28 hectares of green space in Chorlton will see biodiversity and tree-planting prioritised.
The Southern Cemetery, which spans the districts of Chorlton-cum-Hardy and West Didsbury, is the second largest municipal burial ground in Europe and the biggest in the UK. As part of the local authority’s commitment to supporting nature, the oldest part of this parkland, which opened in 1879, will now becoming the city’s 11th designated Local Nature Reserve.
Manchester City Council has selected the site due to its existing green assets, including mature birch tree-lined avenues, plane trees, flowerbeds and wild flowers. Designating this a reserve recognises the value of this wildlife and natural features, and improves community awareness about environments on their doorstep.
“Southern Cemetery is a flourishing and well-loved green space that rightly deserves its Local Nature Reserve status to go alongside the Green Flag it already has in recognition of how well-managed it is.”
‘Green spaces across our city have a vital role to play in our wellbeing and we are determined to support and celebrate biodiversity in these special places,’ said Cllr Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for the Environment. ‘Local Nature Reserves are selected because of their rich flora and fauna but also their strong Friends group which show how much they mean to the community.’
‘Southern Cemetery is a flourishing and well-loved green space that rightly deserves its Local Nature Reserve status to go alongside the Green Flag it already has in recognition of how well-managed it is,’ added Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods.
Image: Volodymyr Fedorychak / Unsplash
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