An introduction to Cliff Gardens: a dedication to Diana Windley
A couple of years ago some neighbours got together for a meal, and had a brainwave. What if Cliff Gardens, the unmade road near Splash point, was not a scruffy rough track, which then had a problem with unofficial parking of caravans and other live-in vehicles, but was instead developed into a garden with multi-use path for bikes/pedestrians and wheelchairs? Everyone we suggested this too, was enthusiastic! We were not sure if it were even possible, but managed to get a local architect to come up with a fantastic suggested design for a garden, and local printers to print them onto large display boards. Our vision was to transform the unmade road into a beautiful garden with seating areas and a multi-use educational trail, connecting to the beach with a ‘share with care’ path to encourage walking and cycling. The road is already a main cycle route, and runs close to Natural England’s long-distance coast path, making it an ideal position to have information about Seaford, cliff erosion and safety, and the flora and wildlife that can be seen. Ideally the garden should also improve diversity in the valuable wildflower corridor that includes the Martello fields. From then on, we proceeded to liaise with Seaford Town council, neighbours, community groups and the public, to see if we could progress this idea. This was a very ambitious plan! What was needed next, was some time (and money) for a proper feasibility study, before the idea could be presented to the residents of Seaford for feedback, design options considered and funding sourced.
For various reasons, the project idea was put on hold. Very sadly our neighbours Diana and Colin Windley died this year. Diana was undoubtedly the main energy and enthusiasm behind the project, spending much of her time tirelessly promoting the project and working behind the scenes.
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Meanwhile, Seaford Community Partnership (SCP) had been working hard on behalf of Seaford, as part of a National Lottery bid known as Ouse Valley CARES (climate action, resilient ecosystems, sustainability). What fantastic news to hear that the project development grant was recently awarded for five projects in Seaford, including Cliff Gardens. This funding should enable the group to do a full feasibility study, and further community engagement. The full bid is ultimately to exceed £2 million towards projects in the area. This is a fantastic example of a ground up, community initiative, by people passionate about protecting and developing the precious green spaces we enjoy using. This year during the lockdowns, so many people have found solace, exercise, the joy of the natural world and peace in their precious local parks, and wild spaces. We can all have a role in caring for these spaces, which are so valuable for both local people and visitors to the town, while helping pollinators and other wildlife, and doing our bit for the environment. Ideally the garden will be part of a wider vision, improving the whole area including the Seafront and cliffs and Martello fields. If you think you can help this project, please do get in touch with SCP who now need enthusiastic committee members with experience including local planning, project management, secretarial skills, fundraising and publicity. Alternatively if you would like to be kept up to date on progress, we can add you to the mailing list. As part of the lottery funding, SCP is also delivering a project to set up a ‘Friends’ group for each local green space identified in the Seaford Neighbourhood Plan, so if you have been inspired to help protect and improve your local spaces, do get in touch! seafordpartners@gmail.com Images: the site as it is currently and a landscape design impression of the completed project.
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