Sunnyhurst Wood areas given special awards

Parts of Sunnyhurst Wood in Darwen have been awarded listed building status by Historic England.

Structures in the wood have been added to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. These structures are now listed at Grade II.

They are:

• The Olde English Tea House and associated gate piers
• The Greenway Shelter
• The Chadwick Lychgate
• The Potter Gateway
• The Lightbown Drinking Fountain

More information on listed status can also be found on the Historic England website at www.historicengland.org.uk.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

Sunnyhurst Woods is very much one of the jewels in Darwen’s crown and I am really pleased that these features and structures have been recognised as Grade II listed landmarks.

The Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods and the Council are very proud and protective of the woods and are working hard to improve these beautiful woods even further.”

Councillor Pete Hollings, who represents Sunnyhurst Ward and is Chair of Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods,, said: “

We are very excited by the Grade II listings. This comes on the back of what is turning out to be a fantastic year for the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods to bring our beautiful and historic woodland back to its former glory.

It follows on from a successful award of £450 from the Blackburn with Darwen 50+ Community engagement fund this week and a solid pledge from United Utilities to fund de-silting of our ponds up to a value of £10,000.

Already this month our volunteers have been reinstating paths from the Lychgate at the top of Sunnyhurst with United Utilities.

We are hoping to build on these successes with a very dedicated team of volunteers. I’ve been overwhelmed by the commitment of the community not only in their hard graft but by their “Can Do” attitude and sheer determination to make a difference. We have had amazing support of Council officers from the Environment department and Neighbourhood Teams at Your Call.”