Parks and Public Open Spaces feedback report - May 2016

The Neighbourhood Plan Team has been busy collecting and collating feedback from residents whose houses back on to the following parks and green open spaces: Belper Parks, Bullsmoor, Manor Rec., Walker Bottom Rec. (at the end of Stanton Avenue) and Three Cornered Rec. We intend to survey residents whose houses back on to other parks in Belper in the next few months starting with the biggest green areas and working down.

Feedback has been collected via a survey form which is particular to a single place or a group of parks where they are in close proximity to each other. The views expressed come only from the residents surveyed not the facilitator. Many of the views were expressed by a considerable number of people.

Feedback about Belper River Gardens, Market Place, Meadow’s edge, and the Memorial Gardens comes from comments in surveys of other parks.

Wyver Lane Nature Reserve: Size 70 hectares situated at the far end of Wyver Lane

We do not intend to survey the residents living in the only house that is close to Wyver Lane Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve is privately owned, is managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust on a very long term lease and has no public access.

Belper Parks Local Nature Reserve: Size 20 Hectares surrounded by housing in the middle of Town, adjacent to Coppice Car Park.

Belper Parks is approximately 50% native English bluebell woodland and 50% grassland with 3 hectares of wildflower meadow. The meadow is fenced round so that cattle can graze the meadow in the autumn, which is the ideal way to manage a wildflower meadow. The site has had a management plan since 2003 this was updated annually from 2007, when the Landscape Services Department was first formed, until 2012. There are many things in the management plan that remain undone.

Comments from residents :- These vary widely.

1)      Many residents appreciate and look forward to the arrival of the Highland Cattle each year. But have strong comments on the way Landscape Services mismanage the cattle grazing regime for the wildflower meadow. One example is as follows:-

“What sort of idiot had the meadow mown before the cattle went in. The cattle had no grass to eat and the meadow would not benefit the land with no grass”

2)      This is contrary to AVBC’s Press Release in 2009 issued by Cllr. Jack Brown then Cabinet Member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer in which he said:
 “When the idea was first suggested I was instantly excited. Aside from the obvious environmental and educational benefits of replacing mowers with cows, the site of Highland Cattle, grazing in the park, would be a popular draw for walkers and tourists. Ideally, we want to find a willing local farmer who can graze their cattle and use the meat to sell locally and really subscribe to the organic and ethical values we’re aiming to instil with the project.”

3)      Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and other professional environmental groups also say cattle grazing in the autumn is the best way to manage a wildflower meadow. Mowing and removing the arisings kills or removes much of the very small wildlife you need to support the larger animals further up the food chain.

4)      Some people think the site is well managed, clean, tidy, safe and peaceful

5)      Others complain of dog fouling and litter.

6)      Non native species of plant and trees need to be removed

7)      Access for disabled people needs improving

8)      It is good to be able to walk away from roads, traffic and concrete, better for body and mind

9)      Generally good but need to be more inclusive

10)   Could do with community events and activities for families

11)   Outdoor awareness sessions

12)   Too much clearance of undergrowth. Less clearance of fallen trees as those rotting down produce food at lower end of food chain encouraging biodiversity.

13)   Less clearance of brambles at Coppice car park as foxes which keep rats in check have gone

14)   Footpaths to be better maintained and the occasional sight of a dog warden

15)   Freedom to walk without trespassing

16)   Community bird hide would be good

17)   The Parks need to be managed better. It has become much more overgrown and therefore dark since we came here 5 years ago

18)   Not consulted adequately on changes

19)   If people want to get involved in the management of the Parks then they should be allowed to do so.

Manor Rec.

1)      A skate board area in Manor Rec.

2)      I think the skate board park at Morrisons is in the wrong place. It is too out of the way, which allows groups of older teenagers to dominate it and scare of younger children

3)      There are no swings or roundabouts for children over 8 years old.

Walker Bottom Rec.

1)      The ball court slopes so balls roll of the court and into the brook. Needs more fencing to stop footballs going in the brook.

2)      We overlook the rec. and enjoy watching all ages enjoying the recent facilities

3)      Path needed round playground when direct route around the play area is muddy.

4)      We enjoy living on the edge of it and visiting children use it.

5)      Not enough swings and difficult to access the slide

6)      Path and fencing not adequate. Council official very unhelpful and rude

7)      More swings

Bullsmoor privately owned and currently farmland

1)      No building on Bullsmoor, would prefer development of brown field sites.

2)      No building on Bullsmoor as no infrastructure

3)      Views plenty and different routes to take, being in the countryside. They are attractive unspoilt areas and safe.

4)      We are unfit 80+ year olds and wish we could enjoy the Parks. We moved to Belper in 2012 and bought a property overlooking the serene green areas. It would be ghastly if housing were to be built on Bullsmoor. The infrastructure is not there schools, surgeries and Nottingham Road – unthinkable that traffic would be increased along it into Belper. Belper is a gem. We need to preserve what makes Belper unique. Kind helpful townspeople are also a plus for the town.

5)      Massive concern regarding flooding issues connected to new development

6)      Bullsmoor is vital to the World Heritage status. Bullsmoor should have “village green status”.

7)      To truly protect the unique features of Belper, the industrial planning permission also needs to be removed from Bullsmoor as part of the Neighbourhood Plan

The responses of the two exceptions to the 98% who did not want building on Bullsmoor

8)      Yes, as many as possible to support local businesses.

9)      Only if it is affordable housing for first time buyers

Three Cornered Rec.

1)      I don’t like the fact that dogs are exercised in 3 Cornered Rec. don’t think they should be exercised where children play

2)      No waste bin at the top of the rec. This results in rubbish on the grass

3)      Tailored for the very young, which is appropriate for St Johns Primary School

4)      Good place to go with children to play football and basketball. Play area well managed

5)      Needs a new basketball hoop and board

6)      Would be good to have new equipment like Whitemoor and an assault course.

Belper Meadows edge

1)     The area of the Meadows at the end of Derwent Street should be left as it is, completely natural.

Belper River Gardens owned and maintained by AVBC

Many people visit the River Gardens from other parts of Belper.

1)     The playground is only suitable for very young children.

2)     The Gardens need a cafe, they would be well used by the public

3)     Would like to see the cafe re-open

4)     Stop upgrading to things that do not work

Memorial Gardens owned and maintained by Belper Town Council

1)     Residents appreciate the work of the Town Council’s staff in maintaining the Memorial Gardens and imaginative displays of flowers.

2)     Few people know of the community garden in the Memorial Garden

Belper Market Place shared ownership by Belper Town Council, Derbyshire County Council, and some of the adjacent landowners, which makes legally enforceable no parking signage impossible.

Belper UDC Act 1953 requires the Market Place and Coppice car parks to be available for fairs and markets.

1)     Don’t like the Market Place being used as a car park when Coppice car park is so close.

General Comments on Parks and Green Open Spaces

1)      Belper’s Parks and Green Open Spaces give a sense of well being and are the reason some people move to and like living in Belper. Once they’re gone there is no going back.

2)      Freedom

3)      Belper’s Parks and Green Open Spaces are great places to exercise kids and dogs

4)      Green open spaces are too valuable to loose for many reasons. (Wildlife, recreation etc.)

5)      Commitment to maintain the integrity, size and biodiversity of Belper’s parks and public open spaces are vital for the health of Belper and neighbouring areas.

6)      What is bad about Belper’s parks and green open spaces :- Litter, Bottles, Vandalism and mis-use by a mindless minority

7)      It would be good to see schools use the Parks to educate children about nature and the environment

8)      It would be good to see more use of green open spaces to grow free food such as fruit trees and fruit bushes for people and wildlife.

9)      50% of all new housing built in Belper in the last 15 years. Only one built in Alderwasley.

10)   Protect Belper from developers keep our green open spaces.

11)   Any new housing developments should contain small regularly placed green spaces within them

12)   We all need open spaces to be in touch with nature. It would be a poorer environment without them in Belper

13)   Belper is a lovely Market Town. Don’t spoil it with too much building.

14)   Belper cannot sustain further development (beyond occasional an house). It doesn’t have the infrastructure. The road network cannot be adapted to facilitate extra traffic.

15)   If houses need to be built, make sure the roads are wide enough for all the extra traffic.

16)   I think it is important we keep these spaces as they are, with no new buildings. Belper is overdeveloped as it is, the town is in danger of losing its character.

17)   Not enough facilities for the number of houses.

18)   Belper is expanding! The attraction to live here is the access to the open spaces and parks. I would move house and town if I lost it. Key reason for moving here. To feel free having lived in an already crowded Derby.

19)   Belper’s infrastructure is under pressure. New builds both commercial and domestic appear to have no thought to how traffic is managed, let alone sewerage/water management

20)   The green spaces compliment the history of the World Heritage Site and encourage tourism. They also make the environment pleasant to live in.

21)   Please do not allow any more houses to be built on our Green Belt land. Belper is far too beautiful one of the main reasons we moved here.

22)   Speeding big issue on Nottingham Road. Traffic calming or cameras are needed to prevent accidents.

23)   Belper has too much traffic going through it (Bridge Street and New Road). The infrastructure seems very stretched by an expanding population.

24)   Parks and Green Spaces need to be protected. This is a common comment in many replies.

25)   Not enough car parking or school places, doctors or dentists to cope with more housing.

26)   Belper is in danger of over development which will result in the town losing its character. There are many similar comments to this. People are concerned about squeezing a quart into a pint pot, and the consequent loss of World Heritage status.

Emerging policies

1)      The vast majority of residents see the value of being in a World Heritage Site as well as its constraints and want it to remain much as it is with development only where there is no reduction in the site’s Outstanding Universal Value.

2)      No building on Belper’s Green Belt

3)      The vast majority of residents do not want houses being built on the Town’s current parks and green open spaces.

4)      Residents want local people to be involved in the maintenance and development of Belper Parks, and a number of people including older children are prepared to be involved under the right conditions. A community group can obtain funding to develop the site for the benefit of its wildlife and human visitors and help implement the local Biodiversity Plan for the Derwent Valley.

5)      People want to see more use made of Belper Parks by the community for appropriate activities. This will help reduce abuse of Belper Parks.

6)      The Tea Rooms in the River Gardens need to be renovated and re-opened as tea rooms.