What does the Scheme involve?
The Habitats and Hillforts of Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme has brought together public, private and voluntary interests to better conserve and interpret the chain of historically important hill top Iron Age forts that lines Cheshire's Sandstone Ridge.
Objectives
The Scheme has the following strategic objectives:
- Conserving the hillforts and any associated features in the vicinity
- Restoring and increasing natural habitats in the vicinity of the forts, as these are areas of countryside that would be visited by people and the landscape setting could benefit from increasing areas for wildlife
- Making the hillforts more accessible by improving footpath access where appropriate and linking them to the Sandstone Trail
- Interpreting the historical landscape and the natural habitats and the management work being carried out to enhance them
- Involving the local communities surrounding the hillforts as well as a wider area
- Providing appropriate volunteering and training opportunities
Leaflet download
Programmes
The Scheme has four inter-related programmes of work:
1. Habitats of the Ridge (Habitat restoration and conservation – as both an ecological and landscape enhancement measure).
2. Hillforts of the Ridge (Investigation and consolidation work on the hillfort sites, including any adjacent historical features of significance).
3. Access and Interpretation (Access improvements and associated interpretation and education in the hillfort areas and linking the hillforts to the Sandstone Trail).
4. Training and Volunteers (A related training, education and volunteer programme).
Projects
Forty five activities (projects) spread across the four programmes will take place in Year 1. Specifications have been prepared where possible. For practical work on the ground, “in principle” landowner support has been obtained. This will be secured through “Third-party” Funding and Management Agreements that will guarantee the works and their long-term maintenance over a minimum ten year period.
Considerable detail has also been provided for a further 24 identified activities that will take place in Years 2 & 3.
Outputs
The Scheme will result in a wide range of physical improvements to the heritage of one of Cheshire’s most special landscapes, and enhance the public’s appreciation and enjoyment of it:
The Scheme will deliver a wide range of outputs over its three years including:
- Archaeological investigation and management of 6 Iron Age hill forts
- 40 hectares of new/restored habitats
- 1300 metres of restored hedgerows
- 700 metres of sandstone walls restored
- 700 metres of footpath improvements
- 4.1 kms of permissive access
- A range of promotional material, including booklets, leaflets, and on-site interpretational panels
- A dedicated “Habitats & Hill forts” website
- A range of events & activities including a guided walk programme, reminiscence workshop and community workshop
- Over 350 training and education days
The main beneficiaries will be the people, landowners, communities and visitors to the Ridge. They will benefit from an improved and more accessible heritage resource, a more sustainable rural economy brought about through an improved climate for inward investment and enhanced local employment opportunities with a more skilled workforce.