£25,000 bid aims to connect Haughton Green’s valley, village and park

A new £25,000 funding bid has been submitted that could bring another major investment to Haughton Green.

The proposed Valley to Village Green Scheme would better connect Haughton Dale Local Nature Reserve, Haughton Green Village and Haughton Green Playing Fields, creating a greener, more accessible and welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike.

If successful, the project would deliver improved accessibility, new heritage interpretation boards, better wayfinding, tree and bulb planting, environmental improvements and a repair and refresh of public spaces across the area. The scheme would also open up around 3km of woodland pathways to disabled residents and those with limited mobility for the very first time, supported by new rest stops along the route.

The proposal has been designed to celebrate Haughton Green’s rich industrial heritage, with interpretation boards planned for Glass House Fold, Gibraltar Mill, the Wireworks, Hulme’s Pit and the Goit, together with a Blue Plaque recognising the historic importance of Glass House Fold.

The scheme also aims to strengthen the local economy by encouraging visitors to Haughton Dale Loval Nature Reserve to continue into Haughton Green Village, supporting local shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants.

The bid would build on the £40,000 Pride in Place investment already secured earlier this year to regenerate Haughton Green Village, creating a joined-up programme of improvements across the community.

The proposal has attracted support from a wide range of organisations, including Jigsaw Homes and Irwell Valley Housing Association, who have agreed in principle to do complementary greening schemes. 

The proposal has also attracted support from Denton Local History Society, Forever Green Community Group and local volunteers and all three Denton South councillors.

Councillor George Newton, who has led the bid, said:

“Haughton Green has some incredible assets, but they’ve suffered from years of underinvestment and deserve some TLC.

“The Valley to Village Green Scheme is about better connecting the valley, village and playing fields, making them more attractive and more accessible, while encouraging more people to visit Haughton Green to shop, eat, drink and support local businesses.

“If successful, it would bring another significant investment into Haughton Green and build on the £40,000 already secured earlier this year to improve the village.”

A decision on Pride in Place Impact Fund applications is expected by the end of August.