Chance to have say on plans for Chester Wetland Centre

A consultation is being held on Saturday, March 19 at the Countess of Chester Country Park to get people’s opinion on the proposed Chester Wetland Centre.

Following the launch of the project two years ago at the University of Chester, a grant from the Environment Agency (EA) allowed plans for the project to be created.

Partners in the project included the Land Trust, Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Environment Agency. Chester-based environmental consultancy firm Binnies has now put together the proposals that will be presented to the public.

Dr Christian Dunn and Andy Scargill, who came up with the original idea for the Chester Wetland Centre, will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions on the plans, which will see a series of wetland habitats created.

Mr Scargill, chair of the Friends of the Countess of Chester Country Park, said: “This is such an exciting project for the park and for Chester – it will be providing a fantastic facility for people to enjoy and for our wildlife to thrive in.

“We’re looking forward to talking through our plans with people that come along to the public consultation and seeing what ideas they come up with because this really is a community project.”

Dr Dunn, who is from Chester and is a wetland scientist at Bangor University, said: “It’s amazing to see the thoughts that Andy and I had – over a pint – coming together after so many years of planning.

“Wetlands are the most fabulous habitats and it’s going to be so good to bring the Chester Wetland Centre to the Countess Park – it’s going to be a jewel in the crown of Chester’s favourite country park!”

The public consultation starts at 10.30am on Saturday, March 19 at the Countess of Chester Country Park’s Friendly Bench. At the same time there will be a tree planting and wildflower seed sowing event as part of Chester Zoo’s Nature Recovery Project.

• For more information, email friends.coccp@gmail.com.