Grant funding secured to bring eco-learning space to Holt Country Park

Date published: 29th May 2025

North Norfolk District Council has been successfully awarded a grant of £100,000 from the Hornsea 3 Legacy Fund from Ørsted to use in Holt Country Park.

The grant will be used to build a new indoor/outdoor eco-learning space - the indoor learning hub will incorporate energy efficient insulation, a sedum roof and rainwater harvesting. This space will also include learning stations to educate users on sustainability, environmental impact and local renewable energy production.

The projected design will have a few pieces of outdoor gym equipment which will offer a unique gym experience of using human-powered green energy to create usable electricity to charge devices, and feed an on-site energy storage display unit which will also power lighting.

The grant scheme the Council applied to was the Hornsea 3 Community Fund, and was awarded the £100,000 that is ringfenced for a single flagship project that is ‘Inspired by Green’.

Cllr Liz Withington, portfolio holder for Community, Leisure & Outreach, said:

"The grant funding from Ørsted is extremely welcome and allows us to realise so much potential in Holt Country Park. Our Countryside Rangers put on so much for young people all year round, and having a dedicated and interactive learning hub will greatly improve the offering at the Green Flag award-winning site. 

“The grant will really open up lots of new possibilities in the park and we're really excited to start work on this project, which has been a long held dream for the Council."

Jessica Westcott, Project Director at Hornsea 3, Ørsted, said:

“The Hornsea 3 Legacy Fund focuses on environmentally focused projects that have a long-lasting impact for people and communities for generations to come.

The Council’s plans here in Holt Country Park are fantastic and a shining example of sustainability and practice in this beautiful place.

Ørsted is committed to protecting nature and the environment, as well as leaving a long-lasting benefit for the communities in which we work, and over the next ten years we’ll be spending seven million pounds to realise this. ”

North Norfolk District Council continues to support eco-learning and opportunities for young people with North Norfolk YAB (Youth Advisory Board) through the Green Futures project.

The Green Futures: Youth Project is a series of free activities throughout the year designed for young people aged between 11-19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs) to get them outside, learning about nature, being active and getting creative.

The Council’s green spaces regularly hold community engagement events, where visitors can engage in activities such as tree planting or giveaways, volunteer conservation days and family events.

This grant funding is part of the Council’s continued investment into its award-winning countryside parks.