A new environmental project aimed at tackling wildlife loss will give more than 500,000 people in the West Midlands access to nature close to where the live.

Purple Horizons will restore heathland and link it with wetland, woodland and grassland across an area of up to 10,000 hectares including Cannock Chase and Sutton Park, working with landowners to create habitats for wildlife and carbon storage.

The scheme is one of five nature recovery projects in England that have been announced by the Government and Natural England, the Government’s advisor on the natural environment.

Lichfield District Council is among the partners driving Purple Horizons which is being funded through a share of a £2.4million pot from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Natural England.

Kristie Charlesworth, ecology officer at Lichfield District Council, said: “Heathland is good for lots of protected and priority species. Ground-nesting birds such as the nightjar like heathland as do invertebrates and reptiles.

“We were the first council in the country to make a policy demanding that all development must deliver a 20 per cent net gain to biodiversity as part of seeking planning permission.

“If developers cannot deliver that net gain onsite, they either create or enhance areas of habitat elsewhere in the district or provide the council with a suitable financial contribution for us to deliver that habitat on their behalf.”

Councillor Angela Lax, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Ecology and Climate Change, said: “I was delighted to attend the launch of the Purple Horizons project.

“Its work to restore heathland will create sustainable habitats for wildlife while making these areas more accessible to residents, improving both mental and physical health.

“It will also contribute to our collective efforts to tackle climate change and look forward to seeing the project progress.”

Pictured (L-R): Kristie Charlesworth, Ecology and Climate Change Manager, Lichfield District Council; Marian Spain, Chief Executive, Natural England; Councillor Angela Lax, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Ecology and Climate Change and Emma Johnson, Area Manager, West Midlands Team, Natural England.