Old pit to be haven for wildlife

A new haven for wildlife could spring from a derelict colliery site near Cannock. County Council chiefs are looking to transform the majority of the former pit at Pye Green Valley in Hednesford.

They want to make it into a wooded wildlife landscape, complete with cycleways and footpaths.

The move is being made possible by cash generated from the building of homes on part of the former West Cannock Colliery site, which stopped operating in 1982.

Houses would stand on around 20 per cent of the 45 hectare site but the rest of the valley is set to be transformed into a nature reserve to benefit the community.

Specialists are busy surveying land in Pye Green ready for the construction of a new road that will serve the site and help ease congestion on local roads. The new road will run between the junction of Cannock Road and Belt Road.

The wildlife and leisure benefits are set to include the creation of a new area of heathland, recreating the specialist habitat that has put Cannock Chase on the international wildlife map.

Experts are currently conducting an ecological survey, looking at what birds, insects, animals and plants are present, and planning how they can deliver a package of improvements for the community.