A hilltop near Oxford once known for its scenic views of the city's famed 'dreaming spires' has been earmarked for restoration.
John Hanson and Roy Darnell, of the Cumnor Conservation Group, at Cumnor Hurst
Cumnor Hurst, which lies to the south of Cumnor Hill, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest known for its acidic grassland. It will now be restored by English Nature.
The site is the 10th and last of a series of 'spaces for nature' being designated under a countywide project set up to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Two public areas in each of the five Oxfordshire districts will be improved and regenerated under the scheme.
The initiative has been led by Hugo Brunner, the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, who will unveil an oak post, with a commemorative brass plaque, at the site on April 17.
Mr Brunner will later cut a Jubilee cake in the Old School House village centre, Cumnor, to celebrate the success of the project, which is being run by the Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum.
Under the scheme, more than 700 acres of land, all with public access, are now being managed for wildlife and public use by environment groups.
Cumnor Parish Council has signed a 21-year lease with All Souls College, Oxford, to take over the management of the area, formally known as Hurst Hill.
The future of the site will be maintained by allowing cattle to graze on it. Funds and support for the Cumnor Conservation Group, which will be responsible for the site's ongoing maintenance, will come from the Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment.
Landfill tax credits from the Waste Recycling Group and money from Oxford Preservation Trust will also be used.
John Hanson, co-ordinator of the conservation group, said: "It's been a bit of a long time getting to this stage, but the treat moment has arrived."
Parish council chairman Dr Philip Hawtin said: "I'm a great enthusiast of the scheme and I think we were absolutely right to be involved in this project.
"It's very important to the community because it's the only area in the entire parish that has remained undeveloped since before the war."
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