Goodrich Greenspace is the first area in the West Midlands to banish unsightly electricity poles and cables. OFGEM agreed to the removal of poles and the undergrounding of overhead electricity cables because it is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area behind Goodrich School met strict criteria and Central Networks agreed to trial the undergrounding here before rolling out the scheme across other sites and AONBs in the region. Planning permission for recreational use of the site behind the Village School was dependent upon the overhead electricity wires being buried for safety reasons. Lawrie Lowe, speaking on behalf of the group, said that without the help from the AONB/ Central Networks scheme, development of the site would have not been possible. He said that although the Community had raised a lot of money for the project, the £20,000 pound plus cost of undergrounding the power lines would have been out of reach of the voluntary fund raising efforts. The Greenspace project also received a tremendous boost in August with a grant of £7200 from Awards for All which will help fund the play equipment and local people have pledged £6,300 which demonstrates the strong, local support. Project Chairman Lance Harbord said: " This is great news for the village and should enable us to go ahead with an aim to complete the major part of the project by next spring." Local contractor Tony Coyle set to work with two of his diggers in September – moving in to dig a trench to put in pipes which will carry the buried electricity lines replacing the high voltage power lines that currently go over the site. Further levelling to provide play areas is now completed and the paths will be stoned and graded to make the site more accessible. After this work has been done, the area will be re- seeded with a wildflower meadow covering part of the site. Before the end of the year, play equipment will be installed and tree planting will take place with trees being planted for their wildlife value and for enhancing the future landscape.