodland, peatland and grasslands, with community archaeology, conservation of historic buildings, community arts and education.

Eden District Council is a partner in the scheme with other partners including Carlisle City Council, Eden Rivers Trust, Historic England, Natural England, the RSPB, The Environment Agency, Cumbria County Council, The Farmer Network and Cumbria Action for Sustainability.

EDC’s Tourism team will be jointly delivering the “Fellfoot Welcome” elements of the scheme alongside the NPAONB Partnership and Carlisle City Council. There are a number of other tourism related elements which focus on sustainable activities such as walking, cycling and dark skies initiatives. We will keep you updated on the details of the projects as the delivery phase gets underway.

Scheme manager, Fiona Knox, said: “We’ve worked with local communities and our partner organisations throughout the development of this project and we’re looking forward to continuing this when we start work on the ground. There will be a strong emphasis on community-led activity and public participation throughout Fellfoot Forward.

By the time the scheme ends in 2024, we will have a more resilient landscape, where vibrant communities are better equipped to protect and celebrate their own particular Eden. We’d like to thank National Lottery players who have made this project possible.”

Early activity will start in February, with a team in place in the Spring. To get involved with the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme contact Emma Wright or Fiona Knox at the North Pennines AONB Partnership.  Telephone  on 01388 528801 or email fionak@northpenninesaonb.org.uk or ewright@northpenninesaonb.org.uk  

For more information about the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership scheme visit the North Pennines website.