AN area of outstanding natural beauty is to thrive thanks to a grant worth tens of thousands of pounds which will benefit its conservation.

Dedham Vale AONB received the huge cash boost as part of a £59,000 grant which aims to support projects which will lead to the further conservation and enhancement of the protected areas.

The money has been provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to help fund projects in the area which covers most of the world-renowned Constable Country.

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Funds will now be awarded through the Sustainable Development Funds to National Trust Flatford’s creation of a valley farm kitchen garden project for children to enjoy and provide a hub for school children and community workshops.

In addition, St Mary’s Church, in East Bergholt, will receive money for a bell cage and church history education project.

In awarding the funding, the Sustainable Development Fund panel said: “Over the past 18 months, millions of people have discovered the benefits of nature and how important our surroundings are for our physical and mental health – highlighting its value the need to protect it for future generations.”

Colchester councillor Darius Laws said the money will be vital in helping to protect the area for generations to come.

“Great work has been done on conservation in the area and there is now scope to add enhancement,” he said.

“The challenges posed by Covid have meant we’ve mainly had to focus on conservation, but we can now look at how we can enhance the area too; these two focuses are distinctive and different.

“The work doesn’t have to be radical as we have to respect the environment but we have scope to make it better and it’s great we’ve been given the opportunity to do so.

“I’m really excited about the old bicycle museum in Flatford, near the boatyard dock, and the plans the National Trust have for enhancing this.

“We want people to visit and enjoy the beauty of the area, but we also have to make sure they can enjoy it in a way that respects the natural environment and the wildlife which lives here.

“I believe if you keep something pristine and lovely then people will see this and want to share it meaning it will stay protected for generations.”