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June 2015

Elton ParklandVision and Concept Statement

January 2016

Contents

1. Introduction 03

2. Strategic Perspective 04

3. Parkland Proposition 05

4. Elton Parkland: The Opportunity 07

5. Placemaking Steps 12

6. Conceptual Framework 14

7. Conceptual Masterplan 16

8. Delivery Model 18

9. Narrative Illustrated 24

10. Benefits and Impact 30

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Date of issue11 January 2016

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2 Elton Parkland – Vision and Concept Statement

1. Introduction

This vision and concept statement sets a vision for sustainable growth at Elton, Bury, Greater Manchester.

1 Towards a Green Infrastructure Framework for Greater Manchester – AGMA/Natural England (TEP) 2008

2 GM Green Infrastructure Next Steps towards a Green Infrastructure Framework – AGMA/Natural England (TEP) 2010

3 Greater Manchester Strategy 2013-2020 Stronger Together – GMCA 2013

1.1 This document is part of a suite that sets out opportunities for urban extensions delivered with high quality green infrastructure in the north and west of Greater Manchester. The proposals could fulfil the objectives of the NPPF by boosting significantly the housing supply of Greater Manchester and delivering positive use of the Green Belt through public access, landscape improvements and enhanced biodiversity.

1.2 The statement draws on the findings of research by AGMA and Natural England 1,2. They support the vision shared by Greater Manchester Combined Authority that “By 2020, the Manchester city region will have pioneered a new model for sustainable economic growth based around a more connected, talented and greener city region where all our residents are able to contribute to and benefit from sustained prosperity and enjoy a good quality of life.” 3

1.3 It illustrates a vision for the creation of new parkland: Elton Parkland for Bury, which could provide 90ha of country park enabled by sustainable urban extensions of Bury and Radcliffe.

1.4 Elton Parkland would be centred on the area around Elton and Withins reservoirs. This is a sustainable location between the urban areas of Radcliffe and Bury.

1.5 Stakeholders, including Peel as a significant landowner, have aspirations for its conservation, enhancement and beneficial use. Other key stakeholders include Bury Council, the Canal and Rivers Trust, Transport for Greater Manchester and other landowners.

1.6 This prospectus sets out what could be achieved, and states how Peel’s land could help deliver an improved asset of real and lasting value for the communities of Bury and Radcliffe.

1.7 Elton Parkland could deliver circa 2,400 homes and circa 90ha of enhanced country park.

Elton Parkland – Vision and Concept Statement 3

2. Strategic perspective

2.1 The Greater Manchester Devolution Agreement will transfer a range of responsibilities into local control. The objective is to enable Greater Manchester to use devolved powers to deliver higher growth and help rebalance the UK economy.

2.2 The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is embarking on a strategic planning process - the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF). The GMSF will plan for employment and housing growth at Greater Manchester and borough scale and will identify strategic locations for growth.

2.3 It is clear from the evidence gathered to date that the scale of growth needed is significant. Greater Manchester’s needs for new homes and employment land cannot be met on land within the urban area alone. Planned urban expansion is needed. This expansion should be directed to sustainable locations.

This document sets out a vision for delivery of new homes to help meet Greater Manchester’s needs and the creation of Elton Parkland. It explores the contribution these could make to growth requirements and green infrastructure needs.

National Park

Borough boundaries

Motorway

Principal roads

Rail

Metrolink

Leigh, Salford and Manchester Busway

Proposed sustainable urban extension

Future Metrolink extension

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Green Belt

Elton Parkland


Green infrastructure, the natural spaces within and between our communities, contributes strongly to character and sense of place. Its benefits include helping to meet recreation needs, supporting biodiversity, promoting health and wellbeing and stimulating economic growth. Investment in more and better green infrastructure as part of meeting growth needs is an essential component of sustainable city growth.

Towards a Green Infrastructure Framework for Greater Manchester

2.4 “The green infrastructure of Greater Manchester is part of its life support system. It is a planned and managed network of natural environmental components and green spaces that intersperse and connect our urban centres, our suburbs and our rural fringe. In simple terms, it is our natural outdoor environment.”

2.5 This definition of Green Infrastructure (GI) in the GI Framework for Greater Manchester 1 provides a basis for understanding the nature and role of GI. Within Greater Manchester it defines this as:

1. Open spaces e.g. parks, woodlands, informal open spaces, nature reserves, lakes, historic sites and natural elements of built conservation areas, civic spaces and plazas, and accessible countryside.

2. Linkages e.g. river corridors and canals, pathways, cycle routes and greenways.

3. Networks of “urban green” i.e. the collective resource of private gardens, pocket parks, street trees, verges and green roofs.

Greater Manchester Strategy 2013-2020 Stronger Together (2013)

2.6 The quality of our natural environment has a direct economic impact, which is reflected in the fact that a high-quality environment contributes to the majority of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s 2 priorities for growth. Conversely, a poor quality environment will be a drag on progress towards these same goals.

The Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure

2.7 Research on the economic benefits of GI from ECOTEC by The Mersey Forest on behalf of Natural Economy Northwest 3 demonstrates GI investment brings eleven economic returns. Of particular relevance to Greater Manchester’s economy are the following four:

1. Enabling high-value housing and economic growth

2. Improving health and wellbeing

3. Improving Greater Manchester’s image as a place to visit and relocate to

4. Contributing to a low-carbon economy.

Planning Healthier Places – TCPA and Public Health England

2.8 Good quality, accessible green space and infrastructure can also provide many potential health and well-being benefits. The evidence put forward in publications such as Planning Healthier Places by the TCPA and Public Health England 4, strongly suggests that, at their best, green spaces can help reduce health inequalities and that both the improvement of existing, and creation of new, green infrastructure should be prioritised, especially in areas of greatest need.

2.9 It is therefore important to consider green infrastructure holistically and at landscape level as well as individual site scale. Benefits will be achieved most successfully if green space creation and management are integrated with more traditional land development and built infrastructure planning.

2.10 In responding to this a GI Framework is a positive, forward-looking system which promotes the means to foster positive change in areas of need and opportunity. If adopted at city-regional and local levels, it can help deliver the positive objectives of the planning system and can also deliver environmental and economic objectives of the various strategies already referenced.

Manchester Green Infrastructure Strategy

2.11 The recent Manchester Green (& Blue) Infrastructure Strategy5 for example sets out guidelines for the management of the city’s 160 parks. Its vision is that “by 2025 high-quality, well maintained green and blue spaces will be an integral part of all neighbourhoods. The city’s communities will be living healthy, fulfilled lives, enjoying access to parks and green spaces and safe green routes for walking, cycling and exercise throughout the city.”

2.12 The strategy will support the City of Manchester’s growth and its objectives are to:

• Use GI as a key component of new development to create successful neighbourhoods and support the city’s growth

• Improve quality and function of GI to maximise benefits

• Improve connectivity and accessibility to GI within the city and beyond

• Improve and promote a wider understanding and awareness of the benefits that GI provides to residents, the economy and the local environment.

2.13 These principles can be applied at a Greater Manchester level.

1 Towards a Green Infrastructure Framework for Greater Manchester - AGMA/Natural England (TEP) 2008

2 Greater Manchester Strategy 2013-2020 Stronger Together - GMCA 2013

3 The economic benefits of Green Infrastructure - Natural Economy Northwest 2009

4 Planning Healthier Places - TCPA and Public Health England 2013

5 Manchester Green Infrastructure Strategy - MCC March 2015

Greater Manchester – The City of Trees

2.14 Another initiative which complements the GI Infrastructure objectives is Greater Manchester – The City of Trees. This broad initiative objective is to Build a City of Trees – through the auspices of Red Rose Forest. It is aimed at the integration of all agencies interested in developing new tree planting and woodland across Greater Manchester. It also seeks to build relationships and encourage a range of other stakeholders to plant more trees.

Overview

2.15 It is clear that GI will increasingly play a major role in the delivery of sustainable economic growth for the whole city region. Elton Park could make a major contribution to this agenda.

Elton Parkland is a unique opportunity to combine meeting housing needs with the delivery of a new park. No other proposal for 2,400 homes in Greater Manchester can bring with it the delivery of a unique parkland offer – not only benefitting communities in Bury and the north west of Greater Manchester, but the whole of Greater Manchester.


2.16 Elton and Withins Reservoirs is a unique place and the wealth of environmental and landscape assets it contains provide an inspiration in their own right. The parkland design could respond to these features. In considering the potential they provide we have also studied examples of good practice elsewhere.

2.17 We have considered examples of successful city parks across the UK and Europe. These include large scale regeneration projects, strategic growth areas and reclamation projects.

2.18 A small sample of these precedents are included here.

Inspirations and precedents

Derwenthorpe, York

Housing from the Vinex project, The Netherlands Housing from the Vinex project, The Netherlands


Proposed Sustainable Urban Extensions

Greater Manchester Boundary

Pennines and Peak District

Proposed Parkland

Destination Parks1 - Haigh Hall2 - Pennington Flash3 - Rivington / Smithills4 - Moses Gate5 - Dunham6 - LIVIA inc. Clifton7 - Heaton Park8 - Alexandra Park9 - Sale Water Park10 - Philips Park11 - Alexandra Park12 - Hollingworth Lake13 - Lyme Park14 - Tatton Park

5km / 15min cycle ride

1

3. Parkland proposition

1 Towards a Green Infrastructure Framework for Greater Manchester – AGMA/Natural England (TEP) 2008

3.1 There is a major opportunity in the Elton and Withins Reservoir and surrounding area to create a new and exciting place, that captures sustainable growth and uses the opportunity it presents to address local Green Infrastructure need and make a major contribution to a greener city region. The development of a series of new sustainable urban extensions can enable the development of Elton Parkland. This approach would deliver urban extensions to help meet Greater Manchester’s housing needs whilst opening up a currently inaccessible area of Green Belt and countryside for the benefit of residents of the new and existing communities, alongside environmental enhancements.

3.2 Greater Manchester’s Green Infrastructure Framework1, commissioned by AGMA identified 14 “destination parks” across Greater Manchester. The parks as selected, are within 5km (or 15 min cycling) of their adjacent communities, and generally show good accessibility. However, parts of Wigan and Salford around the Mosslands and parts of Bury and Bolton are poorly provided for. The proposed Elton Parkland could complement existing provision and significantly enhance Greater Manchester’s green infrastructure offer.

3.3 Elton Parkland would be delivered as part of the implementation of proposed urban extensions of Bury and Radcliffe. Development of c. 2,400 homes can generate capital (raised through a CIL planning contribution and tariff per home) to deliver the park in a phased manner. Long-term maintenance could be addressed through several mechanisms, one of which could be a service charge on the homes (enabled through a planning process).

3.4 Peel can achieve this because of its extensive landholdings where access rights can be granted and by partnerships with others. The parkland could be delivered by creating enhanced public access, better and additional circulation systems, visitor facilities and associated landscape improvements and biodiversity initiatives. It could incorporate the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal and Irwell Sculpture Trail that pass through the site.


Elton and Withins reservoirs are attractive features on the edges of Bury and Radcliffe, located almost equidistant from the two town centres. The areas around the reservoirs provide an opportunity to help meet housing needs, and the area central to both reservoirs offers increased recreational opportunities, enhancing accessibility, activity and setting.

4.1 New residential development here could facilitate a sequence of green infrastructure works which create a high quality strategic green space. A new parkland that provides a major environmental and recreational asset for existing and future communities.

Understanding the place4.2 Future development and change on the scale proposed need a sound appreciation of context. Good planning and good design is about shaping development in response to the constraints and opportunities evident in the wider and immediate locality. We recognise that development on any scale would need to respect and respond to context.

Green Belt4.3 Meeting Bury and Greater Manchester’s housing needs will require Green Belt review. The opportunity area sits at the southern tip of an area of Green Belt which is entirely surrounded by built development, some of which is currently ‘washed over’ by Green Belt. The area is somewhat disconnected from the wider Green Belt.

4.4 This limits its strategic Green Belt function. The area presents itself as a logical growth location to accommodate urban extension of Bury and Radcliffe whilst retaining a significant parkland offer. This green infrastructure can be realised as a Country Park – an accessible, high quality landscape and recreation asset.

Green Belt extent with ownership boundary

RADCLIFFE TOWN CENTRE

BURY TOWN CENTRE

ELTON RESERVOIR

WITHINS RESERVOIR

Green belt

Opportunity area

Town centres

4. Elton Parkland: The opportunity


Accessibility of community facilities

Accessibility4.5 The opportunity area lies between Bury and Radcliffe town centres, providing immediate access to a range of services and facilities. This is supplemented by multiple services throughout the more immediate urban areas, including several primary schools, GP surgeries, dentists and local shopping provision.

4.6 The site is well positioned with good public transport services. Radcliffe and Bury Metrolink stops are within walking distance and bus services are present on Bolton Road, Ashworth Road and Bury Road. There is also the opportunity for future tram stops/stations.

4.7 The area supports a network of public footpaths including the towpath of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal which passes through the site. The towpath is part of the National Cycle Network. The Irwell Sculpture Trail also passes through the site.

4.8 The existing waterscape and topography offer an opportunity to create a strong and attractive landscape setting. A disused railway line which crosses the northern part of the site provides potential for improved access to Bury and a new gateway into the town centre.

Hospital

Place of worship

High school

Primary school

Dentist

Local shops

Green spaces

Doctor’s surgery


Extensive movement network including multiple public rights of way

Irwell Sculpture Trail

National Cycle Route 6

Public Right of Way

Metrolink station

Metrolink route

Principal road

Off road cycle route


Habitat and ecology Historic environment and recreation

Habitat and ecology• Site has inherent ecological and biodiversity value

• Potential habitats will be assessed and managed as part of the creation of a country park

• Proposals offer scope for enhancement and management of wildlife interest.

Historic environment and recreation• There are two listed structures within the site.

They would be conserved as part of the proposals

• Heritage links along canal and river

• Route of former Roman Road passes north-south across the site

• Recreation ambitions expressed through previous Local Plan policy.

Wildlife Links and Corridors (Policy EN6/4)

Managed Nature Park proposed as part of Spen Moor Development

Site of Biological Importance (Policy EN6/2 - Sites of Nature Conservation Interest)

Irwell Sculpture Trail

National Cycle Route 6

Public Right of Way

Route of former Roman Road

Listed Building

Scheduled Monument


Flood risk• Whole site in Flood Zone 1 – low risk

• Reservoirs fed from north east and outlet drains to south into River Irwell

• Land drainage and water management to be incorporated into development.

Resources and hard infrastructure• Parts of the site south of Elton Reservoir subject

to mineral safeguarding policy

• Overhead power lines cross the site

• Former rail corridor offers potential for pedestrian and cycle use.

Flood risk Resources and hard infrastructure

River Irwell and tributaries

Flood Zone 3

Flood Zone 2

Disused railway line

Protection of mineral resources

Overhead power lines


Step 2 – Visual context• Broad visual corridors pass through the area – broadly influenced by the ridged

landform, and in some locations contained through shallow valleys. These extend beyond the opportunity area, to the east in particular.

• Through the central area specific views become evident which start to define potentially significant viewpoints, which can influence development form.

• There is a strong visual connection between the two water bodies, which ‘read’ as one.

5.1 New development should not only respect existing landscape features but fully integrate them into a new urban form which can in turn shape a new landscape. Therefore the design approach for development must start with, be led by and shaped by the environmental features of the area.

5.2 The following sequence of plans illustrates our approach to masterplanning the site and define key concepts that can shape development going forward.

5. Contextual analysis

Step 1 – Landscape context • Topographic variation is relatively limited and localised, with a general fall in level from

north to south. These subtle changes start to define ‘parcels’ and ‘plateaus’.

• A distinct ridge crosses east-west – extending from the crematorium through to the eastern end of Elton Reservoir. At this eastern end the ridge is pronounced as a man-made landform containing the water body.

• This creates the sense of ‘upper’ and ‘lower’ areas, to the north and south respectively.

The site has the essential components of a high quality place. It is well connected to existing facilities; has a strong landscape framework; and can deliver logical and sustainable expansion of existing communities.


Step 3 – Landscape character• Informal assessment identifies sub-areas with common landscape characteristics;

complexity of land form, natural / semi-natural features and potential biodiversity value.

• These groupings provide the basis for informal mapping of relative ‘intensity of value’, on a scale of 1-5. 1 being low intensity, and 5 being land with a high intensity value.

Step 4 – Defining a future parkland• The layers of analysis through steps 1-3 begin to define where most value could be

derived through retention and enhancement of a reservoir parkland.

• It is this area where intensification in accessibility should be promoted to maximise the Country Park potential.

Step 5 – Responsive development defined• The residual land forms the development opportunity: a new built environment focused

on and shaped by a significant and high value open landscape.

• Development is contained to the northern and southern areas: the ‘upper’ and ‘lower’, maintaining a sense of separation between Bury and Radcliffe.


6.1 This plan demonstrates the potential for a cohesive sustainable place, attractive to residents, visitors and wildlife. It envisages a scale of housing development that:

• Delivers circa 2,400 new homes and around 90ha of new / enhanced country park

• Makes a significant contribution to strategic growth ambitions and meets evidenced housing needs

• Balances built form and open landscape, creating a substantial parkland that can act as a major recreation asset

• Maximises the reservoirs, canal and river as key assets of the local area

• Incorporates the Irwell Sculpture Trail

• Enhances landscape quality, wildlife value and biodiversity

• Creates and improves pedestrian and cycle links within and between existing communities

• Responds to natural topographic characteristics, shaping and enhancing local views

• Can properly address the park, providing valuable frontages and a safe environment.

6. Conceptual framework

The concept framework is informed by the sequence of key design steps. It shows the potential for high quality homes as extensions of Bury and Radcliffe enabling the delivery of a publicly accessible country park.


Proposed development

Parkland Boundary

Primary access roads

Pedestrian connectivity

Canalside route


7. Conceptual masterplan

The Conceptual Masterplan shows possible ideas to capitalise on and enhance the existing diversity of open recreational and natural spaces surrounding the Elton and Withins reservoirs.

The proposals7.1 Elton Parkland seeks to create a new and useable publicly accessible park in a part of Greater Manchester where there is a gap in the provision. It seeks to be accessible to all ages and for a large range of uses and users, all centred on leisure and recreational pursuits.

7.2 The park could contain a unique range of landscape characters given its wetland and semi aquatic habitats and open grasslands. These habitats could be linked by a series of interconnected pathways – some upgraded existing and some new.

7.3 The park could be host to new Country Park facilities, car parks and open areas. The area’s rich history could be explained and interpreted. This could cover the natural flora and fauna, through to its man-made industrial heritage with the historic canals and rail line.

7.4 There is the potential for new habitat areas, regenerating wetland or sensitive grassland areas crisscrossed by pathways, where nature can be viewed easily and safely, close up and first hand by all.

7.5 Investment in Elton Parkland could further enhance the Irwell Sculpture Trail through increased activity and use of the trail linked to a wider set of green infrastructure investments.

Masterplan elementsCharacter and themes

• The park could incorporate the best aspects of a recreational country park and a wildlife conservation park.

• The park could be based on environmental ideals of biodiversity and landscape regeneration, alongside modern concepts of green infrastructure and shared public networks for recreation and permeability.

Connectivity

The park area could be accessible to large numbers of people via upgraded road access and the improvement of existing pathways. New pathways could be created for pedestrians and cycles to aid penetration of the large area and create varied lengths of looped routes.

• New way finding and signage to direct people into and around the Parkland’s resource and navigate its many attractions – natural and man-made.

• Greenways – created to enhance visitor enjoyment – with new planting and seating areas.

Built elements

• New facility buildings could be provided to serve the needs of leisure users. These could be located at opposite entrances to the Park.


Existing trees

Proposed trees

Grassland habitat – species rich – managed for wetland and scrub

Wetland - managed for species rich grass/sedges/scrub and woodland regeneration

Retained Agricultural fields with intensified hedgerow planting

Amenity grassland

Water bodies

Proposed development

C

B

A

POSSIBLE BUILT INTERVENTIONS

1. Potential new parking access / area

2. Potential enhanced leisure area

D

A

Hedges

D

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

B

B

B

B

B

B

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

B

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

Built interventions

1

1

13

2

Spen Moor development


8. Delivery model

Elton Parkland could be delivered in key steps which focus on the management of landscape components and infrastructure interventions. The suggested works follow the theme of increased activation, enhanced biodiversity and maximising connectivity.

8.1 The delivery of this new parkland and its long term management will require a partnership approach which combines the efforts and aligns the agendas of a range of stakeholders. This will allow stakeholders’ aspirations to be discussed, quantified, programmed and costed for delivery over set timescales.

8.2 Proposals should be supported by an Integrated Management Plan which will set all the elements down in a working action programme.

8.3 The outline delivery process is set out below as a starting point for these discussions. It is split into two parts:

Part 1 – Strategy and mechanism for delivery

• Agreement of overall concept and delivery mechanism including urban extensions and funding approach.

• Planning process to provide certainty and framework for delivery.

Part 2 – Themes: detailed proposals in broad categories1. Access infrastructure – increased activation

2. Habitat Enhancement – increased biodiversity

3. Built Interventions – maximising connectivity

Part 3 – Sequencing8.4 The concept will be refined and a robust and logical delivery plan will be developed following dialogue with other key stakeholders.


8.5 The extensive recreational and environmental improvements envisaged to deliver Elton Parkland would be facilitated through building of new homes adjacent to the new park.

8.6 This represents a strategic fit with the Greater Manchester growth strategy, where new sustainable development can be linked with green infrastructure improvements.

8.7 The extent of new house building that Peel envisages, to help deliver the vibrant green infrastructure in the area takes the form of new sustainable development.

8.8 This new development could provide a total of around 2,400 new homes. This represents a significant level of growth that will require additional support in the way of new green infrastructure and community facilities. A fantastic opportunity exists to deliver the vision for Elton Parkland through these housing proposals.

8.9 The housing could generate both capital for initial investment in Elton Parkland (through a tariff per dwelling built) and revenue for long term maintenance (through a service charge on the development).

8.10 The Strategy and Mechanism for Delivery can be secured through the planning process. Firstly, through the identification and promotion of the Elton Parkland and the sustainable development in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

8.11 Then, legal agreements could be used at the consenting stage to link the delivery of new homes to Elton Parkland. This would cover three components of:

1. Land and access

2. A levy for investment

3. Service charge for management and maintenance.

Part 1 – Strategy and mechanism for delivery

Urban Extension Key Plan Precedent Imagery of new homes delivered alongside green infrastructure


Access infrastructure – increased activation 8.12 Improvements to, and extensions of, the existing public access arrangements to the park landscape resource, would need to be a primary objective. These could involve investment in public infrastructure, with substantially increased activation for public use and enjoyment. The ultimate intention would be to create a linked and permeable network, which is safe and legible, and that allows for recreation and leisure use along the existing reservoirs and canals and open amenity and wildlife areas. All routes would be linked to the improvement of existing, and new, access points to communities surrounding the Parkland. They could also connect to the existing sculpture trail.

8.13 Works envisaged for access and infrastructure include:

• The improvement to existing footpaths within the landscape – widening where appropriate (to allow joint cycleway use), resurfacing as appropriate to the use intended and the character of location, plus provision of way finding signage in selected locations.

• New footpath/cycleways added to the existing pathway and Rights of Way system, surfacing as appropriate to the use intended and the character of location, plus provision of way finding signage.

• Improvements to the existing road (lane) network in selected location – involving repairs to road make up and general resurfacing; plus way finding signage and lighting in selected locations.

• Limited building of new roads / parking areas within the park envelope to link with proposed built interventions; with integral footpath cycleways.

8.14 We are aware there is aspiration for a new tram stop which could be procured through the GM Transport Strategy to support the development.

Part 2 – Themes

Public rights of way

Primary access roads

Secondary routes

Primary route/cycleway

New routes

Primary entrance points


Habitat enhancement – increased biodiversity species rich grassland and wetland 8.15 The Elton Parkland would cover a large area of important public open space within the context of Greater Manchester. The Elton and Withins reservoirs and the Manchester and Bury canal are important for their own sake, as historical remnants of Manchester’s industrial past, but they are also a major opportunity for improved provision of recreational space locally. The park could also offer a key point within the context of destination parks in Greater Manchester and could contribute significantly to Greater Manchester’s aspirations to become a sustainable city which is walkable and cycleable. Currently, Elton Reservoir is home to migrant and resident bird populations and attracts a number of different species throughout the year. The proposals for the new Country Park could absorb existing aspirations where possible from all parties interested in wildlife and habitats, and seek to surpass these expectations, by increasing biodiversity which compensates for the new residential development within the site.

8.16 Opportunities and interventions envisaged for habitat and biodiversity enhancement include:

• Manage regeneration of natural habitats on site by general maintenance plus new hot spot planting areas shrubs and grasses to encourage habitat and natural community development.

• Manage existing grassland zones in areas agreed with tenant farmers to encourage species rich grassland

• Areas of long grass to support a higher diversity of species and insects.

• Wet grassland zones could be created in areas surrounding the site’s reservoirs and drainage channels by selective planting of appropriate wetland species along channel edges and limiting public interference by creating raised boardwalks where appropriate.

Grassland habitat – species rich – managed for wetland and scrub.

Wetland – managed for species rich grass/hedges/scrub and woodland regeneration.


Amenity grassland and managed agriculture 8.17 Alongside increased habitat and biodiversity within Greater Manchester, the park could also provide a considerable amount of open amenity space and retained agricultural uses. These areas of grassland could be developed with consideration to which areas of the park hold the lowest potential for habitat enhancement and the proximity to the proposed new development on site. Management of these areas would be specific to their function within the park. Areas could be identified as either formal private use as shared courtyard spaces enclosed by the new development or as open recreational space within the park catering for a wider variety of users. A considerable amount of agriculture could be retained on site in those areas of least value to creating a biodiverse habitat.

Retained Agricultural fields with intensified hedgerow planting

Amenity grassland


Woodland and tree groupings 8.18 The woodland element of the parkland could create a rich green setting for the proposition. Opportunities envisaged for the woodland structure include:

• Meeting the aspirations and objectives of the Manchester City of Trees initiative – including managing woodland and adding value; educating young people by growing or adopting trees in the park.

• New hot spot planting areas of trees, could encourage new habitat and natural community development.

• Areas of new tree groupings using matrix planting of small transplants (1+1 and 2+1) could be complemented and reinforced by 5% new feather trees (1.2-1.8m).

• Management of existing grassland zones in areas agreed with tenant farmers to develop species diversity and richness, and where appropriate encourage regeneration of scrub woodland.

• Encourage species diversity through creating site specific habitats by selecting tree species appropriate to the park’s underlying hydrology. ie alder/birch in areas closer to water bodies or with a higher water table.

• Existing woodland could be retained and enhanced as identified in an agreed management plan with species specific management prescriptions developed and programmed for action.

• New fences could be placed where appropriate to protect new woodland groups from damage by pests and other natural threats or by selective use of tree guards in smaller groupings.

• Hedges could be retained and enhanced with new planting in areas bounding retained agricultural fields.

Existing trees

Hedges

Proposed trees


9. Narrative illustrated

Parkland vision9.1 Peel’s vision for Elton Parkland is bold and inclusive. It aims to deliver a unique and modern piece of Green Infrastructure for Greater Manchester that could:

• Enhance public access for passive recreation, walking and cycling

• Create areas for active recreation, trails, water based recreational activities and events

• Provide local access to resources and interpretation of this unique setting

• Increase biodiversity and enhance natural habitats

• Foster the restoration of important landscapes and ecological features

• Enhance sustainability prospects and encourage healthier lifestyles.

9.2 The Elton Parkland could be an integrated environment, balancing the needs of ecology, nature conservation, habitat biodiversity as well as providing valuable access to outdoor recreation and leisure facilities. Its integration with neighbouring communities and associated residential development could make a valuable contribution to the overall quality of life and the promotion of outdoor activities and wellbeing in Greater Manchester.

Elton Parkland could be a park combining recreation and activation with restoration and conservation. It would be facilitated by urban extensions of Bury and Radcliffe.


Landscape led development9.3 The Elton Parkland could serve a variety of residential users and those who wish to use its improved waterways and paths for recreation. By investing in the maintenance both of the waterways and the management of the surrounding landscape, residents who live nearby and within the areas of proposed development could have shared access to a resource which will see the promotion of healthier outdoor activity based lifestyles.

9.4 Landscaped areas fringing the canal could allow residents and their children a place to meet around a common activity either centred around recreational use of the canal and waterways or to simply socialize outdoors with passive surveillance from neighbours also living in waterfront properties.

Access to water9.5 There is an opportunity to provide decking and jettys to allow a level of public access to the park’s water bodies that was not possible before. By creating levelled decks where previously the lake edge had been too steep to access, users could access the water for a variety of leisure and recreational purposes. These areas could be able to moor a variety of small leisure boats and will also include new way finding and signage and hard wearing outdoor seating and picnic and barbecue areas.


Non-motorised watersports centre9.6 At the northern edge of Elton Reservoir there is the potential for an artificial beach and watersports facility to increase the use of the reservoir for water-based sports activities.

9.7 An artificial beach could allow increased access for a variety of leisure pursuits. The centre could also contain a cafe which can be used by locals and users who use the park’s paths for passive leisure activities and for running and cycling.

9.8 A raised boardwalk with integrated seating could serve as a place where users can meet and also as a space where events could take place.

Habitat and access management9.9 The Withins Reservoir could be transformed into a managed wetland habitat to increase the biodiversity of the park. Access to the reservoir could be provided via a series of linked piers and elevated boardwalks so as to minimise damage to the lakeshore habitat.

9.10 By allowing natural regeneration to take place at the water’s edge, the amount of vegetation which is capable of supporting aquatic and terrestrial mammals and insects could increase. As a result the resident bird populations could increase and the park could become a destination which attracts greater numbers of birdwatchers throughout the year.


10. Benefits and impact

Community benefits 10.1 Elton Parkland could deliver significant benefits for Greater Manchester. It can help meet an identified need to deliver new attractive and sustainable homes. The residential development could deliver around 2,400 new homes with a population of around 6,000 people. The new homes could also create a diverse housing supply, including a mix of open market and affordable homes.

Environmental benefits 10.2 At the heart of the proposals is a green infrastructure strategy, the benefits of which could positively affect the region. The Elton proposal would include around 90ha of accessible parkland. Alongside improvements to cycleways and waterbodies the green infrastructure strategy is dynamic and multifunctional.

10.3 The existing natural assets could also be enhanced, improving the biodiversity of the wider area.

Economic benefits10.4 Elton Parkland could have a considerable positive impact on the local economy. The proposed mix of homes could also encourage more economically active households and therefore increased levels of disposable income to the area.

10.5 The increased population could also significantly boost the public revenue, with circa £3.9 million of additional council tax revenue over a one year period.

The combination of factors at Elton Parkland provides the opportunity to create a new sustainable neighbourhood. Green Infrastructure becomes a key driver for growth and competitiveness in this context.


£270m Investment in construction of the proposed development

£5.3m GVA Economic output contribution per annum

Of residents projected to be employed in higher skilled and

income professional occupations

£17m Annual household expenditure on leisure goods and services

Uplift in gross annual income from new residents

Annual household retail expenditure

New Homes Bonus to Salford City Council

Increase in Council Tax revenue annually

New footpaths and cycleways

Bus connectivity and potential future tram links

New and improved public open space and woodland

111 gross FTE (Full Time Equivalent) temporary job per annum on site during construction (circa 24 years)

83 direct FTE (Full Time Equivalent) temporary jobs per annum

42 indirect/induced FTE temporary jobs per annum

£30m

£60.1m

46% £24m

£3.9m

The proposed new housing and parkland could deliver significant social, economic and environmental benefits for the local communities and borough as a whole.


Elton Parklanddavebentleyecology.co.uk/doc/Parkland_2_Elton_Parkland... · 2019-01-12 · 1.6 This...

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Transcript of Elton Parklanddavebentleyecology.co.uk/doc/Parkland_2_Elton_Parkland... · 2019-01-12 · 1.6 This...