Plans by Amber Valley Borough Council, in partnership with the Crays Hill Park Community Project, to breathe new life into Crays Hill Recreation Ground near Swanwick get underway this month.

The land, which has formerly been used as a colliery yard, storage facility and landfill site for domestic waste, is currently publicly accessible open space. But now restoration work is due to begin in the next few weeks to develop the site into a multi-use recreational area that will benefit the local community.

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During 2007 the Borough Council and Crays Hill Park Community Project carried out public consultation to find out what local residents would like to see happen with the site. The feedback clearly showed that a wildlife area and a sporting facility were the top priorities.

Sharon Thomas, Landscape Development Manager, said: "The partnership with the volunteers at Crays Hill Park Community Project has worked well to drive these improvements forward. The wildflower meadow and cricket pitch have been long awaited by local residents; I'm sure they will be pleased with these proposals, as I know we are."

Phase 1 of the restoration work will see the installation of a cricket facility and a wildlife area. Both are due to be completed by spring 2009, although the cricket facility won't be in use until 2010 to allow time for the cricket square to settle.

(CD/JM)