BASILDON residents can enjoy an improved and diverse open space in the borough after work concluded on the Legacy Park Nature Zone.

Work started on the site back in September, to turn what was an underutilised area of open space into a biodiverse-rich space.

Now the site includes 50m of native hedgerow to create shelter and wildlife corridors for an array of species, a pond with aquatic plants to create a food and drink source for wildlife and birds, two wildflower areas to add colour and vibrancy as well as further improve the site's biodiversity, plus two bee posts, a bee planter, and stumpery.

There is also been a new bench, new dog litter bin, and new footpaths have been installed to make the site as friendly and accessible as it can be for visitors.

Basildon Council cabinet member for health, wellbeing, leisure, arts, and culture, Cllr Jeff Henry said: "Improving our borough's biodiversity is of paramount importance to us as a council. We've really prioritised it 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.

"Legacy Park Nature Zone is a really exciting open space where residents can relax, walk, and enjoy nature.

"I would encourage residents to visit and enjoy the space for themselves, and it will very soon be followed by our Cranes Farm Nature Zone and new open space improvements at St Nicholas – providing other brand-new open spaces for residents to explore."