Our vision
We are committed to establishing the Greensand Ridge as a 'green lung' for the people of Bedfordshire and surrounding area. We see it as forming a key part of this wider area, offering environmentally-friendly tourism and leisure opportunities to millions of people within a short journey, as well as high-quality locally produced food.
Its farms, woodlands and associated businesses will supply renewable energy and sustainable construction materials, while becoming exemplars in resource efficiency.
Our strategy
To achieve our vision for the Greensand Ridge area, we have produced the Greensand Ridge Local Development Strategy 2008-2013, available below. We will use this strategy to seek to influence government policy and programmes and to secure the necessary public and private sector investment with the aim of:
- Increasing opportunities for 'green' tourism and leisure activities in the Greensand Ridge
- Helping local farmers and foresters to diversify into new markets, particularly connected to carbon reduction
- Growing the market for locally sourced food and drink products
- Supporting local small business growth and community enterprise solutions to service provision
Our investment targets
Through securing public and private investment in our Greensand Ridge development strategy we are committed to achieving the following targets by 2013:
• 14 farm diversification projects supported and 40 jobs created/ sustained
• 32 new tourism projects and 60 jobs created/ sustained
• 30 farm modernisation projects supported and 15 jobs created/ sustained
• 28 rural heritage projects supported and 4 jobs created/ sustained
• 100 small rural businesses supported and 90 jobs created/ sustained
• 25 rural community service projects and 30 jobs created/ sustained
• 1700 farm, forestry and rural business sector training days delivered
A copy of our full development strategy, and associated investment prospectus for the Greensand Ridge, can be downloaded from the following links: