Outdoors strategy which could bring £31m to county given green light
A strategy which could bring an extra £31 million to the county's great outdoors has been given the go ahead by council chiefs.
The Great Outdoors Strategy will raise the profile of the county's 'exceptional outdoor assets' while also improving the health of those who live in Shropshire.
A report by Shropshire Council's chief executive, Clive Wright, to cabinet yesterday(WED) unveiled plans to encourage commercial leisure businesses on the River Severn and the county's canals, to create a new family cycling hub on the Dudmaston Estate, extend visitor facilities at Severn Valley Country Park, and develop the Swan Hill Depot at Ellesmere's mere.
It stresses that the proposals are dependant on bringing in outside funding and grants and also working to encourage commercial ventures.
Councillor Lezley Picton, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, told cabinet members that Natural England's comments on the strategy were "very positive".
She said: "Income from the outdoors has grown from £118,000 to £500,000 this financial year.
"57 per cent of all Shropshire residents make regular use of the natural environment.
"Having access to the natural environment increases physical activity.
"I truly believe this is an excellent strategy."
Councillor Picton said that each Shropshire Council tax payer contributes £6.08 to the great outdoors budget, and the Government recently suggested it should be £30.
Councillor Roger Evans, the council's Lib Dem leader, congratulated Councillor Picton for the report.
He said: "It's good and it's something that's wanted."
But Councillor Evans did note that accessibility has fallen from 85 per cent to 66 per cent.
Outdoor activities already support 2,200 jobs in Shropshire and the 10-year plan aims to increase the county’s economic return by 25 per cent to £125m by developing green spaces, rights of way, and other access across the county.
The strategy wants to increase the number of people who use Shropshire's green spaces website from an estimated 135,000 to 200,000 a year and improve the amount of open access countryside and promoting exiting rights of way.
