Horsea Island Country park plans move a step closer
Country park plans move a step closer Plans to create a country park in the north-west of Portsmouth moved a step closer as the details of the landscape plans have been agreed. Portsmouth City Council has approved the plans from Veolia, the company that operated the landfill site on Horsea Island and has responsibility for implementing the landscape proposals which include tree planting, grass areas, wildflower meadows, footpaths and cycle routes. It is hoped Veolia will commence the planting works in the next planting season this autumn, with the country park opening upon the establishment of the meadows and trees. The finished site will offer visitors 52 hectares (128 acres) of public open space – the equivalent size to 86 football pitches. It is also one of 60 diamond woods being created across the UK as part of the Woodland Trust’s on-going project to mark the Queen’s 60th jubilee, with the planting of 50,000 trees and shrubs. Cllr Linda Symes, Portsmouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Sport, said: “It is great news that plans for the country park have taken this step forward. The former rubbish tip will be transformed and when the country park is completed it will be a fantastic facility for the people of Portsmouth.
