Cramlington Town Council’s Community and Youth Team and local Councillor Mark Swinburn are in the process of setting up a Friends of Doddington Wood group.

The aim of the group is to preserve, enhance and promote Doddington Wood  as a natural woodland for the benefit of local people and wildlife.

The area of land, which is situated between Dudley Lane and Doddington Drive, has previously suffered from anti-social behaviour and been used as an illegal dumping ground.

Councillor Swinburn said “I am delighted to be able to support this initiative to see changes made to this area that will tackle longstanding concerns that residents have had here. This will also help more people to understand and connect with the natural environment, and help us create a cleaner, greener Cramlington.”

The plan is to recognise the land as a local nature site and involve the local community with various initiatives that will conserve the area, encourage biodiversity within it and increase public use of the woodland.

Discussions are already underway about creating a nature trail that will feature QR Coded information points that will relay data about local wildlife, the local environment and local heritage.

There will be opportunities for learning experiences, to care for the environment and opportunities for observation experiences through the installation of nature webcams.

Future projects in the woodland could include conservation workshops, surveys, planting of wildflowers and foraging opportunities.

Community groups and organisations already involved are in the project are SCENE (Sustainable Community Enterprises North East.), Northumbria Healthcare Trust, Manor Walks Biodiversity Project and  Ready Set Grow nursery.