A community garden has been awarded over £13,000 towards the cost of building an ‘eagerly anticipated’ wildlife pond. 

Peacocks Meadow in Littleport is about to start building its eco-pond thanks to a Pride of Place grant from East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC). 

The garden has been awarded £13,414 towards the cost of building the 15-metre pond which will boost the environment for a broad range of aquatic invertebrates, pollinating insects, birds and mammals. 

As well as boosting biodiversity, the pond will bring interest and pleasure to the hundreds of visitors to Peacock’s Meadow and become a learning resource for youth clubs, scouts, guides, pre-schools, early years groups and organisations which support disabled children. 

It will also help counteract the loss of natural ponds in Cambridgeshire, which have declined 95 per cent in 40 years. 

Committee chair at Peacock’s Meadow, Deb Curtis, said: “Peacock’s Meadow is the only volunteer-managed open space in Littleport and we have long wanted to create a ‘legacy wildlife pond’ within the community garden. 

"We are so excited and pleased we now have the funds to do so."

The pond will be fenced to meet health and safety requirements and have a varying depth up to a maximum of 1.25 metres. Wildlife ladders will also be installed. 

Littleport district councillor, Christine Ambrose Smith said: “The pond will provide a pocket sanctuary for local wildlife and enhance this wonderful community space, which I know has been dubbed the “Jewel in Littleport’s Crown.” 

Work on the pond should start next month and be completed by July 2024. 

Under its Pride of Place initiative, East Cambridgeshire District Council is making up to £15,000 available for environmentally friendly projects that create, tidy up or enhance somewhere special in local communities. 

For full terms and conditions visit the Pride of Place page on the council’s website.