WOODCOCK Hill has received a cash boost this week after securing a council grant.

The £2,500 grant from Hertsmere Borough Council has been accompanied by funding from The Watling Forest Chase Community Forest Project of £2,000.

The money will go towards a project to improve the look of the area and to also put in a barrier and pedestrian access between the bottom of the hill and Byron Avenue, in Borehamwood.

The 12-year battle to stop developers building on the site, north of Barnet Lane, ended in July 2008 with the land receiving village green status.

Councillor Pat Strack, Woodcock Hill Village Green (WHVG) chairman, said: “We have been waiting on suitable weather conditions for this work to go ahead. It is important that residents in the area know that this work will be going ahead before the nesting season so as not to disturb the birds and other creatures.

“Project one is the clearing of brambles and mowing the meadows. There will be large machines on site digging up the roots of the brambles and collecting the green waste for compost into a far corner of the site.

"The work will probably take a couple of days and this is from funding from the borough council.

“Project two is putting in a barrier and pedestrian, buggy and wheelchair access at the bottom of the hill between the hill and Byron Avenue and this will be from the funding from Watling Forest Chase Community Forest Project.

“Later in the year trustees will have a bench installed at the bottom of the hill so less able residents will be able to admire the view up the hill.”

To learn more about the history of the hill and how to get involved with the committee visit www.woodcockhill.org.uk