By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 12:00, Monday, 02 July 2012

A new insight has been given into the wildlife being discovered as the regeneration of Derwent Forest progresses.

Nigel Catterson

A Facebook page has been set up which details what has been happening to transform the former munitions depot at Broughton Moor, near Cockermouth.

Derwent Forest Development Consortium wants to build the Utropia project on the 1,050-acre site, which will be west Cumbria’s answer to the Eden Project.

Nigel Catterson, who is leading the consortium, is writing regular updates online, as well as posting pictures of the wildlife found onsite.

One of the posts tells about Red Mason bees which have been discovered living in reinforced concrete blast walls, which were built 70 years ago in front of the ammunition storage buildings.

One of Mr Catterson’s posts states: “I am exploring the opportunity to create additional woodland through the planting of a further 60 acres of indigenous trees, as a part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

“I am also exploring the possibility of incorporating a sculpture park reflecting the past 60 years.“

The site was handed over to the consortium last December from the previous site owners, Allerdale council and Cumbria County Council, after being closed to the public for half a century.

Carlisle-based Story Construction has taken over the management of the site and will work with the consortium in taking forward the regeneration.

Ideas about what could be built there include a festival site, eco-friendly hotel, an organic farm using sustainable techniques, a heritage centre to tell the story of the site and West Cumbria and green energy production. The so-called Utropia project will be funded by the sale of housing plots around the edge of the site. It is thought to be at least two years until construction work starts on the site.

First published at 11:24, Monday, 02 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk