Bringing the South Downs to Vale Park

The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere has successfully gained funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to create a new wildflower bank in Vale Park, Portslade.

Works will take place between 3 and 15 October (weather permitting). During this time a section of path will be closed with alternative routes available.

Once complete, it will form part of a growing network of banks which is increasing the diversity of plants and wildlife in our city’s urban environment.

Increasing biodiversity

A recent survey of Brighton & Hove’s wildflower bank network found a staggering 554 species of invertebrates, including over 50 types of bees and 191 species of plants.

These chalk wildflower banks recreate local downland habitats in miniature, in parks and green spaces across the city. They are valuable nectar-rich havens, attracting pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies and beetles.

Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries, said: “This project is making such a positive impact. Creating wildflower-rich areas in the city is providing havens for struggling pollinators, as well as bringing pocket-sized Downland habitats into the city for residents to enjoy.

“This is part of the Changing Chalk project which covers an area from Shoreham to Eastbourne, helping to restore and reconnect the declining chalk grassland areas of the South Downs and the plants and wildlife that depend on it.”

Involving communities

A community planting day will be organised to plant over 600 wildflowers. The bank may look a little bare after planting as it takes time for the plants to re-establish. 

The South Downs on our doorstep are a magical place for wildlife. Old chalk grassland is a globally rare habitat, home to many wildflowers and pollinating insects. Over the last 100 years, this incredibly biodiverse habitat has been declining, leaving a fragmented network which threatens the species that live there.

Discover more about the project on The Living Coast website and get involved in helping maintain your local wildflower bank.

More information

The Living Coast is expanding and improving the important network of bee and butterfly banks across Brighton & Hove through Greening the Cities, part of Changing Chalk, a partnership of organisations working together for the future of the South Downs.

The four-year project is supported by a £2.23 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

About The Living Coast

The Living Coast is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Region, working in partnership from Worthing to Seaford in Sussex, connecting people and nature from the South Downs to the sea.

Discover The Living Coast.

About Changing Chalk

This project aims to reverse the decline of the fragile chalk grassland and bring local communities closer to the nationally significant landscape on their doorstep.

Led by the National Trust, the partnership connects nature, people and heritage. It is restoring lost habitats, bringing histories to life, and offering new experiences in the outdoors.

The four-year project is supported by a £2.23 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and made possible thanks to National Lottery players. The project is also supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery and The Linbury Trust.

Find out more about The Changing Chalk Partnership.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund  (NLHF)

The NLHF vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. It is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage, dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage. 

Over the next 10 years, the NLF aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities. 

Find out more about the National Lottery Heritage Fund.