£100,000 investment planned for Great Fen Project over next five years

Huntingdonshire District Council looks set to continue its financial support for the Great Fen Project.

An agreement which has seen HDC support the ­landscape restoration scheme since 2009, both financially and with officers’ time, is set to end in March.

A report for the council’s overview and scrutiny (environmental well-being) committee recommends the agreement is renewed, committing £100,000, as well as officers’ time, over the next five years.

The report states: “We could consider reducing our commitment to, and level of participation in, the project but it is considered that undertaking such a course of action would have clear negative consequences for the future wellbeing of the district.

“The council’s active involvement and its positive and proactive contributions to the on-going delivery of the Great Fen Project allows us to appropriately influence the form of, and shape the delivery of, the project.

“It is considered we are deriving good value from our contributions.”

HDC is one of five partners supporting the Great Fen Project which will over 50 years create a huge wetland area between Huntingdon and Peterborough to benefit both wildlife and people.

The committee is due to meet on Tuesday before ­cabinet makes a decision on January 23.