A project in the mossland area straddling the boundaries of Salford, Warrington and Wigan is aiming for a long-term partnership vision for its future.

Mosslands project

Natural England is supporting a project which aims to develop a vision, or masterplan, to show the "best fit" of different land uses across an area of roughly 6,600 hectares between Warrington, Wigan and Salford.

The mosslands area contains internationally important habitat for nature conservation: the Manchester Mosses Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated for its lowland raised bog habitat.   The largest single block of woodland in Greater Manchester is also found here.   The mossland landscape and sense of tranquil remoteness are in sharp contrast to its close proximity to the bordering urban areas.

The area is threatened by increasingly fragmented land use, often with conflicts between different land uses and users particularly relating to water levels and drainage.   If no coordinated action is taken, the fragmentation is likely to continue, reducing the area's potential for a whole range of land uses and opportunities for local communities.

The mosslands project, being steered by a new Mosslands Action Group, aims to bring together stakeholders - public agencies, the private and voluntary sector, as well as local residents and landowners - to plan more effectively for the area's future.   The project will consider how to support a viable agricultural sector, good environmental management and nature conservation, and opportunities for leisure and public enjoyment.

Maslen Environmental Consultants Ltd are leading the first phase of the project, to develop a report and draft vision to use as the basis for wider consultation to inform planning and funding priorities.   The Red Rose Forest team are acting as the secretariat for the Group.  For more information, contact Andy Long at Red Rose Forest, andyl@redroseforest.co.uk, tel 0161 872 1660.