Outdoor strategy to bring £31m to county

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Thursday, 11 October 2018 14:12

By Emily Lloyd - Local Democracy Reporter

A new strategy for Shropshire’s great outdoors could bring an extra £31 million to the county.

The 10-year plan aims to increase the county’s economic return by 25 per cent to £125m by developing greenspaces, rights of way, and other access across the county.

It will also improve the health of residents.

Clive Wright, whose report on the strategy will go before Cabinet next Wednesday, said: “Shropshire’s Great Outdoors Strategy 2018-28 will raise the profile of the exceptional outdoor assets that we have in Shropshire.

“[It will] identify gaps, clarify the opportunities to improve health, well-being and community cohesion, the local economy and the environment, and bring together partner organisations with similar goals, encouraging more coordinated, cost-effective approaches.

“It will not attempt to duplicate other plans and strategies but will link to them where appropriate.”

Other aims set out in the proposal include increasing the amount of accessible greenspace, providing visitor facilities at four sites across Shropshire, and increasing the number the users of the great outdoor website from 135,000 to 200,000.

The action plan also sets out the development of the ‘daily mile’ in primary schools and also providing routes on the council’s websites, events and talks, and better promotion of routes.

Mr Wright continued: “This strategy sets out to have a positive impact across the protected characteristic groupings, particularly the groupings for age, with regard to children, and disability, with regard to all ages and with regard to seen and unseen disabilities. This will itself then include older people, given the ageing demographic profile of the county.

“A positive impact is also anticipated for groupings including people with caring responsibilities, as well as those at risk of social exclusion.”

But it will require external funding to improve outdoor areas with the council already identifying sponsorship, donations, developer contributions and charities.

If approved it will be published later this month and be reviewed after five years.

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