St.Helens Forest Park Final Draft

Transcription

ST.HELENS FOREST PARK
REPORT FOR THE MERSEY FOREST AND ST.HELENS
COUNCIL
JULY 2009
FINAL DRAFT
PRODUCED BY BLUE SAIL IN ASSOCIATION WITH
KKP AND RURAL INNOVATION
BLUE SAIL ST.HELENS FOREST PARK – DRAFT 4
JULY 2009
CONTENTS
1
A VISION FOR THE FOREST PARK ................................................. 3
2
SUMMARY OF KEY RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................... 5
3
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 9
4
THE FOREST PARK CONCEPT ...................................................... 18
5
OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSED ........................................................ 26
6
A STARTING POINT: ESSENTIAL MINIMUM FACILITIES AND
MANAGEMENT MODEL .................................................................. 41
7
SITE PROPOSALS .......................................................................... 51
8
‘DREAM’ AND PUBLIC ART ........................................................... 67
9
CONNECTIVITY ............................................................................... 69
10 MAKING IT HAPPEN ....................................................................... 74
11 MARKETING AND BRANDING ....................................................... 77
APPENDIX .............................................................................................. 82
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1 A VISION FOR THE FOREST PARK
Exclusive extract from the Altrincham Express
26 October 2021
From our Chief Travel and Leisure Correspondent
Half term! Whatever to do with a young family full of energy - but
quick to brand most of my ideas as ‘seriously uncool’? Get them to the
great outdoors, that’s what, and to a place where they can choose for
themselves something to take their fancy.
So last Thursday saw three jaded children aged 9 to 14 heading off
with me along the motorway in search of the Forest Park near
St.Helens. In about 30 minutes we saw the signs for the Forest Park
and then the ‘Dream’ sculpture overlooking the M62. Slipping off at
Junction 7 we knew we were almost there.
To be frank I wasn’t sure St Helens was my sort of place. In my
teenage years I associated it with factory chimneys and muddy rugby
league games. But I soon had to revise my impressions. It’s all very
different today. Our first view was of delightful woodland, just
beginning to take on Autumn colours. The sat-nav took our new
Toyota 3x3 Hydrocar to a spacious car park, while telling us details of
the programme of activities on offer.
We were greeted at reception by an ‘Activities Coordinator’, an
enthusiastic young guy who explained our options for the day. It’s
possible and probably advisable to book activities ahead online
because some of the activities are very popular. But you can also just
turn up to ‘pay and play’ – which is what we did.
My elder daughter opted for a horse-riding lesson. She’s done some
riding before but needs to build up her confidence She was taken by
minibus to an Equestrian Centre nearby and really enjoyed her lesson
which included an introduction to jumping with a small group of
‘improvers’. This was not cheap but I guess a whole lot less expensive
than buying and keeping our own horse.
My son was keen to try out mountain boarding which is very popular
on the site. He was kitted out with helmet and safety gear before
going off to the instruction area. By the end of the two hour session
he was definitely getting the hang of it and had tackled the fairly
gentle beginners’ course. He is very keen to go back and have a go on
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the more challenging downhill runs next time. Later, in the afternoon,
he scaled the mobile climbing wall, fully roped up of course.
I was rather tempted by the fishing that’s on offer at a lake at the
nearby golf course but my younger daughter and I decided to hire
mountain bikes for the day. That was a good move because the Forest
Park stretches over several square miles. Two wheels are a great way
to get around and if you are adventurous you can have fun on the
bicycle skills area. In fact it’s mostly pretty easy cycling and we saw a
Senior Citizens cycle group in session. We cycled up to the Dream
sculpture and saw a number of other sculptures nearby. We stopped
for a while at the adventure play area built up and through the trees –
there even one of the sculptures is a giant climbing frame!
Happily the Park is entirely traffic free with the exception of the
electric carriages that move quietly about and are very popular with
the elderly and disabled. Most parts of the Park are fully accessible.
We must have cycled several miles in all, including in an area called
Colliers Moss where we saw some lovely bird-life and an area of
Chinese trees that were planted to mark the 2012 Olympics. We also
enjoyed a new feature – a treetop walkway.
We met up for refreshments later at the Centre café which serves a
very varied and reasonable selection of fresh food. We then had a
quick look in the shop which offers tack and outdoor clothing, and at
the woodlands crafts area.
What an enjoyable day! We all agreed that next time we would make
a weekend of it. We could stay in style in one of the smart new hotels
that have sprung up in St Helens but I think we will enter into the
outdoor spirit and stay in one of the eco-pods near the Forest Park
site.
And the cost of our day? You can walk in the woods for free but there
are charges for parking, cycle hire and for the pay and play activities
and instruction. There’s the option of a good value family ticket for 50
euros to cover a range of activities. Lunch and drinks set us back
another 30 euros but it was all terrific value in my book. Definitely
recommended.
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2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
This study relates to several large areas of land that in the last 15 years have
been landscaped and planted as community woodland. Much of the land has
been reclaimed from coal-mining, the area being extended more recently by the
addition of former farmland.
These pieces of land are key parts of the St.Helens Forest Park1 area which lies
mainly in the south of St.Helens Borough with smaller areas in Warrington and
Halton Boroughs. It is easy to reach from the centre of St.Helens and is
strategically sited close to the M62 motorway which joins Liverpool and
Manchester. There are around 2 million people within a 30 minute drive time.
The Forest Park is part of the Mersey Forest - a regional landscape regeneration
initiative that aims to increase overall tree cover while promoting the creation of
other habitats. The Mersey Forest aims to be an important economic driver and
a setting for active and informal recreation.
St.Helens along with the boroughs of Warrington and Halton has been accorded
Growth Point status which means that 19,500 new houses are planned by 2017.
There is a requirement on the local authorities to put forward plans for green
infrastructure. The Forest Park sites offer an outstanding opportunity to provide
high quality footpaths, cycle paths and open spaces for recreation.
The Forest Park areas are appreciated but as yet not greatly used by local
people, nor do they attract many visitors. While there are basic networks of
paths to allow walkers, cyclists and horse-riders into the sites there have been
few other facilities to attract users. But recently a major new sculpture has been
installed: Dream, by the artist Jaume Pensa, stands in the forest high above the
motorway, providing a unique visual identity and attracting many visitors to enter
the site.
Our brief was to examine opportunities to increase active use of the sites by
identifying new and improved infrastructure, to identify visitor demand and
numbers, to explore linked business opportunities, and advise on marketing and
branding.
THE VISION
The Forest Park represents an opportunity to transform a swathe of urban fringe
land into a green, pleasant and productive environment. It will be a delightful
1
St.Helens Forest Park is a working title for the area of land; it may be given a different
name for future development and promotion.
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place to visit, rich with wildlife and full of opportunities for active recreation. It
will the positive context for new housing and will provide opportunities for
businesses to grow and prosper.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE PUBLIC USE
A high standard of maintenance and cleanliness is necessary throughout the
park. Problems of erosion to paths and other surfaces need to be remedied. The
deterioration of the Colliers Moss sites is a particular challenge to be met. Good
husbandry of the woodland areas is needed to bring them to an attractive
maturity.
At present the Forest Park presents as a series of scarcely connected open
spaces. They need to be joined together conceptually and physically with brand
name, consistent visual identity, pathways, signage, waymarking and mapping,
road signage to access points and car parking (p36). It will need public
investment to improve these aspects.
Once connectivity is improved a variety of long and short routes should be
offered as a network. An essential step forward is to designate and name main
circular routes on each site, and also to designate a main route (with spurs) to
connect all the sites.
The best prospect for creating an attraction that will draw visitors and locals to
use the Forest Park is to develop an offer of “soft adventure” – a range of safe
but demanding activities aimed mostly at beginners and dabblers, at young
family groups, other young people and organised school and youth groups.
There is also potential for organised adult team-building if facilities are provided
to an acceptable standard.
Activities should use the existing terrain and topography and preserve the forest
character.
The nature of the sites and scale of commercial opportunity means development
should start modestly and proceed by stages as viability is demonstrated.
It is essential that investment in visitor attractors is concentrated initially on one
site to create a critical mass of interest. The best base for this first stage
development is Sutton Manor.
Public sector-led investment at an early stage to develop footfall could include
Adventure play area
A programme of activities aimed at families
a designated cycle circuit with downhill sections and cycle skill area
The suggested private sector- led initial attractors are
Mountain Boarding
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A low ropes/assault course
Potential investors and operators should be invited to put forward proposals
which may include additional or alternative development. Some flexibility needs
to be given particularly in the current difficult investment climate.
There is potential to offer team-building activities to corporate bodies and other
adult groups. The necessary high standard facilities may be offered in
conjunction with the Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club.
The Forest Park will require visitor facilities and reception as there are none
(beyond some parking) at present. The minimum requirements are
A reception area to provide information and take bookings and payments
Office space and staff facilities
An equipment store
Refreshment area
Toilets
Parking
Highly desirable elements are
A meeting/ training room – a facility for school groups, land-based diploma
students, team-building groups etc
A shelter with picnic tables, very useful for schools and other groups
Shop for equipment, books, confectionery, etc
The most cost-effective way forward is to combine the operations of the
reception facility with the Smithy Manor pub by agreement with the owners and
tenant. The pub could provide the refreshments and parking.
Indicative costs for site connection network, initial attractors and visitor centre
linked to Smithy Manor is £733,000.
Ideally, at a later stage, a Forest Park visitor centre would be purpose-built,
possibly incorporating refurbished parts of the existing pub building.
Of the other sites Colliers Moss South has the clearest potential for activities
including riding, cycle track riding, and water activities. At a later stage of
development a secondary visitor reception and ranger base may be justified.
Businesses that operate in the Forest Park area should be encouraged to
promote their facilities as part of the Forest Park offer. They include a cluster of
equestrian businesses and the Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club.
USERS
While local people will continue to be significant users, visitors will be drawn
mostly from 20-30 minute travel time. There are around 2 million people within a
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30 minute drive time. It is estimated that 100,000 -120,000 visits a year could be
made to the Forest Park within 3 years if development proceeds.
MANAGEMENT
Management arrangements must be put in place. The key need is for an
organisational structure bringing owners and other interests together and for an
individual to provide leadership of the Forest Park project and drive it forward.
Development of an informal partnership would be a sensible first step with the
option to create a Charitable Trust and company limited by guarantee or
Community Interest Company to manage the investment and manage the Forest
Park as a going concern.
DREAM AND PUBLIC ART
‘Dream’ is attracting attention and visits to Sutton Manor. PR and publicity
messages should couple the symbolic message of a forward-looking era to the
re-birth of Sutton Manor as a place of nature, beauty and recreation. The
proposed visitor hub at Sutton Manor should incorporate space for information
and interpretation of Dream. A high impact Dream public art legacy programme
is planned both in and around Sutton Manor and across the Borough.
A creative treatment of the entrances and car parks at sites would enhance the
profile and image of the Forest Park.
COMMUNICATIONS AND BRANDING
There are two distinct target audiences for St.Helens Forest Park – park users,
whether locals or visitors, and partners.
At this point the priority is to develop the messages for the public sector
partners and funding bodies to demonstrate how the Forest Park development
meets their strategic objectives. The second priority will be to engage private
sector business partners.
A name for the Forest Park has to be agreed by the partners though there is no
consensus at present. The informally used ‘St.Helens Forest Park’ has the
advantage of locating it geographically but does not recognise that parts lie in
the adjoining boroughs. An option is to call it ‘Dream Forest Park’ reflecting the
iconic sculpture at Sutton Manor.
A marketing communications plan for park users should be written prior to the
infrastructure development taking place in order to manage the messages from
the outset and establish a consistent image for the Forest Park.
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3 INTRODUCTION
THE FOREST PARK AREA
The Forest Park is part of the Mersey Forest - a regional landscape regeneration
initiative that aims to increase overall tree cover while promoting the creation of
other habitats. The Mersey Forest is seen as an important economic driver and
as a setting for active and informal recreation.
The Forest Park in St.Helens is an area to the south of the main population
centre of St.Helens and stretches both north and south of the M62 motorway
between junctions 7 and 8. It covers an area of approximately15 square
kilometers.
At the heart of the Forest Park are areas of community woodland planted some
15-20 years ago at the former colliery sites of Colliers Moss, Clock Face and
Sutton Manor. More recently farmland has been acquired and planted at
Wheatacre, Maypole and Griffin Wood. Altogether these sites amount to 267
hectares.
THE BRIEF FOR THIS STUDY
The client for the study is the Mersey Forest working with a steering group of
representatives of St.Helens Council and the Forestry Commission. As the sites
develop the potential for greater public use increases. Previous studies have
suggested that the area offers opportunities for a range of adventurous outdoor
activities and an ‘aspirational masterplan’ has indicated how the sites might be
used.
The brief for the present study is to focus on the actions needed to create a
vibrant, attractive, business-generating Forest Park. In particular it is to examine
opportunities for new and improved infrastructure to support active uses, to
identify visitor demand and numbers, to explore linked business opportunities,
and advise on marketing and branding. Overall the study is to develop the
concept and identity of the Forest Park and form the basis of strategic planning
and future funding applications.
THE FOREST PARK SITES AT PRESENT
The Forest Park sites are generally undulating with steep gradients in some
places. Several have high vantage points affording views over the surrounding
areas. The sites have been planted with mixed tree species which are generally
becoming well established but are still many years from maturity.
It is apparent from Forestry Commission surveys that the visiting public prefers
mature woodland. There is not much mature woodland in Merseyside - Sefton
Coast Pine Woods being a notable exception – so the value of the Forest Park
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sites will increase significantly as they mature provided they are well maintained
and develop improved access and visitor facilities.
The sites are mostly well maintained in a fairly low key way. There are generally
litter-free with only limited evidence of vandalism. A network of paths on each
site is mostly in reasonable to good condition. However in Colliers Moss
maintenance has been limited because of uncertainty and changes in ownership
and management responsibilities and there is significant erosion of paths and
surfaces. There is little waymarking within the sites or between the sites with the
result that a casual visitor may feel a little intimidated about setting off to
unknown destinations.
A diverse range of habitats is developing in the Forest Park area. Remnants of
the mossland on which the colliery workings were sited remain. The sites include
acid and neutral grassland and heath whilst lagoons provide wetland habitats
and breeding sites for birds and dragonfly and damselfly species. Parcels of
mature woodland and the developing new woodland areas support increasingly
rich bird and small mammal populations.
One of the sites in this chain, Sutton Manor, was selected as the venue for a ‘Big
Art’ project. The Spanish artist Jaume Plensa was commissioned to create a
sculpture, celebrating the remarkable regeneration of the whole region. The
sculpture, entitled ‘Dream’, has a commanding site overlooking the M62 and
provides a landmark at the gateway to Merseyside. Installation of the sculpture
was completed in May 2009. It is expected to attract many visitors to the site and
has the potential to be a high profile icon for the Forest Park.
CURRENT USES AND ATTITUDES
No detailed research or recording has been undertaken to ascertain the current
uses of each site. However the observations of consultees and consultants
identify that most use of these sites is by local people, many of whom are
walking their dogs. There is a series of walks and some cycling organised by the
local rangers’ service. Health walks are supported by the Halton and St.Helens
Primary Care Trust, and organised by the Healthy Living Programme at Bold
Miners Neighbourhood and other agencies. Some school groups are known to
visit Sutton Manor but the lack of basic visitor facilities makes these uses
difficult at present.
Cyclists use the sites for off- road cycling and some more active mountain bikers
particularly use Colliers Moss and Sutton Manor. Local horse riders particularly
use Colliers Moss Common (South) as well as other sites. There is fishing on
Colliers Moss Common (North), and the lake at Clock Face Country Park. There
is evidence of the (illegal) riding of motorcycles and quad bikes on Sutton Manor
and on Colliers Moss; the Police have observed trailers bringing in motorbikes
and riders from outside the St.Helens area.
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The Mersey Forest Benchmark Survey of 20062 conducted surveys of residents
living near to woodlands in six areas within the Mersey Forest including
St.Helens. It showed a good level of awareness across the Mersey Forest area
of Sutton Manor (perhaps due to its prominent position next to the M62) but
much less awareness of Colliers Moss. However only 5% claimed to have
visited Sutton Manor and 1% to have visited Colliers Moss. In conclusion at the
present time, apart from a small number of exceptions the present visitor usage
of these sites is primarily from a local catchment area.
Attitudes to the Forest Park sites are nonetheless positive. Comments from the
Benchmark Survey include
Sutton Manor
“It has improved a lot in the past few years”.
“It is a good use of land and improvement to the local environment”.
“It used to be a tip, it turned the bad into the good”.
“It is good for wildlife, birds particularly”.
Colliers Moss
“It is a nice environment”.
“They transformed a derelict mine spillage area making it a tremendous local asset”.
“It is a nice quiet area”.
ACCESS AND PARKING FOR VISITORS
Access and parking facilities at the sites are of variable adequacy.
Colliers Moss South has adequate parking for current uses on the access
road from Bold Lane. Colliers Moss was under the management of the
Groundwork Trust for St.Helens until the Trust’s dissolution. The Trust
installed a large area of re-enforced hard standing for a proposed visitor
centre which has not been finished, and is currently unavailable for use.
Consideration would be needed as to whether this area would be appropriate
in planning terms in location and design as a car park.
Colliers Moss North: the site is only accessible on foot (or bicycle with some
difficulties) through pedestrian entries from residential areas and from
Colliers Moss South via a footbridge across the railway.
2
Mersey Forest Benchmark Survey March 2006. 35% of all respondents said they are
aware of Sutton Manor, with 12% aware of Colliers Moss.
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Wheatacre: Parking provision is limited to an area next to the Burtonwood
village play area; other access is by pedestrian/ bicycle entrances from
surrounding main roads.
Clock Face and Maypole: there is an adequate purpose-built car park at
Clock Face
Sutton Manor: the Smithy Manor public house on Jubits Lane abuts the site
and has extensive parking and hard-standing area. It is understood that the
brewery owners and tenants are happy for visitors to Dream and the Forest
Park to park in this area.
Security of vehicles at rather isolated parking places will be a concern for
potential users.
Current access controls aim to deter entry by large vehicles and traveller
encampments. This is achieved by large stones at entry points (Colliers Moss
South) and a height restriction by overhead barrier at Clock Face. Stiles
including ‘zig-zag’ stiles and narrow gateways are aimed to prevent entry by
motorbikes and motor vehicles, but they also restrict equestrian access and
disabled access. Absolute control of illegal entry and uses may not be possible
because the perimeter of the forest sites runs to many miles, so ongoing law
enforcement will be needed.
Entrances to the sites are mostly mundane and low-impact, though there are
exceptions such as high quality metal fencing and a re-erected colliery wheel at
Colliers Moss South and decorative ironwork at a pedestrian entrance to Colliers
Moss North on Brookway Lane.
CURRENT FACILITIES FOR VISITORS
None of the sites has a visitor centre or toilets. There are, of course, public
houses in the area but only the Smithy Manor at Sutton Manor is adjacent to a
Forest Park site.
This lack of visitor facilities and the variable parking and access provision are
real obstacles to greater use. Forestry Commission visitor surveys3 regularly
record that the most important requirements of visitors are quite basic: parking
where they believe the car will be safe, clean toilets and some decent
refreshments.
CURRENT MANAGEMENT
The Forestry Commission manages several of the sites:
3
See www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5pgazz
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Sutton Manor- on 99 year lease
Brickfields – on 99 year lease
Wheatacre – freehold
Maypole – freehold
The Forestry Commission does not have site-specific ranger services but
manages the sites from its North West base at Delamere, so that presence on
the sites is only periodic.
The local authority manages Clock Face which is designated as a Country Park
and is overseen by the Council’s ranger service.
Management of Colliers Moss is under review following the demise of the
Groundwork Trust when ownership reverted to the Crown Commissioners.
Forward arrangements are to be decided.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE FOREST PARK AREA
There is a cluster of equestrian businesses in the Forest Park area, both north
and south of the M62 motorway, and there appears to be a strong demand for
equestrian activities and livery in the area. These businesses have made
significant recent investment and offer a full coverage of products and activities,
and so are quite self-sufficient. Their use of the woodland areas is limited and it
has proved difficult to achieve physical links from their premises because of
busy roads. These businesses are nonetheless a strong asset base for the
Forest Park.
There are (privately owned) fishing waters at Moss Nook, immediately adjacent
to Colliers Moss North that could be promoted as part of the Forest Park offer.
The Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club (MVGCC) offers an 18-hole course
just to the south of the M62 at Bold Heath. This is a members’ club but it
welcomes visiting golfers and provides golf lessons to non-members (including a
discounted rate for juniors) and fishing lessons for beginners in its two fishing
lakes. The owners are interested in extending their leisure offer, particularly to
include adult team-building activities and overnight accommodation in timber
lodges. Any built development in this Green Belt location will need a strong case
to be made that it is supporting the development of the uses of the Forest Park.
LOCAL STRATEGIC CONTEXT
Physical transformation, the strengthening of the visitor economy and
development of leisure opportunities are important strands of the City Growth
Strategy – St.Helens’ long-term project-based regeneration strategy. Specific
project inclusions are:
Action Area A3 – Strengthening Key Sectors: Tourism Development Initiative
- Maximising the Borough’s visitor economy within the wider regional context
via intensive industry support, plus product development and packaging.
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Action Area A3 – Strengthening Key Sectors: Rural Economy Development Dedicated support to develop enterprise, unlock economic opportunities in
the Borough’s rural areas, and deliver the Rural Economy Action Plan
(REAP). Studies are now underway to support development of the REAP.
Action Area C1 - Leisure Location of Choice: South St.Helens Forest Park Transforming the area around Sutton Manor into a major new regional
outdoor recreation centre, catalysed by the Big Art Project.
Action Area D1 – Visually Exciting St.Helens :Big Art Project, Dream artwork
overlooking the M62, in association with Channel 4’s Big Art Project
Action Area D1 – Visually Exciting St.Helens: Town in the Forest: Connecting
the urban centre with the Mersey Forest and community woodlands via
improvement to the natural environment along key road gateways into
St.Helens.
THE PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT
St.Helens Council is the responsible planning authority. The council is in the
process of developing its new Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF
together with the Regional Spatial Strategy will eventually replace the Unitary
Development Plan which was adopted in 1998 and has been “saved” until the
LDF replaces it.
As part of the LDF the Council is preparing a Core Strategy which will set out the
Vision, Aims and Objectives for the development of the Borough to 2025. At the
time of writing the Council had issued a ‘Preferred Options Paper’ (November
2007) which sets out its preferred approach and policy objectives following
public consultation and a Publication version of the document has been issued
in the summer of 2009. This document will then be subject to an examination in
public following which a series of other Core Strategy Development Plan
Documents will be prepared. The Council has also agreed to create an Area
Action Plan for the Forest Park area which will provide a statutory framework for
development of the Forest Park.
The Core Strategy (and related documents) will need to comply with spatial
planning policy context set by the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West
of England to 2021 published in September 2008.
The Regional Spatial Strategy includes policies relevant to any change of use of
sites which make up the St.Helens Forest Park, relating to the retention of the
Green Belt (RDF4), the promotion of environmental quality (DP7) and green
infrastructure (EM3). Policies EM1 Integrated Enhancement and Protection of
the Region’s Environmental Assets and EM2 Remediating Contaminated Land
are also relevant. The St.Helens Core Strategy (and any related development
plan documents) will need to comply with and supplement this policy framework.
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The existing Unitary Development Plan was adopted in July 1998. The majority
of policies from this plan have been ‘saved’ and will remain in force from a three
year period from 27th September 2007. These policies will be applied to any
development proposals relating to the sites submitted before the Local
Development Framework is adopted.
Policies of specific relevance to the Forest Park sites include:
S1/GB1 Green Belt status
ENV 5 Sites of Community Wildlife Interest and Local Nature Reserves
ENV 10 The Mersey Forest
ENV 20 Landscape Renewal
GB 10 Recreational Developments
REC 5: Strategic Footpaths and Cycleways
The overarching context provided by these policies is one of protection to the
quality and amenity of the sites as part of the Mersey Forest and an expectation
that they will be used for informal recreation consistent with the objectives of the
Green Belt and maintenance of bio-diversity.
The sites which make up the Forest Park are situated to the south of the
Borough. They all (bar one) lie within the defined rural area and are included in
the St.Helens Green Belt. The exception is the Brickfields site which is included
within the St.Helens urban area. The Sutton Manor site lies within the Southern
Corridor Investment Area.
The policy proposals of the Core Strategy have implications for the Forest Park
sites. These include contributing to Green Infrastructure (Policy CQL 1) and the
positive use of the rural areas (Policy CAS 5) which includes providing
opportunities for access, outdoor sport and recreation.
In addition the Core strategy proposes the preparation of an Area Action Plan for
the Forest Park which, among other things, will develop an access network and
encourage the provision of facilities to encourage local and tourist visits
including the support of local businesses.
The Forest Park remains within the Green Belt and as such the Core strategy
will reinforce the need for development to comply with green belt policy.
Any formal or informal recreation uses of the Forest Park sites will need to meet
the requirements of these policies. Whilst the overarching context is one of
protection, the detail of policies (such as REC 5) is supportive of the
proportionate development of Forest Park sites to provide opportunities for
access to the open countryside for the urban population, to provide opportunities
for sport and outdoor recreation near urban areas and to develop networks of
footpaths, cycle paths and green space.
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Proposals for development and change of use to provide opportunities for sport
and outdoor recreation should be proportionate and will need to satisfy the
Council that the nature conservation interest can be safeguarded. Any new
infrastructure or buildings should be directly related to operational requirements
(in relation to sport and recreation, access and interpretation) and be designed
in order to have the minimal possible impact upon biodiversity.
Any development proposals will also need to take into account of
The need to sustain quiet enjoyment and public access
The role of the green spaces as protection against urban extension and a
buffer between the motorway and residential areas
The need for people to travel to and between the sites using sustainable
modes of transport (on foot, cycle, bus, train)
Inevitable constraints on development of other sites in rural area (both
existing and new) for complementary product
St.Helens along with the boroughs of Warrington and Halton has been accorded
Growth Point status which means that 19,500 new houses are planned by
2017. There is a requirement on the local authorities to put forward plans for
green infrastructure. The Forest Park sites offer an outstanding opportunity to
provide high quality footpaths, cycle paths and open spaces for recreation.
POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS
The Forest Park is within reach of a very large population.
It is estimated that
298,000 people live within a 15 minute drive time
661,000 live within a 20 minute drive time
2,065,000 live within a 30 minute drive time
In the 30 minute drive time area there is considerable social deprivation with
almost 1 in 10 of the people living in the areas of most multiple deprivation.
Within St.Helens there is concern at the low levels of participation in active
exercise and problems of health and obesity in the population. So the Forest
Park is a very valuable local resource to encourage greater take-up of physical
exercise.
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SOUTH RIBBLE
CHORLEY
BLACKBURN
WITH DARWEN
BURY
BOLTON
WEST LANCASHIRE
WIGAN
SALFORD
SEFTON
ST. HELENS
MANCHESTER
KNOWSLEY
St Helens Forest Park
TRAFFORD
LIVERPOOL
WARRINGTON
WIRRAL
HALTON
MACCLESFIELD
ELLESMERE PORT AND NESTON
VALE ROYAL
CHESTER
15, 20 and 30 minute drive time and 20 mile radius
The predominant socio-economic groups in St.Helens are C1/C2 who make up
49% of the population, with a further 35% in D and E groups. The largest
Mosaic4 group in St.Helens and surrounding areas is the Ties of Community
group which is characterised by sensible and self-reliant people who work hard
to achieve a comfortable and independent lifestyle. This group tend to younger
than average and have more dependent children than average.
4
Mosaic is a market segmentation system which classifies consumers by income, sociodemographics, culture and behaviour to present a picture of the lifestyle and consumer
choices of neighbourhoods.
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JULY 2009
4 THE FOREST PARK CONCEPT
A ‘DESTINATION FOR ADVENTUROUS SPORTS’
The Brief refers to the Forest Park as a ‘visitor destination for adventurous
sports’. The concept of a destination for active recreation that generates income
and business activity implies a degree of investment, infrastructure and change
to the character of the forest area and therefore will call for a judgement about
the degree of change that is manageable and acceptable to the site owners,
managers and community, and in accordance with the planning regime.
A ‘destination’ will to a greater or lesser degree have an impact on
The physical realm: certain activities could create surface erosion or require
some clearance/ thinning of woodland; to what extent is that acceptable, if at
all?
Wildlife habitat: what degree and area of disruption by active leisure and
infrastructure is acceptable?
Quiet enjoyment by local people: paid-for activities are likely to require areas
to be fenced off and installation of equipment such as assault course items
that is visually intrusive. To what extent is that acceptable, if at all?
There will be a range of activities and intensities of use that are possible –
examined in Section 5 below. But judgements have to be made about what is
desirable. A fully commercial approach might necessitate substantial buildings
and structures and considerable changes to the planting and character of the
site.
We have taken the view that the impact of development should be limited and
that the nature of the sites should not change radically. In other words activities
should use the existing terrain and topography and preserve a forest character.
That judgement is influenced by the following considerations
The local planning framework and other policy constraints
The size and capacity of the sites both in terms of the numbers of people
they can accommodate and of the scale of infrastructure and activities they
can support
The quality and setting of the sites which impacts on their ability to attract
visitors and therefore also attract private sector investment
The availability or potential for visitor facilities, parking, refreshments etc
The scale of the potential markets
Competition from other sites and options for recreation in the defined travel
time area and beyond
The potential for businesses in the area to respond to and profit from the
concept
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JULY 2009
We assess these in relation to the Forest Park sites as follows:
Criteria
Planning and policy
framework
Site scale and capacity
Site and setting quality
Forest Park Characteristics
See above, Section 3. Green Belt restrictions but a
presumption in favour of minimum development to support
active uses. Council policy is to increase woodland cover and
mitigate Climate Change.
The Forest Park is fragmented into several sites. Taken
together the sites are extensive and allow for active pursuits in
some areas with limited impact on quiet enjoyment of the
environment and wildlife in the Forest Park as a whole.
Surrounding areas are generally quite urbanised and not
especially attractive. Entrances to sites currently non-descript
but capable of aesthetic improvement through landscaping
and planting. Traffic noise in some places especially parts of
Sutton Manor affected by the M62.
Young community woodland; planted largely with native
species. Requires further growth and careful husbandry and
variety of planting to improve appearance and bio-diversity.
Thinning of woodland will be needed in time.
The sites generally do not have exceptional views as vicinities
include housing estates, industrial premises, major roads etc.
However there are long-distance views in all directions from
the site of the Dream sculpture, which will be a beacon
feature.
Nature and topography
of the sites
Visitor facilities
Market potential
The sites are fragmented but a (potentially) good network of
paths within and between sites makes them attractive for
walking and off-road cycling. Equestrian access is more
limited. Undulating character of several sites is good for
mountain boarding and easy mountain-biking. Not the terrain
to permit them to become a ‘centre of excellence’ for extreme
activities.
Limited water on most sites, but Colliers Moss South has a
lake with potential for fishing and low-key water activities such
as canoe and diving training. There is fishing at an adjacent
site at Moss Nook.
No site has dedicated visitor reception facilities but there
would be potential to provide them (subject to planning and
finance) at various locations on the sites. A visitor centre and
parking area was formerly planned for Colliers Moss South.
The Smithy Manor public house at Sutton Manor offers
refreshments, toilets and adequate parking.
Very large population within 20 and 30 minute catchment area;
significant deprivation in some areas; low participation in
active exercise in St.Helens.
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Competition
JULY 2009
Little open access countryside in Merseyside, but mature
woodland e.g. at Sefton Coast and Delamere Forest, the latter
with easy mountain biking and high ropes activity. Adjacent
local authority areas e.g. Wigan, Bolton and Salford etc have
extensive urban fringe/ river valley country parks. The 15 mile
Sankey Valley which enters St.Helens Borough has
opportunities or walking, cycling, play, nature observation etc.
There is no outdoor multi activity centre in 15-20 minute
catchment. Knowsley Park offers high-wires course, safari
rides, children’s farm etc, commercially priced. A Go Ape has
opened recently at Rivington north of Bolton.
Map Challenges offers team-building and assault course
activities near Skelmersdale just off the M58 and Rock and
River near Ormskirk offers activity days featuring canoeing,
archery, raft -building etc on a converted farm; the latter facility
is said to be popular with St.Helens schools and has school
rooms and camping barn etc. A comment from senior PE staff
to the effect that the Forest Park would have to have better
facilities than Rock and River to win over school use. Apple
Jacks Adventure Parks near Warrington offers a roller rink,
mazes, archery, pedal carts etc, aimed at a family market.
There is an apparent shortage of caravan and camping sites
on Merseyside.
‘Serious’ walkers and mountain bikers etc likely to go to the
Lake District, North Wales or Yorkshire Dales. NWDA and
Cumbria Tourism are investing in ‘Adventure Capital UK’ a
programme to develop Cumbria as the UK’s leading
destination for outdoor experiences.
Business Potential
The five equestrian centres in the area potentially could
benefit from improved access to the Forest Park and from
increased customer awareness. The Mersey Valley Golf Club
is interested in extending its leisure offer, and could include
adult team-building activities in the Forest Park. Public houses
and community centres in the area stand to benefit from
increased footfall.
Our conclusion is that the Forest Park is a valuable and (literally) a growing
asset for the town. But while the local community value it they use it sparingly at
present. Its appeal to visitors currently is marginal; it still presents itself mostly as
reclaimed land on the urban fringe. It is not highly differentiated from other urban
fringe countryside within the region. Even with future years of growth and
maturity it will not stand out from many other sites.
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JULY 2009
The best prospect for attracting more use from visitors and local people is to
develop an offer of ‘soft adventure’ - a range of safe but demanding activities
aimed mostly at beginners and ‘dabblers’, at young family groups, other young
people and organised school and youth groups. There is potential for organised
adult team-building also if facilities are provided to an acceptable standard - the
existing and planned facilities at Mersey Valley Golf Club could be a base for
this.
More use by local people can be generated by the housing developments
anticipated in the Growth Point initiative provided good physical linkages (paths
and cycleways) are provided and care and good husbandry make the Forest
Park sites increasingly attractive as they mature. Ready access to high quality
outdoor spaces is a key component of ‘liveable’ places and successful
regeneration.
The Forest Park would be an excellent venue for ‘Green Gym’ activities, as
organised by the BTCV. Green Gym groups offer opportunities to keep fit by
engaging in volunteer activities such as managing vegetation or building seats
and paths.
More intensive public uses will require investment and visitor infrastructure. We
believe the nature of the sites and the scale of the commercial opportunity
means development should start modestly and proceed by stages as viability is
demonstrated.
A main ‘visitor hub’ is an essential – a centre on one of the sites with visitor
reception and facilities, including refreshments and car parking. A programme of
activities would be organised and coordinated from that point. Some may be
‘pay and play’ on the main site, developed and run commercially and they will
probably require designated and secured areas for security of infrastructure and
safety of users.
There are operational reasons for siting activities on one site initially, which
intensifies use there but also limits impact on the Forest Park as a whole. Other
activities may be programmed on other sites with transport available from the
visitor hub. The menu of activity can include opportunities on the privately owned
sites, such as the equestrian centres, Moss Nook fishing waters and the Mersey
Valley Golf Club. The intention is that their offer will be marketed from this point,
and that customers will be able to buy a portfolio of activities. These businesses
could become ‘preferred suppliers’ to the Forest Park. Current opportunities are
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Learn to ride a pony / horse
Horse Riding improver courses
Stables experience courses
Show jumping, cross country and dressage improver courses
Learn to fish courses
Improver course for fishing
Equipment and pitch hire for fishing
Learn to play golf
21
•
•
JULY 2009
Improver course for golfers
Golf equipment hire and green fees
This is similar to the successful marketing of active recreation in Cumbria where
accommodation providers can sell outdoor experiences offered by specialist
providers direct to their customers.
Development of the activity programme will also create opportunities for local
businesses (existing and new) to develop offers based on the Forest Park sites.
These are likely to include the temporary provision of a range of activities (i.e.
mobile climbing walls, mountain bike training courses, archery and laser combat
and the seasonal provision of forest experience courses, camping, bushcraft etc.
We expect visitors who come for outdoor activities to be drawn largely from a 20
to 30 minute travel time because there are alternative options available in the
Liverpool/ Manchester conurbation and the successful forest park at Delamere is
within fairly easy reach. Local people will continue to be significant users of the
sites.
The sites will remain open access for walkers and cyclists with some potential to
levy car parking charges at the main visitor hub.
A COMPARATOR: ROSLISTON FORESTRY CENTRE
A model for a ‘soft adventure’ venue that has developed by stages is the
Rosliston Forestry Centre near Burton on Trent, within the National Forest area.
This is a semi-rural location, less populated than the St.Helens Forest Park area
but roughly 15 miles from Derby and 20 miles from Birmingham. Most of the
activities offered by Rosliston take place on the site.
Rosliston is a 62 hectare site of former farmland on gently undulating terrain. It was
planted as a community forest in 1994-6 so the woodland is still maturing. A fishing
lake was dug in 2000. There is a system of well-marked paths and cycle routes
through the site.
Before 1999 there was no visitor centre and visitors were estimated at 12,000 a
year. At that point the site was leased by South Derbyshire District Council for 10
years to Aurora, a management company.
Aurora has overseen the development of the facilities. It has not put in capital but
has worked closely with the Forestry Commission, the local authority and the subregional regeneration body DDEP to secure external funding including from
sponsors (especially Rolls Royce) and from the Lottery to develop facilities and to
support the activities programme. The company receives a management fee from
the Council and a percentage of income from parking, activities and the café
franchise etc.
Aurora staff live onsite. Vehicle access to the large car park and overflow area is
controlled by barrier between 7.00 a.m. and c. 7.00 p.m. There is a car park charge
22
JULY 2009
of £1.50. but access on foot or cycle is free.
Following the most recent £1.5m investment there is now an extensive visitor centre
with
Reception and shop
Interpretative displays about the activities, wildlife and forestry
The Barn Room – a large room for meetings and groups and indoor activities
Small meeting room
Toilets – very well-maintained
Cycle centre and store
Soft indoor play room for young children
A well-equipped Environmental and Education room
Craft Shop
‘Hub in the Forest’ café – which has about 60 seats plus outside tables; open
daily (franchised out)
A children’s adventure play area for children to about 12 years
The investment also supported development of four timber lodges in the park, each
able to accommodate up to 10 people for staying visits. They are popular with
schools.
There are two memorial gardens where trees are planted in the name of loved ones.
The park achieved Green Flag status in 2007.
The main programme of the Centre is promoted as ‘Get Active in the Forest ‘. There
is a regular programme with something happening every afternoon in summer and
school holidays. Sessions include
falconry
laser combat
archery
cycling in groups (hire available)
orienteering
wall climbing (mobile unit)
fishing (day licences)
yoga
Tai Chi
Most activities are reasonably priced – often £1.50 a session. There are also group
activity opportunities. Activities are run by Aurora from the Centre with about five
staff plus sessional helpers and with some input from the local authority’s Sports
Development staff. The provision of the Barn Room has enabled the programme to
be broadened to include indoor activities such as yoga. The programme won the
national Sports Council England Best Sports Project 2008.
The local authority supports an Environment Education project on the site which
takes day visits from school groups who can take part in the Get Active programme
and also stay overnight in the Lodges.
Attendance at Rosliston is now estimated at 190,000 a year, of which 71% are from
within an hour’s journey time, and a further 8% on a longer day trip from home. The
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JULY 2009
site is very popular with parents with younger children and it is noticeable that many
locals come for the café, visitor centre and play area.
Entrance and car park at Rosliston
Signpost to named trails and facilities at Rosliston
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JULY 2009
Café at Rosliston
Mobile climbing wall at Rosliston
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JULY 2009
5 OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSED
In this section we assess a range of potential outdoor activity uses and
opportunities for their compatibility with the sites and with the ‘soft adventure’
concept.
There is a healthy public appetite for outdoor recreation and the forms that it
takes have diversified in recent years. Much of the innovation has been driven
by commercial interests. For example Centre Parcs introduced the packaged
outdoor recreation experience to the British market, offering activities in a safe,
forest environment. Go Ape operates more than 20 high wire sites. Mountainboarding on downhill slopes is increasingly popular. Farmers have diversified
towards leisure uses such as caravanning and camping, outdoor activities and
expanded equestrian centres.
However the private sector will only provide opportunities where it can generate
a viable income. Some forms of recreation generate little income directly –
cycling, walking and skate park activities included. Income can be generated
indirectly through catering at local pubs or cafés but the footfall has to be
significant for stand-alone facilities on-site to be viable. So the economy of large
outdoor spaces is often mixed, with the public sector the provider and maintainer
of the venues while some of the fee-paying activities and refreshment facilities
are provided by the private sector. In the following review of activities we
indicate which might be provided by the private sector and which will require
public sector provision or support.
WALKING AND CYCLING - BASIC ROUTES
The majority of visitors to forest sites still simply come to walk, often with a dog.
A significant minority come to jog or to cycle off-road without indulging in
extreme mountain biking. Walking, jogging and off-road cycling do not generate
income directly so provision requires public sector support.
Requirements are pretty straight-forward but are not fully met at present.
Walkers and cyclists require
Well-maintained paths and tracks with surfaces that drain well
Circular walks and rides of varying lengths through pleasant and/or
interesting settings
Interpretation of heritage and nature
Signage and waymarking within the sites
Signed connections between the sites to create a longer trail
Paths and tracks in the Forest Park are generally in good condition and they
require regular maintenance of surfaces rather than wholesale reconstruction.
(Some particular problem areas are mentioned in the site descriptions later).
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JULY 2009
An essential step forward is to designate main circular routes on each site, and
also to designate a main route (with spurs) to connect all the sites.
The suggested circular and connecting routes are shown on the plan in Section
9 below where they are described in more detail. Utilising a mix of public rights
of way and permissive footpaths it is relatively straightforward to identify circuits
extending from around 1km (0.62 miles) for a short route on Sutton Manor to
some 21.26 km (13.21miles) as shown below taking in circuits and links between
sites. This length of route can mark out the Forest Park from most other country
parks and make it attractive especially to off-road cyclists.
Overview of site areas, circuit lengths and network links
Brickfields North
Brickfields East
Brickfields South
Sutton Manor
Clock Face
Maypole
Griffin Wood
Fresh Forest
Site area
Ha
Acres
25.0
61.8
2.1
5.2
13.9
34.3
65.5
161.9
20.9
51.6
16.0
39.5
16.9
41.8
8.1
20.0
Wheatacre
Colliers Moss South
Colliers Moss North
MVGCC
Overall
45.0
51.9
59.3
50.6
375.2
111.2
128.3
142.3
125.0
922.9.
Brickfields South
Link to ...
Sutton Manor
Link to....
Clock Face
Maypole
Link to ...
Wheatacre
Colliers Moss
South
Colliers Moss North
Overall
Circuit length and links
Km
Miles
1.34
0.83
0.84
0.52
2.61
1.62
2.02
1.26
2.07
1.29
0.93
0.58
1.28
0.80
3.61
2.24
4.00
2.56
2.49
1.59
21.26
13.21
Effective signage is particularly important if people are to be able to navigate
individual sites. It is absolutely essential for the development of any longer
routes and circuits
Each designated route should be named, for example Sutton Manor Circuit. At
main entry point there should be signposts with distances, and maps with
information about the sites.
Routes should be colour-coded
to be easily identified by coloured
marker posts. Key points on the
routes should be marked by
numbered marker posts, to be
identified on the map of the sites
displayed at entry points and
available as a leaflet and
downloadable from the internet.
(Colour-coded marker post at
Rosliston).
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ACCESS FOR LESS ABLE AND DISABLED PERSONS
There are many areas in the Forest Park sites with flat and sound path surfaces
suitable for persons with limited mobility or in wheelchairs. Most will come by car
so car parks should be designed with disabled users in mind – with designated
bays and routes into the park areas unobstructed by curbs etc.
However it is difficult to maintain access for wheelchair users, pedestrians with
pushchairs and cyclists while limiting access for motorcyclists. There are various
designs of barrier that aim to do this – the A frame, K Frame and staggered
barriers for example. But they make access for legitimate users more difficult
while often becoming targets for vandalism by illegitimate users and they
become a maintenance liability for the park management. In reality it is virtually
impossible to prevent access by determined motorbikers to lengthy linear routes
and country parks.
In our view it is better in principle to have as few barriers as possible to
encourage maximum legitimate use, using barriers only where there is clear
safety reason to do so – for example on stretches of well-used path where
complaints about motorcycle use have been received. Sometimes temporary
use of barriers can change patterns of behaviour. Entry by motor cars may be
prevented by bollards that allow other users unimpeded access. This does mean
that some level of illegal motorbike use will continue and continuing education
and enforcement action by the Police and park managers will be necessary.
Clear information about disabled access is required in any literature or website
describing the sites.
ORIENTEERING AND CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING
Orienteering is compatible with other uses and has a low impact on the
environment. All that is required is the creation of maps and target locations. It is
understood that some orienteering already takes place through a local club and
the Forest Park would be a suitable location for orienteering competitive events
(though they are unlikely to generate significant income) The bringing together of
the Forest Park sites into a network will increase its attractiveness for
orienteering.
Cross country competitive events already take place at Sherdley Park which has
more suitable ground conditions than the Forest Park.
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JULY 2009
CYCLE SKILLS, TRICKS AND 4-CROSS
A ‘skills area’ would provide more daring routes and obstacles for bikers and
would be particularly popular with young males especially in the 16-24 age
group. 4 cross is a mix of mountain biking and BMX cycling and the sport is
growing rapidly across the country both competitively and recreationally. Cyclists
use a track of around 100-200 metres in length featuring turns, jumps and other
obstacles. Tracks are constructed making as much use as possible of the
natural terrain to provide jumps and materials for obstacles although some
material may need to be imported to site to provide a sufficiently sturdy and hard
wearing base for the track.
A course could be constructed within a lightly wooded area provided a
sufficiently wide track is provided. A skills area or track would be compatible with
other uses on the site particularly at Sutton Manor or Colliers Moss South but
will need to show warning signs about speeding bikes and to be physically
demarcated; at Delamere demarcation is done with foot rails.
Foot rails (left) and part of the 4 Cross track at Delamere Forest Park
A cycle skills area will not generate significant income but British Cycling
suggests that the Forest Park could host a national series 4 cross competitive
event – which would create profile. It may be possible to enlist help with
maintenance from a local mountain-biking club.
BMX AND OTHER TRACK-BASED CYCLING
A competition track for BMX cycle racing would be around 300-400m with jumps,
bump and berms (banked corners) and starting gate. BMX racing has caught the
attention of the International Olympic Committee and BMX is now an Olympic
sport. Cycle Speedway uses a shorter, flat course of around 70-90 metres with
competitors sprinting in short races of around four laps.
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JULY 2009
In our view track-based racing is less compatible with the informal nature of
Forest Park than other forms of cycling. It would require fencing and ideally
lighting together with a high standard of maintenance and supervision. Provision
of a track or tracks would be expensive – a competition standard BMX
installation costing up to £400,000 and a cycle speedway around £150,000. By
contrast participants tend to pay very modest entrance fees.and so is not a
commercial proposition.
For these reasons we do not recommend competition tracks as a priority for the
Forest Park, but if they were to be developed the former football pitch at Sutton
Manor would be a suitable venue.
A simple BMX track aimed at young children could however be provided in
association with adventure play area suggested below. There is an example of a
track of this modest scale at Sankey Valley Park in Warrington.
BIKE HIRE AND BIKE TRAINING
Bike hire tends to be only marginally profitable. The experience at Delamere is
that bike training sessions and bike maintenance instruction is more profitable
than the hire activity. In our view bike hire and training would not be viable as a
stand-alone business at the Forest Park until visitor numbers have grown
significantly. It might work as an add-on to another commercial operation (such
as mountain boarding) where staff are already employed and there is a visitor
centre base from which to operate.
ADVENTURE PLAY AREA
An adventure play area would be aimed at children younger than the age group
for a ropes and assault course (see below). Adventure play areas are very good
draws for the family market but users are not used to paying for them in an open
park situation. So they generate much footfall and interest but income only
indirectly such as café and parking income.
There is a growing support for ‘natural play’ in reaction to the conformity of
swings and roundabouts. Grassy mounds, innovative planting, timber decking,
trees, water, bridges and boulders complemented by modern well designed play
equipment can create an exciting and challenging space to play.The landform of
the Forest Park lends itself well to this approach.
It is normal to place an adventure play area for children in a prominent position
and behind a fence for security and exclusion of dogs, so there will be an
environmental impact. Again, construction in natural materials can reduce that
impact.
As families often have children of different ages it is good practice to provide a
separate segregated ‘toddlers’ play area for the very young.
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Cost is a main issue; the capital cost can easily be £100,000 or more, and
regular cleansing and maintenance is essential – costs that most likely fall on
the park management.
SKATE PARK
Purpose-built skate parks provide for three groups of users – skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX bikers. Each has their own specific requirement, but all
share similar equipment such as ramps, half pipes and bowls. The sport is
increasingly popular especially among young males.
There are several outdoor skate facilities in St.Helens and the district including
at Mesnes Park, Newton le Willows and a floodlit facility at Victoria Park. There
is also the largest indoor centre at Rampworx Liverpool which is run on a
commercial basis. However outdoor skate parks are generally provided as part
of youth provision and do not generate significant income.
Unfortunately outdoor skate parks can attract an anti-social minority and
unsupervised facilities can suffer vandalism, graffiti etc. Noise is another
concern for residents so that facilities are sometimes built on industrial parks or
sea-fronts as well as in public parks.
An outdoor skate park could feasibly be constructed in the Forest Park, using
the undulating landform to support some of the shapes and obstacles. However
concerns about supervision and maintenance suggest that a major facility would
be better placed in a more urban area accessible for the target user groups.
Local residents in the Gorsey Lane and Burtonwood area have apparently
requested additional local facilities for children/teenagers including a skate park.
It would be feasible to add a community-scale facility onto the playground there,
sited a little away from the play area to reduce noise and perceived conflict of
user groups.
HORSE-RIDING
There is significant existing provision in the local area for equine activity with five
centres operating in the Forest Park area both north and south of the motorway.
The centres provide livery stables, indoor and outdoor arenas, competitions and
events, farm rides and cross country, lessons and supported hacking.
There is very limited connectivity between each of the centres, and between
each centre and the Forest Park. The recent bridleway project tried to identify
the necessary connections. The local road network is not considered safe for
managed rides. There is the need – not easily met – for improved highway
crossings for riders at key points. This is elaborated in Section 9 below. The
motorway is a major barrier and the two potential ways under and over it are not
available – the underpass on the former mineral line being permanently flooded
and the agricultural bridge not accessible.
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Our discussions with the British Horse Society’s (BHS) North West Access
Officer indicate that the main gap in provision is links between the various public
rights of way and bridleways to develop a substantial network. Decent long
circuits start at 15 kms and extend upwards and creation of such a route would
greatly improve the equestrian potential and should be the primary objective.
The potential for an equestrian network is considered in detail in section 9
below.
Access controls on motor bikes also prevent horse access, so improvements or
removal of barriers at key places is desirable. Ideally, segregated paths should
be provided for horse traffic but users can generally co-exist and it is very
unlikely that networks will have to deal with groups of riders, walkers and cyclists
arriving at the same point at the same time. Practical improvements for riders
could include mounting blocks and tie rings at or near access points to the sites.
Though equine use is unlikely to generate much income for the Forest Park, the
equestrian centres could be asked to contribute to access and other
improvements that benefit their users and businesses.
MOUNTAIN BOARDING
Mountain boarding is akin to snowboarding without snow – a downhill ride on a
board equipped with wheels that are significantly larger than on a skateboard. Its
popularity is growing and there are believed to be about 16 dedicated centres for
it in England and Wales, the nearest to St.Helens being at Carnforth and
Chester. Many are on farm sites. The main requirement is a suitable hillside with
normally little needed to create suitable routes, jumps and obstacles.
The centres are commercial, generating income from entry fees, equipment hire
and sales and tuition. Investment required is low – the cost of boards and
protective equipment, possibly a tow-truck, reception/ office and storage space.
The Forest Park appears very suitable for
mountain boarding and two operators have
expressed initial interest. It is compatible with
other uses provided its area is demarcated and
signed to warn other visitors of the boards
travelling at speed.
The south face of Sutton Manor would appear a
suitable area; there are open areas that are
largely screened by planting and landform which
would reduce visual intrusion both on the rest of
the site and on the motorway. However even a
fleeting view of the activity from the motorway would be a powerful
advertisement for the soft adventure concept.
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ADVENTURE SPORTS: HIGH ROPES, LOW ROPES, ASSAULT COURSES
Many outdoor adventure centres across the UK have ropes or assault courses.
Some place the activity alongside established outdoor pursuits such as climbing,
walking and watersports and are often located in areas such as the Peak District
or mid-Wales.
Ropes facilities appeal to organised groups, for provision of corporate and
management team-building through to schools, youth groups and birthday
parties. The high ropes course is often regarded as one of the main attractions
at the venue. However, Sutton Manor could not offer high ropes within a tree
canopy setting and there is an established facility relatively close by (at
Knowsley Safari Park) so it is recommended that emphasis be placed on
building a top quality adventure/ assault course to offer a high- end experience
of a slightly different kind.
Several UK-based companies5 specialise in the tailored design and installation
of high/low ropes courses. The cost of a varied and imaginative ropes course is
almost unlimited. High quality installations in the UK have typically cost
£100,000 - £150,000. Developers would expect to work within a budget and
tailor a design accordingly.
A ropes and assault course would be a commercial proposition, requiring staff to
provide instruction and supervision, and charging for admission.
The landform of the Forest Park would provide opportunities for an imaginative
course but parts of it may have to be fenced so there would be an impact on the
environment. Construction in timber and natural materials would lesson that
impact as would a suitable location and screening with trees.
Climbing and bouldering (climbing on smaller pieces of rock or artificial
surfaces supported by scaffold to about 4m in height to develop technique) often
takes place indoors but could be provided outdoors provided it is supervised in
conjunction with a ropes and assault course. An alternative is a mobile climbing
wall brought in on a trailer.
LASER GAMES
Paintball combat games have been around for many years and there are at least
100 locations and many operators in the UK. Laser combat is more recent but
with improved equipment (using invisible and harmless infra-red light rather than
actual lasers) it is promoted as a very safe activity that avoids the mess and
5
Two such companies are the Tumblehome & Prussick and Outdoor Resources Ltd.
Both companies offer a wide range of design and build options; T & P stress safety and
construction standards in all of its materials along with its background in construction
and engineering while O R highlights its development of over 70 courses worldwide.
33
JULY 2009
bruises that paintball can create; it is less important with laser combat than for
paintball to have a bounded site. Laser clay pigeon shooting is another option.
The Forest Park sites, particularly Sutton Manor and Colliers Moss South, could
provide good settings, preferably in quieter areas. The activity could be provided
by a commercial operator under licence.
34
JULY 2009
WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES
There are ponds and lakes
throughout the Forest Park sites, the
largest being the lake at Colliers
Moss South. A range of activities
could be supported there including
easy canoeing, open water swimming
and sub-aqua. It would be particularly
suitable for team-based activities
such as raft-building and would
complement the overall package of
outdoor pursuits and team building
activities. For safety reasons any open-water activity should be permitted only
under supervision.
Supervised water activities can be compatible with fishing and will have little
effect on fish stocks.6 An on-site operator would look to provide management
and maintenance of the fishing rights at Colliers Moss through the sale of day
tickets open to all. Stock conservation and regular replenishment would need to
be managed in return for the revenue stream. Fishing platforms would enhance
the experience.
MVGCC’s fishing lakes operate as a
members’ only club but offer taster
sessions with tuition to beginners.
Consideration could be given to allowing
day tickets for family or group users
(conditions to be set by the club itself).
The lake at Colliers Moss South
MOTOR SPORTS
St.Helens Forest Park sites have problems with unauthorised motorbike use, in
common with many urban areas. Motorbike use is noisy, degrades surfaces and
is likely to intrude on the enjoyment of others. Designation of a site would be
strongly opposed by local people. Siting away from housing would be critical.
6
Environment Agency Research and Development document W266 “The effect of
canoeing on fish stocks and angling” found “canoeing has little
or no impact on fish stocks”.
35
JULY 2009
There is nonetheless a case for development of an approved site where the
activity might be contained and controlled; but we do not recommend an open
access motorbike track within the Forest Park sites. A track for trail bikes was in
fact installed at Colliers Moss South but it is short and without regular
maintenance has become badly eroded. A permitted track would require fencing
for security but in practice it would be very difficult to restrict use to a specified
area. Significantly the Forestry Commission has resisted calls for permitted
motor bike use throughout its estate in England.
There may be opportunity for a commercially-run motor sports facility
At a suitably located farm with a resident owner and manager
On a section of the Omega site such as the site of the former hangars if
there is a delay in the Omega development
Operators of team-building activities value the opportunity to offer off-road
driving over suitably challenging courses. Ideally operators would like an area of
8 ha. or so, appropriately contoured. This is undoubtedly an intrusive use but the
impact could be restricted by allowing it under supervision of an approved
operator on a few days a year only, during summer months when the ground is
drier and using only quad bikes or electric motorbikes. A new generation of the
latter has been introduced which have better performance, are easy to ride and
make little noise. An area along the south face of Sutton Manor from Jubits
Lane, or the eastern section of Colliers Moss South which is flanked only by
industrial premises may be suitable.
TEAM BUILDING
There are many companies that arrange corporate team-building events or
events for stag and hen parties or social groups. They tend to look for outdoor
facilities that sit alongside indoor training rooms. Venues should have a range of
permanent facilities plus a flat open area where organisers can bring in mobile
equipment such as inflatables and vehicles according to customers’
requirements. The companies tend to prefer venues that offer both nonmotorised and motorised activities. Overnight accommodation is valuable but not
absolutely essential, but training and meeting rooms are a necessity.
Somewhere to eat lunch and have briefing sessions is also essential.
Although around two-thirds of schools (nationally) offer ‘outdoor/adventure’
activities only one in ten has links to clubs specialising in ‘outdoor/adventure’
activities and this figure appears to be in year-on-year decline7. Teachers are
increasingly unwilling to take responsibility for such activities away from the
school site. This is partly due to the National Curriculum, other demands on
teachers’ time and the possible liabilities that may arise from ‘hazardous’ activity.
The Teachers Union, NASUWT, advises its members not to participate in
7
Source: DfES and DCMS survey of school sport in England
36
JULY 2009
outdoor adventure school trips8. Consequently many schools are looking for
providers that can offer a full range of outdoor activities using trained and
qualified staff. This can be at a local education authority outdoor activity centre,
a commercial operator or an independent trust. Examples are the courses run by
PGL and the activities for children offered by the YHA at its hostel in Edale.
The Forest Park sites, especially Sutton Manor in association with Colliers Moss
South, could present the outdoor elements of team-building if activity options are
suitably developed. However they do not have the training and meeting rooms
and it would require significant building development to provide them. The
Smithy Manor pub is well-placed to provide lunches and refreshments. The
Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club does have the training, conference and
dining facilities and is keen to exploit them especially during the week when
most team-building activity takes place. So there is an opportunity for MVGCC
and the Forest Park jointly to develop an offer that would attract groups and
team-building operators.
CARAVANNING AND CAMPING
A caravan and camping site in the area could support greater use of the Forest
Park. The Caravan Club has been looking for several years to secure a new
touring caravan club site near Liverpool to complement the successful sites in
West Kirby and Southport. Touring caravanning is one of the fastest growing
leisure activities. The Caravan Club regards country parks as ideal settings and
point to their successful site at Burrs Country Park which they have developed in
conjunction with the local authority, Bury MBC over the past decade. The
caravan site at Delamere Forest Park also appears highly successful.
The Club’s ideal requirements include proximity (preferably 15 km) to Liverpool
with easy motorway access and public transport to the city, availability of local
facilities, pubs etc. They seek between 2 and 4 ha. to accommodate 75 to 150
touring pitches preferably available for use throughout the year. A successful
caravan site can attract initial investment of £1.5m or more and contribute
considerably to the local economy with anticipated spending in businesses large
and small, each year of around £750,000 not including multiplier impacts.
However smaller operations on privately run sites can operate successfully.
There appears to be only one Scout camp site in Merseyside, at Southport. .
An ideal way forward would be for a farm to develop a site by adapting existing
buildings and using its own land, subject to planning permission. There would
thus be on-site management. But as yet a willing and suitable farm business has
not been identified so far.
8
Sector Skills Development Agency February 2005
37
JULY 2009
We have considered two locations within the Forest Park sites– the first being at
Colliers Moss South near the entrance from Bold Lane on the site prepared by
Groundwork Trust for a visitor centre with parking and reinforced standing. A
second location is Wheatacre. The site is flat and nearer to the facilities at
Burtonwood. The site is large enough to provide a well-screened area but a
development might be seen as intrusive on the character of the village.
Considerations to be weighed include the winding nature of Gorsey Lane and
the road’s apparent status as a ‘rat run’. The sites would need a facilities block
and on-site management during the touring season, and, depending on the
scale of development, may require some tree felling.
Any development would require an operator willing to invest. The Caravan Club
has looked at the sites but has concluded they do not meet its criteria for easy
public transport links, local amenities and an attractive mature setting.
So our conclusion is that while a caravan and camping site would benefit the
visitor economy any siting within the Forest Park would be problematic and
probably controversial, and the commercial viability of a site would need to be
carefully judged by any potential investor.
OTHER OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION
Lindisfarne House based at St.Cuthbert’s High School is based very close to
Colliers Moss North and offers good quality low-cost accommodation for groups.
It could promote itself as a centre for schools, students, amateur sports
organisations etc. using the Forest Park and so could support the development
of the area for team-building and ‘outward-bound’ activities.
We understand that the Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club intends to submit
a planning application for overnight accommodation in the form of wooden
lodges, providing around 60 bedspaces. This would complement its meeting and
conference rooms and could further support the use of the Forest Park sites for
team-building activity.
ALLOTMENTS AND COMMUNITY LAND USES
As well as providing a resource for exercise and adventure the Forest Park
could possibly provide local people with fruit and vegetables. Some of the land
included in the Forest Park is former farm land and so should be of sufficient
quality for allotments or growing spaces.
Information on the Council’s website shows that the available allotments are
over-subscribed with long waiting lists for all allotment sites in the St.Helens
Borough. There are currently 446 people on the waiting list for allotments in
St.Helens, the number having risen from 221 just18 months earlier.
38
JULY 2009
Growth in St.Helens’ allotments waiting list April ’07 to September ‘08
500
452
446
Jun- Jul-08 Aug08
08
Sep08
450
413
390
400
374
346
350
300
261
250
264
261
270
279
290
292
298
Nov07
Dec07
Jan08
310
294
240
221
200
150
100
50
0
Apr07
May07
Jun- Jul-07 Aug07
07
Sep07
Oct07
Feb08
Mar08
Apr08
May08
A further possible feature is a community orchard or an urban farm. The
community orchard concept has been picked up by communities and schools in
many parts of the country. An orchard can add much to the character and biodiversity of a site. The success of a community orchard lies in the strength of
local commitment to it. Local people are the key to running it and deciding how it
is used and so it best taken under the wing of a local group such as an allotment
society or parish council. Helena Housing has experience of improving allotment
sites and of planning a community orchard with volunteer effort.
There are over 50 ‘urban farms’ in England and again they are community-run
spaces created mainly in urban areas out of a desire by community members to
develop a green, community space and to raise awareness of farming and
gardening. Some farms have a paid development officer and all enlist the help of
volunteers. Some focus on environmental objectives, some focus on education
and many attract visitors to see farm and small animals.
St.Helens Forest Park could provide spaces for these uses but the most
promising are away from the main population areas reducing the scope for
community engagement. The following are potential sites:
In the western section of Colliers Moss South, near St.Helens Junction
station
In Wheatacre, close to Burtonwood, which has the most suitable land for a
community orchard or urban farm.
39
JULY 2009
ARBORETUM AND MEMORIAL GARDEN
For good reasons the Forest Park has been largely planted with native species.
But the sites offer opportunities for defined areas to show some more ‘exotic’
planting to create interest and variety. An arboretum might pick up a theme –
such as the varieties within a species, or the trees and shrubs associated with a
world zone.
The planting of a tree or provision of a seat is a popular way to commemorate
loved ones. A memorial garden could strengthen the bond between local
communities and the Forest Park and provide a very attractive and tranquil
feature.
Memorial Garden at Rosliston
40
JULY 2009
6 A STARTING POINT: ESSENTIAL
MINIMUM FACILITIES AND
MANAGEMENT MODEL
Full development and implementation of the Forest Park concept is likely to take
many years. Experience elsewhere indicates that sites develop by stages,
responding to growing footfall and taking advantage of opportunities for external
funding and investment.
However they need to have a coherent concept and worthwhile initial offering to
attract and satisfy the visiting public. Later sections of this study will describe the
potential of each site but in this section we describe an essential minimum or
starting point to give the Forest Park credibility in the eyes of users and of
potential business partners.
HIGH STANDARDS OF MAINTENANCE AND GOOD HUSBANDRY
A well-maintained, clean and visually appealing environment is an essential
starting point for any place that seeks to attract the public.
There is room for improvement on the Forest Park sites. They are generally
clear of litter but there are distinct problems of erosion of surfaces and paths that
need to be remedied. Any damaged features such as stiles, fences and signs
need to be repaired or removed. Visual improvements at the entrance points and
parking areas would make the sites more appealing.
The challenges are greatest at Colliers Moss North and South. When the
managing body, a Groundwork Trust, was dissolved, works on the site were
incomplete. Since then site conditions have deteriorated, making the areas
appear unattractive and insecure. Significant effort will be needed to bring these
sites up to a good standard.
The forest planting needs many more years of growth to reach the maturity that
visitors find most attractive. Patient, careful husbandry of the sites, including
thinning, weed control and management of grassland, ponds and wetlands is as
important as any other measure in making the Forest Park a success.
CONNECTIVITY
At present the Forest Park presents as a series of scarcely connected open
spaces. They need to be joined together conceptually and physically. This is
most likely to be public sector-led though there may be potential for contributions
from equestrian centres. The Forest Park needs
41
JULY 2009
A name that describes the whole area and the concept (see Section 10)
Paths that connect (as far as possible off-road) the sites for users on foot,
bicycle and horse and are maintained to a good standard
Coherent signage and way-marking of trails between and within the sites,
backed up by information leaflets, maps and website
A consistent visual identity and style to appear on signage, publications and
websites.
Road signage to identified access points and car parking, including signage
from junction 7 of the M62 to Sutton Manor and from junction 8 to Wheatacre
and Colliers Moss.
ATTRACTORS
There must be specific attractors to the Forest Park sites – something more
than the current open spaces for dog walking and casual cycling.
In our view it is essential that investment and management resource is
concentrated initially on one site to create a critical mass of activity. The evident
best base for this first stage development is Sutton Manor. This is because
It is a highly visible location and will be more noticeable still with Dream in
place
It is easy to reach especially from the M62 motorway and is under a mile
from Lea Green railway station with regular bus services serving the site.
The Dream sculpture will attract visitors to the site
The Smithy Manor pub on the fringe of the site can provide refreshments,
toilets and parking (subject to agreement with the tenants).
The early attractors suggested here are partly public sector and partly private
sector led. Early public sector-led development should aim to develop footfall
and can include
Adventure Play area: a not-charged for facility within easy reach of the car park
and aimed at the young family market.
A programme of activities: a schedule of organised activities aimed at families
and children that will require input from rangers, sports development officers and
health promotion as well as private sector operators. This is to establish the
profile of the Forest Park as a place to visit and can include activities at Colliers
Moss and other sites.
A further development which may be at the next stage is a designated cycle
circuit with downhill sections and a cycle skills area: these facilities can be
publicised by a programme of basic skills courses.
The private sector investments recommended are
42
JULY 2009
Mountain boarding: this activity would suit the terrain of the Forest Park and is
inexpensive to initiate – with a start-up cost of around £12,000 – and can
generate income. It has the potential to be developed as a pay and play facility.
A low ropes/assault course: this is potentially a private-sector led
development as a pay and play facility. It may be more attractive for private
sector investment once footfall is established.
Potential private sector investors and operators should be invited to put forward
proposals which may include additional or alternative development. Some
flexibility needs to be given particularly in the current difficult investment climate.
A VISITOR CENTRE
The Forest Park will require basic visitor facilities and reception and a staff
presence on site to promote and coordinate uses. This is a critical step. The
minimum requirements for an activity centre are
A reception area, to provide information and take bookings and payment
Office space and staff facilities
An equipment store
Refreshment area
Toilets
Parking
Highly desirable elements are
A meeting/ training room – a facility for school groups, land-based diploma
students, team-building groups etc
A shelter with picnic tables, very useful for schools and other groups
Shop for equipment, books, confectionery, etc
The Shelter at Linmere visitor centre, Delamere Forest
43
JULY 2009
We understand that a group of volunteers are promoting the idea of an
information point for Dream at the Smithy Manor site, which might be
incorporated within a reception facility.
The most cost-effective way forward is to combine the operations of the
reception with the Smithy Manor pub which is open daily and offers a varied,
reasonably priced menu. Subject to agreement with the owners (Marstons
Brewery) and tenant, the pub could provide the refreshments and parking and
possibly a reception area.
Additional space for an equipment store, office and staff facilities and preferably
a meeting room and shop would still be needed. There is space at the Smithy
Manor – again subject to agreement with the brewery and the tenants and to
planning permission – for either a temporary building or a permanent extension
to provide for these needs. So an initial, basic visitor centre could be provided at
Sutton Manor for relatively little capital expense.
The downside of an operating arrangement with the brewery is that the
standards and ethos of the site would not be under control of the Forest Park
management, and it would not be practicable to generate car parking income for
the Forest Park. However the brewery has indicated it would consider any offer
to purchase the whole site. We believe the Forest Park partners should
seriously consider purchasing or taking a long lease on the site and explore
external funding for this. If the visitor centre and its catering were operated as a
social enterprise it might attract funding from the Leader/ RDPE programme.
Car park
C a r p a rk in g
Smithy
Manor
B ik e h ire ,
M o u n ta in b o a rd s
S ta ff ro om
C h a n g in g roo m s
Floodlit
bowling
green
V is it ors ’ C e n tre
Shop
C a fe
T o ilets
M e e tin g ro o m
S m ith y M a n o r
Disused pitch
Smithy Manor site and
Possible siting of facilities
S to ra g e a n d
m a in te n a n ce
e q u ip m e n t e tc .
44
JULY 2009
INDICATIVE CAPITAL COSTS – ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
These indicative costs assume that refreshments and parking are provided in
the Smithy Manor public house premises, but that the parking area is extended
and improved. Allowance is made for public toilets though there are toilets in the
public house.
Cost estimates are for portable buildings with high finish (possibly timber clad) at
£600 at sq. metre for visitor use but storage space is at a more basic
specification. No allowance is made for changing facilities at this initial stage.
Connectivity
£
Paths and improved connections between sites
Signage, way-marking, maps, website
Visual identity and style
Road signage
Sub-total
100,000
60,000
10,000
25,000
195,000
Attractors
Mountain boarding
Designated cycle route and cycle skills / 4 cross area
Adventure play area
Low ropes/ assault course (see breakdown below)
Sub-total
12,000
20,000
150,000
150,000
332,000
Visitor Centre
Reception area (40 sq m)
Office (30 sq.m.)
Meeting/ briefing room – optional (60 sq.m)
Toilets (M/F/D) (40 sq m)
Storage unit (80 sq.m)
Furniture and equipment, signage, services, contingency
Car park improvement and extension
Sub-total
Overall total
24,000
18,000
36,000
24,000
24,000
30,000
50,000
206,000
£733,000
The breakdown of cost estimates for a low ropes/assault course is as follows:
Facility etc.
Description
Low ropes
Climb/abseil tower
Barrel walk, bosun’s walk, burma loops, high to low etc.
Advanced tower – parachute jump, abseil, overhang etc
£20,000
£50,000
Monkey bars, zig zag, cargo net etc.
Spiders web, tyre lift, team skis etc.
£65,000
£8,000
Zip wire
Assault course
Team challenge
Cost
£6,500
Bouldering walls
Overall costs (high specification, cost could be reduced)
£2,500
c£150,000
45
JULY 2009
PARKING
A facility of this sort should expect to receive approximately 1.5 % of its annual
attendance on its busiest days – likely to be weekends and summer holiday
periods. For our target attendance this suggests 1500 people and around 400
cars in a day with a peak capacity of 200 cars.
There is a large area of hard standing at the Smithy Manor. Clearer marking of
parking bays would increase effective capacity. There is potential to extend the
parking onto adjacent land immediately to the north of the pub, assumed to be
within the Forestry Commission ownership. The whole parking area including the
frontage to Jubits Lane would benefit from landscaping and signing as the main
entrance to the activities of the Forest Park.
If overflow capacity proves to be necessary it might be provided at the George V
Playing Fields. Alternatively the disused football pitch that is part of the Smithy
Manor site is well-placed to become an overflow car park, subject to agreement
or lease with the owner, planning permission, site clearance and access to be
created from Jubits Lane.
MANAGEMENT MODEL
The current management regime for the Forest Park supports low-key, informal
recreation and for this objective the current management by the Forestry
Commission (FC) and St.Helens Council is effective at relatively low-cost. (The
management of Colliers Moss needs to be resolved as following the demise of
the Groundwork Trust the ownership and management responsibilities are not
clear).
The development of the activity focus adds further objectives, to optimise public
use and attract visitors, to generate income to achieve viability and to develop
and manage the infrastructure required. This will require a greater management
resource and an additional set of skills; the current management arrangements
are unlikely to drive the concept forward.
Options for overall management or governance are as follows:
Options
Pros and Cons
1.The status quo; sites
are managed directly by
the Forestry Commission
or, in the case of Clock
Face, by St.Helens
Council and its ranger
services
Pros:
Established pattern of management
Expertise of land owners
Cons:
FC has no onsite presence – managed from Delamere
Forest Park sites may not be high priority for FC and
local authority
Fragmented ownership/management may make
development and implementation of coordinated
concept difficult.
May not be clear who is leading.
46
2. Informal partnership
of the current
stakeholders with other
interests
3. Charitable trust and
company limited by
guarantee (CLG) –
requiring current owners
and leaseholders to
delegate management
responsibility to the
company. See note
below
JULY 2009
Pros:
A mechanism for agreeing overall management and
priorities
Can engage other community and sector interests (e.g.
health, arts, the Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club
and equestrian businesses e.g. to develop identity and
market the Forest Park
Cons:
Mechanisms for implementation may not be clear
Would initially be an advisory rather than management
body (but see example of Stanage Forum below)
Cannot handle public funding – will need an accountable
body
May not be clear who is leading
Pros:
Clarity about management responsibilities – which rest
with the Board of Directors
Local authority and FC can be on the Board but can
recruit additional / external expertise including
community and business interests
May have access to more sources of external funding
than a local authority or FC
Incentive to generate income from users
Cons:
May have less favourable VAT treatment than status
quo
Will depend on funding from stakeholders and external
funding which could be variable or decreasing
Financial independence brings increased risks of
business failure
4. Community Interest
Company (CIC) requiring
current owners and
leaseholders to delegate
management
responsibility to the
company. See note
below
Pros:
Similar to company limited by guarantee but the
company has more freedom to operate commercially
and raise capital from shares than is allowed to
charitable companies, while remaining not-for-profit
Clarity about management responsibilities – which rest
with the Board of Directors
Local authority and FC can be on the Board but can
recruit additional / external expertise including
community and business interests
May have access to more sources of external funding
than a local authority or FC
Incentive to generate income from users
Cons:
May have less favourable VAT treatment than status
quo
Will depend on funding from stakeholders and external
funding which could be variable or decreasing
Financial independence brings increased risks of
business failure
47
JULY 2009
Note: the delegation of management responsibility to a company limited by guarantee or
to a Community Interest Company does not necessarily imply transfer of ownership or
leasehold; it could be a management contract for specified responsibilities.
Key to progress is an organisational structure and an individual to take
ownership of the Forest Park project and drive it forward, working in partnership
with the owners of the sites, businesses and other stakeholders. Development of
an informal partnership could be a sensible first step as long as the leadership is
agreed and the partners commit time and energy to making things happen. A
partnership may progress to a CIC or CLG to manage the investment and
manage the Forest Park as a going concern.
A Partnership Example: The Stanage Forum
The Stanage Forum is an example of the management of publicly owned sites delegated
to a partnership or forum including statutory bodies, user groups and the local
community. This forum was set up by the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA)
in 2002 to involve the local community, businesses and user groups in the management
of the Stanage Estate, a sensitive, much visited landscape which the PDNPA both
owned and managed. Initially the PDNPA delegated the task of developing a
management plan for the Stanage Estate to the Forum. This was so successful however
that they have since delegated control for the management of the estate to the Forum
and have introduced the approach to other estates in their ownership
Under any form of governance some aspects of the operation could be subcontracted to commercial operators and investors - such as pay and play
activities, delivery of an activity programme or management of the visitor centre.
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF USERS
The best guide to future visitor levels is comparison with similar sites elsewhere.
This is subject however to a number of caveats. No two sites are identical in
nature, location or facilities. Most estimates are obtained by surveys over a
relatively short period of time so that there is a margin of error in all figures.
Here are some comparators with estimated visitor numbers.
48
Forest site
Location
Rosliston
Forestry
Centre
Semi-rural,
near Derby
Summerhill
Forest Park
Urban fringe,
near
Hartlepool;
local
population
much smaller
than
St,Helens
region
Rural but
draws day
visits from
Newcastle
and Durham
Rural
between
Newmarket
and Thetford
Hamsterley,
Teesdale
Brandon
Country Park,
Suffolk
Management
JULY 2009
Characteristics
Annual
numbers
190,000
Local authority operational
lease to private company
which works in partnership
with LA and National Forest
to raise development
funding.
Local authority owned and
operated
New woodland,
family oriented
facilities
Newly planted
forest of 100 acres;
informal recreation
– walking, cycling
etc; visitor centre
40,000
Forestry Commission owned
and operated
2000 acres of
mature woodland;
extensive mountain
bike trails
125,000
Local authority owned and
operated
31 acres but with
access to Thetford
Forest and
extensive trails etc
160,000
These comparators all rely heavily on day visitors – only Hamsterley had around
10% who were on an overnight trip from home. All also have a large core of
repeat visitors – up to 80% were repeat visitors – and a core of regular visitors
coming 2 or 3 times or more a month. In those respects their visitor profile is
similar to that expected at St. Helens Forest Park.
Based on these comparators, and taking account of the large population within
easy travel time of St.Helens (at least twice that at Summerhill Forest Park), of
the immature standing of the forest in St.Helens but also of the potential to
develop activities and facilities, our estimate of the potential annual visitors is
100,000 to 125,000 within 3 years.
49
JULY 2009
INCOME POTENTIAL
Based on an estimate of 100,000 visitors a year the potential income generation
is estimated as follows:
Facility
Charges /Numbers
Car parking
15,000 @ £2 ( but see below)
Pay and play
30,000 @ £5 average
Activities Total
Income net of
VAT
£30,000
£150,000
£180,000
Catering
35,000 @ £3
Retail
Approximately
Overall total
£105,000
£50,000
£335,000
The overall total represents income to all parties, not to the Forest Park
management organisation. Car parking and catering income will accrue to the
Smith Manor brewery or tenant unless the site was acquired from them. Pay and
play income would accrue to the operator less any facility fee or site rental the
operator may pay.
Car parking is typically a main source of income at forest and country park sites.
The introduction of parking charges requires either investment in a pay and
display or similar system with some monitoring and enforcement cost or
employment of a parking attendant. In practice there is almost always ‘leakage’
by parking in adjacent streets and walking into the site. Leakage could be severe
at Sutton Manor as there are parking opportunities on the main and residential
streets nearby. So it is uncertain whether the investment in parking charges
would be justified at the outset. A free parking policy would help to popularise
the site while reducing any problems caused by off-site parking.
PILOT ACTIVITIES
A number of pilot activities at Sutton Manor could be facilitated now, before
development takes place. They could publicise the potential of the Forest Park
and also be practical research into what is popular with the public. It would mean
building on activities already under way, particularly those sponsored by the
Primary Care Trust. Examples are
Walks of graduated lengths
Cycling for Health
Corporate days – with for example orienteering and practical conservation –
which Groundwork Merseyside and BTCV might lead.
The Smithy Manor pub can be invited to provide reception and refreshments.
50
JULY 2009
7 SITE PROPOSALS
SUTTON MANOR
Possible uses and activities
Main visitor centre and reception
Walking, jogging
Off-road cycling
Orienteering
Adventure play area
Mountain boarding
Low ropes/ assault course
Laser games
Motor sports as part of organised team-building activity
‘Dream’ and other sculpture (see Section 8 below)
Sutton Manor has been described in Section 6 above as the primary hub for
activities and day visitors to the Forest Park. The range of anticipated facilities in
the early stages of development has been outlined.
Sutton Manor is a large site covering
65.5 hectares (161.9 acres) with a
perimeter length of 3.53 km (2.19 miles),
and an internal circuit length of 2.66 km9
(1.65 miles). Its topography (see right) is
not spectacular but it has a height
variation of 27m (89ft) from 50m to 77m.
These characteristics will not make it
home to extreme activities but do equip
it as a good place to try out a wide
range of activities.
51
The numerous permissive footpaths
throughout the site are generally in
good condition. There are few formal
public rights of way or bridleways but
those on the peripheries allow access
links between Sutton Manor and King
George V playing fields and on to
Brickfields to the west, to Clock Face
to the east and to the area south of
the M62 motorway from Sutton
Manor’s south-east corner.
(Note: in these plans BOAT refers to Byway
Open to All Traffic)
JULY 2009
Public Rights Of Way
Footpath
Bridleway
BOAT
The site can accommodate circuits of varying length and complexity but there is
a suggested prime circular route for both pedestrians and cyclists shown in the
illustration below. An equestrian route round and through Sutton Manor is
discussed in Section 9 below.
A circuit of Sutton Manor, one of several available.
The area to the north of Sutton Manor up to Gartons Lane (shown at the top of
the picture above) is largely flat and seemingly unused though crossed by a
footpath with a public right of way. The site is assumed to be in private
ownership. The area could be considered as an extension of the forest area at
some future time, and might provide a suitable site for archery or playing
52
JULY 2009
pitches. There is a reported shortfall of natural playing pitches and an
assessment is currently taking place. 10
INDICATIVE CAPITAL COSTS – AN IDEAL VISITOR CENTRE
In the previous section on ‘essential minimum facilities’ costs were given for
temporary buildings at the Smithy Manor pub. Ideally a Forest Park visitor
centre would be purpose-built, possibly incorporating refurbished parts of the
existing building.
The floorspace requirements and associated costing for a purpose-built visitors’
centre are shown below. Facilities shown in Table 1 represent a reasonable but
not over-ambitious option and could be extended, for example, to accommodate
changing rooms, environmental education, indoor soft play area and further
meeting rooms for training and team building. These figures assume that the car
park remains at the Smithy Manor site. An alternative would be further North on
Jubits Lane at the former Colliery site entrance, at additional cost.
1
Public toilets (M/F/D) – internal and external access
Sq
m
40
2
50
20
£63,250
3
Storage (bicycle, low ropes equipment, grass/land maintenance and
outdoor)
Bicycle etc repairs
4
First aid room/physiotherapist
12
5
6
Café – light refreshments
Shop area
150
80
£15,180
£189,750
7
Storage (shop and indoor)
30
8
Office/ reception for up to three people
30
£37,950
£37,950
9
Classroom/ meeting room for 30 people
90
£155,250
Circulation @20%
100
Sub Total
602
£126,500
£761,530
Facility
10
Cost
£50,600
£25,300
£101,200
11
Car Park improvements
50,000
12
Paved areas and external seating
75,000
13
Landscaping and specimen trees
Total
50,000
936,530
Note: The above figures are based on Building costs cost of £1,100 per sq m plus 15% fees. All
floorspace figures and costs provided by nationally recognised architects for a similar project
within the region within the past 18 months – all figures are scalable and at this stage indicative
only.
10
The South St.Helens Masterplan (Gillespies 2003) suggested this area might be
integrated into Sutton Manor with 60-70% of the site planted with trees to create a series
of small native woodlands and the rest left open for wildflower grassland and pond
creation.
53
JULY 2009
New visitor centre at Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest
INDICATIVE LAYOUT AT SUTTON MANOR
The plan below shows how activities may be zoned within the Sutton Manor site.
The Smithy Manor pub is visible at the left edge of the plan, immediately
adjacent to the site.
The suggested occasional supervised motor sports for team-building events may
use sections of the southern face parallel to the Motorway. They and the
mountain boarding would need to avoid boggy areas and reed beds at the base
of the slope in some places.
E
4 cross cycling
C
Laser combat
Dream
statue
B
A
Assault
course
Adventure
Play
D
Mountain
boarding
54
JULY 2009
COMPATIBILITY OF DREAM AND ACTIVITIES
‘Dream’ is centrally located at the highest point of the site within a forested area.
The proposed activities are largely located at the periphery of the site at lower
levels and are also in wooded or partially wooded areas which do not impinge
directly on the statue. The visual impact will be marginal as the activities do not
require buildings and the height of the installed equipment for adventure play
and an assault course is modest in relation to the rising landform and the
elevation of the statue. The view of the statue will not be blocked in any
direction. The activities will generate little noise which will be inconsequential in
comparison to the existing traffic noise from the motorway. We do not believe
therefore that the siting of the activities will significantly compromise the setting
of the statue.
CLOCK FACE, MAYPOLE AND GRIFFIN WOOD
Main uses envisaged
Walking
Running
Cycling
Conservation
The three sites cover a total area of 53.8 hectares (132.9 acres); the aggregate
area for Clock Face and Maypole, which could be combined to form a single site,
is 36.9 hectares (91.2 acres).
Clock Face is the most accessible of the three sites, having its own car
park. It appears quite well used for walking/dog walking, cycling and some
horse riding.
B
A
C
Clock Face (area A on the view
below) and Maypole (area B) have a
common boundary but form separate
sites. We recommend that they are
joined to create a single large site, to
utilise one car park for the two, with
signposted paths that encourage a
flow between the two and remove the
sense of demarcation. In the absence
of such actions it is likely that Maypole
will continue to be underused.
There are several permissive footpaths
through Clock Face which would allow a
variety of circuits to be signposted, both
short and long – the circuit shown below is
55
JULY 2009
2.07 km (1.29 miles) in length. The single circuit around Maypole is 0.93 km
(0.58 miles) in length.
Access to Griffin Wood (area C on the view) is discouraged by signposting on
Hall Lane that declares access is only to the farm at the end of the road. In fact
this is a definitive right of way which should be signed as such and opened for
public access. The right of way extends across Griffin Wood to the pedestrian
bridge over the motorway and from there to the Mersey Valley Golf Club.
The uses shown for these sites in the Aspirational Plan are walking, cycling,
running and conservation. These quiet uses are appropriate and the sites would
not be a priority for intensification of use as they are less accessible than Sutton
Manor and Colliers Moss to both local users and visitors without a car. The sites
can nonetheless be part of the suggested equestrian routes (see below, section
9).
There could be opportunity for seasonal stock grazing if there is demand in the
area.
56
JULY 2009
FRESH FOREST
Main uses envisaged
Walking
Conservation
This is a relatively small site which sits rather apart
from the other sites in the study. Consequently it
has not been included in the network routes. It is
the only site outside St.Helens Borough
boundaries.
It covers an area of 8.1 hectares (20 acres) and
has a perimeter of 1.25 kilometres (0.78 miles).
The uses shown for the sites in the Aspirational
Plan are confined to walking, cycling, running and
conservation. The site does not appear to have
any defined footpaths so cycling and running
would be problematic.
WHEATACRE
Main uses envisaged
Walking
Cycling
Archery
Allotments, community orchard
Possible site for caravanning and camping
Possible site for sports pitches
Horse riding
Wheatacre abuts Burtonwood village to the east and is an excellent open space
for the village, and provides off-road foot and cycle routes to and from Colliers
Moss and towards Maypole and Clock Face. Locals have referred to the forestry
project as ‘putting the wood back into Burtonwood’.
57
JULY 2009
Wheatacre abuts Colliers
Moss to the north – albeit
separated by the busy Bold
Lane. The two are joined by a
pedestrian entrance across
Bold Lane at the
northernmost point of
Wheatacre. Ideally a
footbridge (or underpass) at
that point would secure safe
crossings, but that would be
very costly and is probably
unrealistic. Alternatively there
should be traffic calming measures at that point and at the main entrance point
to Colliers Moss.
Wheatacre has several pedestrian entrances but no car parking for the northern
section. It is suggested, below, that a car park in Colliers Moss at this point
would improve the accessibility of both sites. As an interim stage it may be
practical and sufficient to create a lay-by or lay-bys on Bold Lane to facilitate
access to both Wheatacre and Colliers Moss. There is a car park at the
southern end of Wheatacre at the edge of Burtonwood village centre by a play
area.
Wheatacre covers an area of 45.0 hectares has a perimeter length of 5.63 km
and an internal circuit length of 3.61 km. It is a flat site and so is not suitable for
downhill activities. Uses shown in the Aspirational Plan include walking, running,
cycling and archery and these informal uses are entirely appropriate.
The site could be suitable for target archery providing an area can be secured
for safety reasons during use. One possibility is the section to the north section
of the site provided it is compatible with the overhead power lines.
Several other uses were suggested in the consultation exercise including a
touring caravan site and allotments. Other productive uses could be seasonal
grazing, market gardening, or a community orchard or nursery. All these would
require fencing and/or hedging and they might seem a backward step with the
site having been converted recently from farmland to open space. However they
are compatible with continued public routes through the site and continuing
access to remaining open spaces. Their viability would depend on community or
commercial interest to take them forward.
Wheatacre has flat land that might be suitable for additional sports pitches. As
parts of the site are damp care would be needed to ensure that drainage is
adequate.
An equestrian link route through the site is envisaged as part of the wider
network and the site is suitable for riding.
58
JULY 2009
COLLIERS MOSS
The two Colliers Moss sites, North and South, differ in character and are
separated by an active rail link with a single bridge crossing between them.
Colliers Moss North relates naturally to the urban areas to the north while
Colliers Moss South faces the semi- rural areas to the south from which it is
accessed. Consequently, the two are reviewed separately below.
COLLIERS MOSS SOUTH
Main uses envisaged
Walking
Off-road cycling and cycle track
Running and jogging
Orienteering
Horse riding and gallops
Angling
Water activities – canoeing, raft-building, diving
Laser games
Secondary visitor reception building and ranger base
Possible site for allotments
Motorsports as part of organised team-building activity
59
JULY 2009
This is a large site covering 51.9 hectares with a perimeter length of 4.3 km
and an internal circuit length of 4.0 km11. The topography of Colliers Moss South
is undulating and the site is capable of hosting a range of activities. So the site
can be positioned as the second main site for active recreation in the Forest
Park.
The numerous permissive footpaths offer a variety of routes around the site
making it suitable for walking, running, orienteering and cycling. The lake is the
largest body of water in the Forest Park and runs to 1.6 hectares (200m x 100m
approx). It is understood to be deep enough to accommodate sub-aqua training
and offers a potential resource for organised activities, team-building and for
angling as described above.
Equestrian uses should be important on this site. The whole of the area has
been designed with equestrian use in mind and there are all-weather gallops
along the side of the rail line. The livery yard to the eastern end of the site has a
private access to Colliers Moss South. An equestrian link and circular route is
envisaged as part of a wider network.
There has been considerable past investment on footpaths, a trails bike circuit
and in public art. However parts of the site are in very poor condition and it is
understood that little or no maintenance has taken place over the past four
years. Significant further investment will be required to bring the site to a
standard that is attractive for public use.
The bike circuit is badly eroded, the top surface having washed away to reveal
half bricks and pieces of metal. It is recommended that the costs of restoration to
a higher standard and longer lifespan be investigated, together with its potential
to be a 4 cross cycling track through the addition of jumps, berms etc.
The trails bike circuit – length 0.69 km - fallen into disrepair
11
This is one of several potential circuits at Colliers Moss South
60
JULY 2009
The site suffers from a lack of prominent entrances and car parking. The current
main entrance is from the western end of Bold Lane. It is unsigned but marked
by decorative metal gates. Access to Colliers Moss is then via a service road on
which there is informal parking.
Recommended improvements are:
Road signs on the approaches to the entrance
Signage at the entrance on Bold Lane
An additional entrance and car park further east on Bold Lane would improve the
site’s accessibility and profile. The best location would be at the point of
connection with Wheatacre (marked with arrows on the plan above, p.59). This
entrance is centrally located and would provide good routes around the site and
better access also to Wheatacre. A car park here could be masked by planting.
We therefore recommend that
the costs and practicality of creating an improved entrance and car park at
Colliers Moss be investigated further.
That the entrances should be well signed and marked by decorative features,
gates or artworks
The costs for access and car parking improvement will be significant.
As use of the site increases the need for toilet facilities will increase. Changing
rooms may be needed if the lake is to be used. In the first instance provision can
be made by a secure portakabin facility but the ideal scenario would be a
purpose-built centre. In the specification below we have not included a
refreshment facility on the basis that would be provided at Sutton Manor and the
MVGCC. However an office is provided to cover the possibility that this could
also be a rangers’ base.
The centre needs to be near the main entrance and parking area. Groundwork
prepared a site for a visitor centre near the current main entrance which would
be logical place for it (subject to planning approval) – unless a new car park and
entrance area is built more centrally to the site, as suggested above.
Floorspace and costs associated with a rangers’ base, storage and public toilets
Facility
Sq m
Cost
Public toilets (M/F/D) – external access
40
£50,600
Storage (canoes, water sports equipment, grass/land maintenance and
outdoor)
80
£101,200
First aid room
12
£15,180
Changing rooms (internal and external access) showers and toilets
60
Office for up to three people
30
£75900
£37,950
44
266
£336,480
Circulation @20%
Total
£55650
Note: The above figures are based on a cost of £1,100 per sq m plus 15% fees.
Pu
b
lic iR
g
h fts
OW
a
y
Fo
tp
a th
B rid
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wa
y
BT
A
O
61
JULY 2009
Colliers Moss North
Main uses envisaged
Walking, jogging
Off-road cycling
Orienteering
Horse-riding
Conservation
This is another large site covering 59.3 hectares with an internal circuit length of
2.6 km12. It has been designated as a Local Nature Reserve.
The site is not easily accessible from the south - the single entry being by the
pedestrian bridge over the railway from Colliers Moss South. The site seems
naturally to face north towards the residential areas around Derbyshire Hill from
where there are pedestrian entrances. It would be difficult to direct visitors to the
Forest Park from this direction but better access here would increase its value to
local people.
In particular the existing
public right of way path (see
left) from the Bold Miners
Institute (BMI) alongside
sports pitches to Colliers
Moss is in very poor
condition. It could provide a
foot and cycle link from the
nearby housing and the open
space of Derbyshire Hill
through to Burtonwood. It
would also mean that the
BMI’s facilities of meeting
rooms, toilets and café could be a base for educational activities, health and
wildlife walks or local people, conservation and site management at Colliers
Moss North.
The uses shown in the Aspirational Plan include bouldering, BMX, cycling,
equestrian, walking, running, orienteering, archery, motor cycling and
conservation. We suggest that the site’s focus should be on low impact, informal
activity such as walking and cycling and that more intensive activities are
provided at the Colliers Moss South.
This will allow the site’s environmental and wildlife interest including the
remnants of mossland to be nurtured. At present the site does not have a
12
This is one of several potential circuits at Colliers Moss North
62
JULY 2009
particularly inviting feel, especially around the crossing over the rail bridge.
Further planting in some areas, clearing of vegetation along densely overgrown
footpaths and overhauling wetland areas could lead to a richer site for wildlife
and a more welcoming environment for users. Better signage is required.
A management plan for Colliers Moss North has been drafted and should reflect
these objectives.
.
Public Rights of Way at Colliers Moss
with the route to Bold Miners Institute
at centre top. Incudes a Byway Open
to All Traffic (BOAT).
Footpath
Bridleway
BOAT
Colliers Moss North Circuit. The
numerous permissive footpaths
throughout the site could offer
different lengths of route.
63
JULY 2009
BRICKFIELDS
Main uses envisaged
Walking, jogging
Orienteering
Off-road cycling
Conservation
Restoration of the Brickfields site is nearing completion. It comprises three
separate plots of land (as shown below). The overall coverage is 41.0 hectares.
Although north and south sites could theoretically be combined to form a single
site of 38.9 hectares (96.1 acres),
there is a stream and cutting
between them. The southern site
has already been reinstated but has
problems with standing water; it is
believed that this is to be retained as
reed beds.
C
A
B
It is directly accessible from nearby
housing). It has the potential to
provide an attractive and large urban
greenspace in due course.
Brickfields is also able to offer good
access from Lea Green rail station
for visitors from further afield;
however, in its current configuration
there are problems for vehicular
access.
Brickfields has several permissive
footpaths; the circuit shown opposite being
3.61 km in length (2.24) miles. It provides a
western end to the circuit described later
but requires visitors to cross a busy road
(Jubits Lane) in order to link through King
George Playing Fields and on to Sutton
Manor.
Equestrian access to Brickfields South from Sutton Manor is impractical because
of a number of zig-zag stiles as well as the crossing of Jubits Lane and the
sound of hooves on a metal bridge that would disconcert horses.
64
JULY 2009
The uses of Brickfields shown in the Aspirational Plan include walking, cycling,
running and conservation are entirely appropriate. Use is already being made of
the site for cycling training.
MERSEY VALLEY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Main uses envisaged
Golf
Angling
Team-building activities
Conference and training base
Possible future accommodation
Located on Warrington Road, Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club (MVGCC) is
somewhat different to the remainder of the sites in this study. It is the only openspace site located to the south of the M62 motorway and it is already a going
concern.
Completed as a golf course in 1995, the venue has a restaurant and provides
rooms for wedding, parties, training and conferences. In addition to the 18 hole
golf facilities it has its own angling club. Its two lakes have a total of 50 fishing
platforms, perimeter ledges to ensure adequate weed growth, islands in the
middle to assist in the flow of water and water depths of 1 - 5 metres. The lakes
are stocked with roach, carp and perch.
The MVGCC could be an important part of the visitor offer in the Forest Park.
The club can be linked to the other
sites via the road network and visitors
could move from here to Sutton
Manor and other sites and vice versa
for teambuilding, golf, fishing and
archery etc. Furthermore its links via
public rights of way and permissive
paths allow it to connect to the local
equestrian businesses.
It is understood that the Club already
has planning permission for a further
three training rooms and a 150 cover restaurant. In 2009 it is expecting to
submit a planning application for overnight accommodation in the form of
wooden lodges (totalling 60 bedspaces). If approved and constructed this would
strengthen the Club’s potential to host teambuilding and training activities that
use other sites in the Forest Park and would create a number of jobs.
65
JULY 2009
Wheatacre
Colliers Moss South
Colliers Moss North
Brickfields South
Brickfields East
Brickfields North
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Maypole
Dream/Big Art Project
Informal public open space
Conservation
Walking
Running
Equestrian / bridleway
Orienteering
Cycling/Mountain biking
Mountain boarding
Cycle skills and 4 cross
Low ropes/Assault course
Adventure play, zip wire etc.
Laser combat
Motorised sports
Bouldering
Archery
Canoeing/kayaking
Raft building etc.
Sub-aqua
Angling
Grazing
Caravanning/ camping
Allotments
Community orchard/ farm
Golf
Paintball
Clay pigeon shooting
In-line skating/skate park
BMX tricks
Clock Face
Sutton Manor
SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITIES BY SITE
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66
JULY 2009
8 ‘DREAM’ AND PUBLIC ART
‘Dream’, a 20m high sculpture, has been erected on a high point of Sutton
Manor. The sculpture is highly visible from the M62 motorway and ought to
make a big impact on passing motorists. Comparisons are readily drawn with the
Angel of the North in Gateshead which got the area talked about and is credited
with raising and improving the
image of that region.
Dream is already attracting
very significant additional
attention and is drawing visitors
into the site. The Angel of the
North is said to attract up to
8000 people a week to stop to
see it close up. Dream will
perhaps be less prominent than
the Angel and its artist is less
well known, but it will certainly
excite curiosity and visits. There
will certainly be a concerted PR
push to promote Dream and it
would be entirely appropriate to
couple its symbolic message of
a new, forward looking era to
the re-birth of Sutton Manor as
a place of nature, beauty and
recreation.
An informal agreement has
been reached for parking at the
Smith Manor public house
which is also the natural entry
point for visitors to the activities
centre. The proposed visitor
hub at Sutton Manor should incorporate space for information and interpretation
of Dream.
The arrival of Dream prompts consideration of the scope for further public art in
the Forest Park and St.Helens. A high impact Dream public art legacy
programme is planned both in and around Sutton Manor and across the
Borough. In our view the effective way forward would be to concentrate further
public artworks in the Forest Park at Sutton Manor, within a 1.5 km radius of
Dream. This is to create a critical mass and to encourage those who come to
see Dream to stay longer and explore the site. The undulating landform of
Sutton Manor would support the presence of more sculptures of a smaller scale,
‘hidden’ within folds of the land and the woodland. Sculptures must be highly
robust and damage-resistant.
67
JULY 2009
There is a strong case for improving the impact of the main entrances to the
sites. The road entrances to Clock Face and Colliers Moss South are very
utilitarian. A creative treatment would help to improve the image profile of these
sites.
68
JULY 2009
9 CONNECTIVITY
Consultation has taken place with British Cycling (BC) through its national
facilities manager and its regional mountain biking officer, and with the British
Horse Society through its area Access Officer. We have also examined a
previous Bridleways Study undertaken by Groundwork and relevant sections of
the St.Helens Town in the Forest study by Gillespies.
From the perspective of BC and BHS there are many sites in the North West
that can offer what any single Forest Park sites is able to provide. What can set
the area apart is its potential connectivity and potential to provide a variety of
long and short routes that can be interesting yet not too demanding - and all
highly accessible from the motorway network.
For walkers and cyclists routes that are largely off-road can be identified
connecting all the main sites, though requiring some crossings of main roads
(see network plan in the Appendix) . Ways to make those road crossings safer
and to reduce further the on-road sections are discussed below.
For horse riders the position is considerably more difficult. Unfortunately the
designated bridleways and Public Rights of Way in the Forest Park do not make
a full network and as fragmented routes are limited in value. It is understood that
local equestrian businesses regard their individual facilities to be self-sufficient
but, paradoxically, one of the main attractions for riders is to be able to travel
longer circuits.
The Equestrian Routes plan in Appendix 2 outlines two routes, to the south and
north of the motorway of approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) and 8 km (5 miles)
respectively which would link the main equestrian businesses in the Forest Park,
namely Bold Heath, Willow Park, Crows Nest, Tunstalls Farm and Northfield
Riding Centre sites to each other and to the Forest Park sites using bridleways
and other permissive ways. (At times ‘links’ for horse riders appear to be
dependent on personal relationships with farmers - ‘he lets me use it but it isn’t
open to everyone’ - or have existed along the edges of fields but have become
overgrown – for example between Tunstalls and Northfield).
To make the equestrian and pedestrian routes a practical reality will require a
number of obstacles and pinch points to be overcome. They include the
following:
The Motorway
There are three off-road crossings of the motorway:
A footbridge carrying a Public Right of Way that connects the MVGCC with
Maypole – suitable for pedestrians but with steps that make it difficult for
cyclists and unsuitable for horses. If access were ramped these difficulties
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would be overcome and the networks north and south of the motorway would
be joined.
An agricultural bridge that might have allowed horses to pass, but which is
unconnected to a Public Right of Way
The old mineral line from Halton to
Widnes which is a PROW and which
would be an ideal access for horses but is permanently waterlogged under
the motorway. The only access is via
steps and an elevated pathway
beneath the bridge but not at ground
level which is passable by pedestrians
and (with difficulty) cyclists but is
impassable by horses. The flooding
problem extends for an area of around
300m also affecting nearby farmland.
If, as suspected, it is due to run off
from the motorway and it requires an engineering solution, the matter will
need to be taken up with the Highways Agency.
Pinch Points
There are six particular pinch points and types of conflict between pedestrian,
cyclist, horses and vehicles.
1. The links between Brickfields South and
Sutton Manor require walkers, cyclists etc to
cross Jubits Lane (B5419) and Walkers Lane
(see plan opposite). Both are relatively busy
roads and care would be required, especially
for the very young and elderly. An option
would be to introduce light control at both
points, possibly in the form of pelican
crossings, or other traffic calming measures.
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2. Throughout the ‘network’ many
junctions of footpaths and roads
are punctuated by zig-zag stiles.
(see opposite). They are an
attempt to discourage vehicular/
motor cycle access to the sites.
They have not really achieved this
as there are many other points at
which access can be gained. They
do, however, prevent equestrian
access (and impede wheelchairs).
This is exacerbated by the
absence of mounting blocks which
means that even if you can lead a
horse onto a site it may be
impossible to resume riding.
3. The link between Sutton Manor
and Clock Face requires a
crossing of Clock Face Road
(A569) (see plan opposite). This is
relatively busy and care would be
required, one option for traffic
control would be to introduce light
control, possibly in the form of
pelican crossing, or other traffic
calming measures.
4. The links between Maypole and
Wheatacre require travel along Gorsey Lane.
This is a busy route and should ideally have
traffic calming measures if it is to be suitable
for walkers or riders. However there are
apparently proposals for greater traffic
volumes along Gorsey Lane in association
with the Omega business park. In that event
it would be all the more important to find an
off-road alternative, which could either be
Negotiation of a path parallel to Gorsey
Lane on the field edges as far as Neills
Lane
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JULY 2009
Opening up of the existing PROW which cuts across the field edges from
Abbotsfield Farm to Rose Hill Farm and Neills Lane. See the Rights of Way
plan in Appendix 2.
The illustration above shows the pinchpoints at the junctions with Gorsey Lane
and Neills Road. Note that access along Hall Lane, the Right of Way through
Maypole to Gorsey Lane, is being obstructed/discouraged by notices claiming
that access is only to the farm at the end of the road.
5. Neills Road is a further busy thoroughfare that will need some form of traffic
calming to allow pedestrians and others safe crossing into Wheatacre, avoiding
conflict with traffic visiting the adjacent industrial estate.
6. The connection from Wheatacre to Colliers Moss requires a crossing of Bold
Lane (B5204). The site reviews for Colliers Moss South and Wheatacre have
recommended that this entrance be given greater prominence and parking
provision. Improvement to the crossing by light control or traffic calming
measures is highly desirable.
Road crossing points at entry to
Wheatacre and Colliers Moss at
Neills Road and Bold Lane
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Overview of connectivity challenges
The Plan below gives an overview of the typical issues and challenges in
improving connectivity between the sites.
Need to develop
access points to
Colliers Moss
South and
Wheatacre along
Bold Lane
Potential to open up existing
PROWs thereby avoiding
Gorsey Lane
Examples of ‘broken
links in network
Example of
discouraged
access along
PROW by local
farmer
Potential equestrian
crossing point at
agricultural bridge but
no PROW links to it
Permanently waterlogged
PROW – believed to be
motorway run off
Permanent water and inappropriate links
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JULY 2009
10 MAKING IT HAPPEN
A key challenge in developing and maintaining the Forest Park is to attract the
funding and resource to take the project to the next level. Resources are needed
to realise the potential to attract visitors and locals, to generate economic activity
raise the Borough’s profile. The model described in this study is a ‘mixed
economy’ of public, private and voluntary input. Whatever management structure
is adopted there will need to be clear coordination of the way funding and
resources are acquired and deployed.
Investment in the basic infrastructure of country parks tends to be generated
through the public sector - that is to say that the basics of providing paths and
signage, grounds maintenance and landscape improvements, play facilities and
visitor centres. In St.Helens contributions could be expected
Through S106 payments and developer undertakings
Through Community Infrastructure Levy (from 2010) if implemented in
St.Helens
Through capital and revenue supporting the Growth Point initiative
Through external funding bids for example to the Sports Lottery Fund and to
Access to Nature Big Lottery Fund
Through the Northwest ERDF Programme (specifically Action Area 3-3:
Supporting improvement of the region’s visitor offer and image).
From NWDA
Landfill tax
St.Helens Council from mainstream budgets, Area-Based Grant and Ward
Committee funds
The Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE) will enable the NWDA to
deliver over £74.9 million of investment into rural areas, supporting
diversification of the rural economy (including tourism networks) and to improve
the environment and quality of life. Local Action Groups will deliver part of the
programme, empowering local communities to get involved in improving the
places where they live. The Local Action Groups deliver a wide range of
activities providing advice, training and grants for both land and rural
businesses. A Local Action Group approach for the Forest Park area could be
considered.
Private sector participation may be generated in several ways:
Through partnership with the brewery and tenant at Smithy Manor to provide
initial facilities and visitor services, with potential later to develop more
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extensive facilities in partnership or through a lease or purchase
arrangement.
Through use and development of the Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club’s
facilities for dining, training and conferences as a base for team-building
activities using the Forest Park. The proposed development of overnight
accommodation would increase the potential further. A partnership here
could move the team-building concept quite quickly from theoretical to a
realistic proposition.
Through commercial investment and operation of pay and play facilities
Through licence or facility fees from other commercial operators using the
Forest Park such as for laser combat.
By contributions from equestrian centres towards the improvement of
connections, stiles, bridleways and gallops
By business participation in future marketing and brand-building activity
Through engagement of the St.Helens Chamber to raise the profile and
opportunities of the Forest Park with businesses
Voluntary and community input to the Forest Park is important as the direct
involvement of local people helps to achieve the sustainability of the sites and
engenders a sense of ownership. It could take several forms:
Environmental education, site development and landscape maintenance
courses all offer opportunities for practical modules that involve on-site
works; the development of a land-based diploma course at St.Helens is an
opportunity for engagement
Mountain bike groups are often willing to donate time and energy to help
develop and maintain courses
Local initiatives and leadership could drive development of a community
orchard or farm
Direct involvement by volunteers in practical conservation activities could be
organised for example by the BTCV (including its Green Gym programme),
Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Anglers’ Associations, Scouts and Guides.
Through the formation of Friends associations for the Forest Park or areas
within it.
Local companies could contribute time to undertake practical work as a form
of team-building and community pay-back. (One of the companies
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undertaking this study, KKP, has an annual work day at a local nature
reserve).
Through an Intermediate Labour Market programme to undertake
maintenance and renewal works
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11 MARKETING AND BRANDING
TARGET AUDIENCES
There are two distinct target audiences for St.Helens Forest Park – park users,
whether locals or visitors - and partners.
Initially the primary focus for communications will be the partner organisations
which are in both public and private sector and whose support is critical to
getting the Forest Park development off the ground:
1. Public sector stakeholders – the local authority and Forestry Commission but
also others such as health and education sectors
2. Funding agencies
3. Existing local business who may align their business with the Forest Park
4. Potential investors and operators
The table below provides a short description of our perception of their
characteristics and interest.
Segment
Characteristics
Public sector
stakeholders
Want to know outcomes for local people in terms of amenities, quality of
recreation, health, educational opportunities, employment and economic impact
Concerned to ensure development meets strategic and spatial planning goals
Sustainability, both financial and environmental, highly important
Funding
Agencies
Seek defined outcomes for their investment to meet their strategic priorities e.g.
employment, participation rates for health promotion, environmental
improvements
Sustainability, both financial and environmental, highly important
Existing local
business
Existing business located within the sphere of influence of the St.Helens Forest
Park and likely to benefit from increased investment;
Want to know ‘what’s in it for me’ and how they can take advantage of the
opportunity;
The public sector needs to educate and recruit their support and partnership to
strengthen the sustainability of the Park; and
The public sector needs to encourage (pump-prime) investment and
collaborative marketing activity.
Potential
investors
New businesses looking to invest in and around the St.Helens Forest Park;
Want to know the advantages / requirements (planning or otherwise) for locating
their business in the area; and
The public sector needs to spark their interest and explain the benefits.
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Partner target audiences
Once the Forest Park is operational the User audience will be the focus for
marketing communications. We recommend a marketing communications plan
of the user market is written prior to the infrastructure development taking place
in order to manage the messages from the outset and establish a consistent
image for the Forest Park.
The Visitor audience can be segmented as
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Young families looking for fun
Outdoor enthusiasts;
Local walkers;
Corporate day out;
School trips;
Visitors for Healther
7.
target audiences
User Target Audience
Segment
Characteristics
Young families
looking for fun
Dependent children, unlikely to drive more than 30 minutes to the destination;
Looking for a healthy and inexpensive day out;
Will engage with both the structured, safe and organised outdoor activities as
well as the network of walking / cycling trails and public art;
Likely to respond to promotion incentives;
Refreshments and toilets are very important; and
Will explore the Park and potentially investigate other areas in the Mersey Forest
network.
Outdoor
enthusiasts
This segment visits the Park for the sports / adventure element;
Likely to be early teens or adult couples who enjoy outdoor, adventure activity
with minimal risk;
Potentially a more local audience as they may not have access to transport;
Will visit both individuals or as part of a youth group;
Will include local horse riders and cyclists;
Extreme sports enthusiasts likely to go elsewhere.
Local walkers
An older audience, retired or empty-nester;
Attribute value to the natural environment and their access to it;
Will use the park for walking (including public art), jogging and cycling;
Unlikely to engage with adventure activity;
Refreshments and toilets are very important; and
Will explore the Park and potentially investigate other areas in the Mersey Forest
network.
Corporate
Local businesses sending staff on a corporate day out;
Require organised, structured activity;
Attracted by the sports / adventure element; and
Likely to require catering and private indoor space.
78
Education
Health
JULY 2009
Education authorities, local schools and FE Colleges;
Likely to be local to the area given the high cost of transport and competitive
offers;
Will engage with both the structured, safe and organised outdoor activities as
well as the network of walking / cycling trails and public art;
Information / interpretation is important to this segment;
Toilets and shelter very important and
Rigorous health and safety and risk management is also important.
Primary Care Trusts and health professionals responsible for encouraging local
people to undertake healthy, outdoor activity;
Likely to encourage their target groups / patients to walk and cycle in the Park,
experience public art;
Their target groups may migrate into other target markets – outdoor enthusiasts,
local walkers etc; and are likely to be interested in other areas in the Mersey
Forest network.
Less able and wheelchair users require easy parking and flat access.
COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY
The priority at this point is to assemble the messages for the public sector
partners, funding bodies and businesses that demonstrate how the Forest Park
development meets their strategic objectives.
For public sector stakeholders the benefits will relate to
Improved access and usage of the Forest Park sites
A rationale for continuing investment in improvement and husbandry of the
forest
Opportunities for business engagement and private sector investment
Visitor spend, generating economic impact and employment
Health benefits
Contribution to the external and internal image of St.Helens – something to
be proud about
Green Infrastructure to support the Growth Point Initiative
The messages to the funding bodies must be tailored to reflect their objectives
– such as sports development, health promotion, landscape and environmental
improvement, employment and diversification of the economy, skills and
education.
The messages to businesses (existing and potential investors) will be
There will be significant investment to increase visitors to the area and thus
increase potential customers for your business
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JULY 2009
Local people will be attracted to the natural environment, delivering
economic opportunity to your business;
The improving the image of St.Helens enhances investment opportunity
Favourable planning conditions will apply to appropriate businesses.
To fully realise the economic opportunity you need to work with the partners
and help promote the offer.
For the user markets we recommend a marketing communications plan is
written prior to the infrastructure development taking place in order to manage
the messages from the outset and establish a consistent image for the St.Helens
Forest Park.
THE FOREST PARK BRAND
A brand is something that customers attribute a value to. It exists in the
customer’s mind and is the link the between their perception of the product and
the organisation’s marketing activities. Therefore it must communicate attributes
that are important and valuable to the customer it is targeting.
Marketing industry research suggests that a successful brand should:
1. Suggest benefits e.g. Slimline tonic or Blackpool Pleasure Beach;
2. Suggest qualities such as action or subject e.g. The Heritage Trail or
Night Time Buzz;
3. Be easy to pronounce, recognise and remember;
4. Be acceptable in all markets both linguistically and culturally;
5. Be distinctive;
6. Be meaningful.
In addition the brand for the Forest Park must align to and work with wider-area
brands: St.Helens -The Heart of the Northwest and the Mersey Forest. These
brands are established, with clear guidelines for use and will need to be
presented alongside the Forest Park brand.
A name for the area has to be agreed by the partners though there is no
consensus at present. The ‘Forest Park’ name is now used widely for forest
areas that welcome visitors and encourage activities – for example Delamere
Forest Park, Grizedale Forest Park and Galloway Forest Park. However the
currently used ‘St.Helens Forest Park’ locates the area geographically but does
not recognise that parts lie in the adjoining boroughs and does not suggest how
this Forest Park is distinctive.
Our discussions with the Steering Group highlighted a preference to focus
branding of the Forest Park towards the product and not the place. It was felt
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JULY 2009
that the existing St.Helens and Mersey Forest brands are sufficient geographic
‘locators’ and the Forest Park brand should communicate the benefits of the
product offer. An option is to call the area ‘Dream Forest Park’ reflecting the
iconic sculpture in Sutton Manor though the connections with other parts and
other characteristics of the area are less strong.
Once the brand name for the Forest Park has been selected the next stage will
be to commission the design of a brand identity with accompanying guidelines.
We recommend that within the guidelines a brand architecture is included that
articulates the relationship between the brand for the Forest Park and the
St.Helens and Mersey Forest brands. Our recommendation is that the brand for
the Forest Park acts as the primary brand at all times with the other brands
providing a secondary role around product ‘endorsement’ and ‘geographic
location’.
81
3. Existing Public Rights of Way in relation to Forest Park sites
2. Proposed networks for horse riding
1. Proposed Network for walking, jogging and off-road cycling
The following plans relate to the route descriptions in Section 9 on Connectivity.
PROPOSED MAIN NETWORKS FOR FOOT AND CYCLE WAYS AND EQUESTRIAN ROUTES
APPENDIX
Some sections in the plan involve use of public highway; ideally alternatives would be made available as described in Section 8. For instance the
length along Gorsey Lane could be avoided by ‘opening up’ the existing public right of way. See the following plan of Public Rights of Way.
The facing plan shows the suggested network of short and long circuits and inter-site connections, north and south of the motorway. It also shows
the suggested boundary of the Forest Park.
1. Proposed network for walking, jogging, off-road cycling
Routes across the motorway to join
the networks require either the
draining and re-opening the former
mineral line, or negotiating access
to the agricultural bridge over the
motorway with the local
landowner(s), or modifying an
existing footbridge (and right of
way) by ramping the entrance and
exit.
There are impediments that need to
be cleared, including zig-zag stiles.
The facing plan shows some routes
that might be used to form various
short and longer routes and
connections in the Forest Park area,
which avoid highways wherever
possible.
2. Proposed networks for horseriding - north and south of the
motorway.
JULY 2009
84
It is recommended that the Public Rights
of Way Officer confirms these routes and
reviews in detail the implications and
requirements to develop the route
networks above.
This plan shows the status of existing
paths etc and is taken from the
St.Helens Definitive Rights of Way plan,
showing footpaths, bridleways and a
‘Byway Open to All Traffic’ .
3. Existing Public Rights of Way in
relation to Forest Park sites
BOAT
Footpath
Bridleway
JULY 2009
85

St.Helens Forest Park Final Draft

Transcription

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