AN ambitious move to give East Cambridgeshire a £2 million cash boost has passed a major hurdle. The money would allow a new country park to be provided and relocate the city s sewage works freeing up the land. Cambridgeshire Horizons – a non-profit organ

AN ambitious move to give East Cambridgeshire a £2 million cash boost has passed a major hurdle.

The money would allow a new country park to be provided and relocate the city's sewage works freeing up the land.

Cambridgeshire Horizons - a non-profit organisation responsible for delivering homes and infrastructure to the region until 2016 - has listed the country park in its green strategy.

Now the bid will go before the Government and a final decision will be made in January.

The news is a major boost for East Cambridgeshire District Council after an application for Government funding for the park was rejected in 2005.

East Cambridgeshire District Council leader Brian Ashton said: "We have had this long-term vision for many years and I am delighted that we have the support of Cambridgeshire Horizons. We will just have to sit tight and see what happens."

The park would stretch from Creswells Park in Ely to Queen Adelaide and could include a wildlife reserve.

The old sewage works on Willow Walk would be relocated to free up prime city centre land for future development.

Chief executive of East Cambridgeshire District Council, John Hill, said: "This is a hurdle cleared on the road to improving our district. The funding would make a significant difference in our ability to make East Cambridgeshire fit for future growth."

The £2 million would be split, with £350,000 for the country park and the balance for the sewage treatment works.