BASILDON Council is to create two new park areas in the borough to continue its programme of environmental improvements to open spaces.

The new parks will be called Legacy Park Nature Zone, located at SS13 3PB, and Cranes Farm Nature Zone, located at SS15 5BA.

The parks are being created in what is either underutilised or disused green space, and the projects will see lots of different elements added to enhance the biodiversity and attractiveness of the sites.

Wildlife ponds will be installed to create a food and drink source for an array of wildlife and birds. Hedge rows will create shelter for a variety of species as well as a wildlife corridors for species to move between different habitats.

Wildflower meadows have also been created to add some colour and vibrancy as well as further improve the biodiversity of the sites, with new benches soon to be installed at each location.

Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, Leisure, Arts, and Culture, Cllr Jeff Henry, says: "Improving our borough's biodiversity is of paramount importance to us as a council. It's an area we've really prioritised in the last couple of years to support our efforts to become a carbon net zero authority by 2030 and a carbon net zero borough by 2050.

"To be creating two brand new park areas is something really exciting for residents. These attractive spaces are great places to relax amidst a diverse surrounding habitat, where you'll be able to spot plenty of wildlife enjoying the spaces.

"It's one of a number of exciting environmental improvement projects underway, including our Nethermayne grass verge restoration, our Wickford Memorial Park extension, and lots of other projects which will all create healthier and more attractive open spaces for our residents to enjoy."