AN ACTION plan to create a new image and perception of industrial Stanlow has been applauded at a national awards ceremony.
The Stanlow New Vision report, which aims to attract new investment to the area, was commended in the Local Landscape Planning category at the Landscape Institute Awards ceremony in London.
Geographer and BBC journalist Nicolas Crane hosted the awards, which showcased the industry’s most innovative and successful schemes.
The North West Development Agency gave environmental charity Groundwork Merseyside the brief of providing a holistic and co-ordinated environmental strategy, aimed at destroying the idea polluting petrochemicals dominated the area.
It also aimed to challenge and raise expectations of environmental quality and ultimately encourage economic growth. This included highlighting opportunities to encourage biodiversity and protecting existing habitats.
The project also hopes to work with local businesses to improve their environmental performance, again challenging perceptions the area is a home for dirty and environmentally unsustainable industry.
A £250,000 gateway scheme at Junction 9 of the M53 has just been completed out of the strategy.
Landscape Institute president Neil Williamson said: “The team had the vision to go beyond their initial brief and found an innovative and creative way of challenging perceptions of the industrial landscape by coming up with a high quality framework. The project has clear benefits and significance for both the public and the environment.”
The awards are presented to encourage and recognise outstanding examples of work by the landscape profession and aim to bring greater awareness of the best contributions from Landscape Institute members in creating an improved environment.
The awards aim to promote the art and science of landscape architecture, advance the knowledge and understanding of the discipline and to celebrate professional expertise.
