A charity which is planning to build a new hospice says it wants to enhance the space for local people and wildlife.
The charity is hoping to create a New Fair Havens Hospice in response to the growing need for its specialist – and free – nursing care for those living with serious illnesses such as cancer.
The preferred piece of land is on the Green Belt and the Charity is inviting local people to look at the way it has successfully worked in partnership with the Essex Wildlife Trust to be good stewards of such land, enhance its importance to local wildlife and increase its enjoyment for local people. Little Havens, Fair Havens sister hospice, also sits on the Green Belt. The 120 acre plot, which is off Daws Heath Road in Thundersley, was originally owned by British Airways and purchased by the Charity back in the 1990s. The hospice and its gardens reside in eight acres. The rest was then leased to the Essex Wildlife Trust to maintain and enhance it on the charity’s behalf.
Since the children’s hospice opened back in 1998, much hard work has gone into transforming the vast muddy fields into a haven for wildlife and visitors alike. In fact, many species of insects and flora have been introduced to the area, including the Heath Fritillary butterfly which is rare in England and trailing St.John’s Wort which is uncommon in Essex.
Little Haven Nature Reserve Warden Stephen Grimshaw says, “Over the last 13 years, Havens Hospices and the Essex Wildlife Trust have worked in close partnership to manage the Little Haven Nature Reserve for the benefit of the wildlife and the local community."
The traditional practice of coppicing has been reinstated in the woodland at Little Haven. About one acre is cut each year, which quickly grows back and makes a more diverse habitat for plants, birds and insects. The meadows are also managed in a traditional way, by hay cutting and grazing.
“The area can be accessed at all times of the year and is now popular with ramblers, joggers, cyclists and people walking their dogs – many more than would have otherwise if that land had been left to its natural state.”
Andy Smith, Chief Executive of Havens Hospices says, “Some of the concerns from our “Come and See” Sessions have been regarding the wildlife at Belton Way. We are currently carrying out reptile, environment and wildlife surveys and we hope to share details of these soon. But hopefully by showing people what we have been able to achieve at Little Havens as responsible custodians of public space, it may alleviate some of the questions raised regarding Belton Way.”
Should the charity be granted planning permission at Belton Way, it has already promised to honour and enhance the public footpath running through the site, reinstate and add to the trees and bushes along the hills and plant over three acres of wild flower meadows – according to the Essex Wildlife Trust, Essex has lost over 90% of its wild flower meadows.
Andy continues, “Some people have also asked us why we are not using the space at Little Havens and there are a number of reasons that this wasn’t our number one preferred site. Little Havens less well placed to provide the breadth of services for New Fair Havens as it is very much at the westerly boundary of the patients and families who would be using the service. Also the transport facilities are not as good without a local train service, very limited bus service and distances to travel for the majority of all our patients and families. Little Havens is also a greenbelt site.”
Please visit the new Fair Havens image gallery to see images of the land at Little Havens, look at the proposed plans, artist’s impressions and contact us with your thoughts and comments.
