North East Lincolnshire Council receives £250,000 for Cleethorpes coastline preservation project aimed at protecting natural heritage
Cleethorpes: The National Lottery Heritage Fund just dropped a cool £250,000 on North East Lincolnshire Council. This cash is all about protecting the coastline’s natural beauty.
Since 2019, the lottery has pumped £10 million into the area, focusing on heritage projects. The new grant will kick off a project called DUNE, which aims to save and protect the fragile coastline.
They’ll be looking closely at the saltmarsh and sand dunes, especially the special scientific interest areas. It’s all about keeping these ecosystems safe and sound.
Conservative Cllr Henry Hudson is pretty excited about this. He said it’s fantastic news for Cleethorpes and that preserving the SSSI is crucial for the local ecosystem. He believes this investment will lay a solid foundation for future natural development.
Hudson also mentioned that gathering important info and working with the community will help everyone understand the environment better. Plus, it’ll encourage folks to enjoy other open spaces in the area.
From 2019 to 2024, North East Lincolnshire was a focus area for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which means they got special support for funding projects. Over 30 grants have been awarded during this time.
Some cool projects include a £9,999 grant to help young people from underserved backgrounds learn about the history of fish and chips in Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Another project got £3.5 million to restore historic buildings and create a training hub.
Helen Featherstone, the North England director at the Heritage Fund, believes heritage can create lasting positive change. She’s thrilled that the DUNE project is part of a bigger investment plan for the area.
The DUNE project will also focus on building skills to maintain the coastline. They’ll hire a research and engagement advisor to boost knowledge and community relations, plus a coastal ranger to protect sensitive areas.
Featherstone added that working with the council has helped them understand the long-term heritage goals for the area. North East Lincolnshire is a priority for the Heritage Fund, which aims to support local heritage for years to come.
The funding for DUNE comes from the Heritage Places initiative, which has earmarked £200 million for 20 areas across the country by 2033. Cleethorpes is one of the nine areas already announced.
