THE foundations for a new village green in Oxenhope have been laid down thanks to a massive cash boost.

Oxenhope Millennium Green Trust was awarded £35,000 from the Countryside Agency this week towards the development of a new £70,000 millennium village green.

The award marks 12 months of spade work by trustees who have campaigned to turn the area of land next to Keighley and Worth Valley Railway's station into a recreational green space.

Work on the one-and-a-half acre site is scheduled to begin in spring with the creation of new entrances, disabled access paths, seating, timber bridges across a small stream and wildflower areas.

Oak trees will also be planted later in the year to symbolise the beginning of the new millennium.

The Countryside Agency has awarded the grant through its Millennium Greens initiative, which is supported by £10 million of lottery money from the Millennium Commission.

With another £10,000 from various other sources, the trust members are now looking to raise the final £25,000 required for the project.

Chairman of the trustees Jeremy Mackrell said: "The trustees would like to say how grateful we are to Maurice ees for selling us the land and the Countryside Agency, which has encouraged us not only with a very large cheque, but also with general encouragement.

"We have £45,000 towards the green. It is now up to villagers and those wider afield to put their hands in their pockets to find the rest of the money.

"The trustees are hoping that we can work in close partnership with our colleagues across the road at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway."

Fellow trustee David Allen added: "The Countryside Agency's grant gives a real start to a major project that will turn a disused area of land into something attractive and inviting for the whole community - and for visitors who arrive on the steam railway."

Keighley MP Ann Cryer said: "I can't think of a better way to start the millennium and I think it is a wonderful idea, and the more villages that follow suit in the Keighley area the better.

"I think the measure of the success of this scheme will influence other villages throughout my constituency to follow suit and to encourage the local authority to make more land available for village spaces under the UDP."

The idea of a village green was first aired by Oxenhope parish council last February, and after initial discussions, a group of five trustees took over the reins of the project.

They will also have responsibility for the management of the green when it is opened.

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