Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan

EXECUTIVE DECISION RECORDING SYSTEM REFERENCE NO: 08090136

DELEGATED REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGENERATION

16 SEPTEMBER 2008

MOSTON BROOK GREEN CORRIDOR - FEASIBILITY STUDY AND ASPIRATIONAL MASTERPLAN

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGENERATION AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

1. PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 To provide information on the Moston Brook Green corridor initiative, in particular the completion of a Feasibility Study and the production of an Aspirational Master- plan for the area.

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2.1 The Moston Brook Green Corridor is a strategically important 60 hectares area of green space that stretches from the Rochdale Canal at Failsworth, to Dean Lane in East Manchester. Designated as protected open space, the Corridor contains areas of biological importance and is a space used for both recreation and antisocial behaviour. Despite its greenspace value, strategic location and proximity to major regeneration sites, Moston Brook is currently failing to achieve its full potential.

2.2 Following the establishment of the Moston Brook Partnership, funding from the two local authorities (Oldham and Manchester) was used to commission a Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan for the Corridor. Carried out by Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, the aim of the work was to provide an assessment of the site at present and of its potential to be a high quality green space asset in the future.

2.3 Following lengthy consultation with local residents, the two local authorities and other key stakeholders, the final version of the Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan have now been produced. These are expected to be formally signed off th by the Moston Brook Partnership Steering Group on 24 September 2008, and now formal approval of the documents is being sought from the two local authorities.

3. RECOMMENDATION(S)

3.1 To approve the Moston Brook Corridor Feasibility Study and endorse the following recommendations contained within it which suggest:

• Conducting intrusive site investigation in order to examine the potential pollutant linkages identified, and determine what measures need to be taken 1 to reduce the risks as far as possible

• The removal of Japanese Knotweed and other invasive species

• Elimination of the pollution within Moston Brook, through the introduction of reed-bed systems and re-meandering of the brook

• Prioritising routeways throughout the site to control public access, and the installation of a ‘green bridge’ across Broadway to provide the ‘missing link’ in the creation of a main routeway through the corridor

• Additional surveying of bats, birds, water voles and woodland ground flora

• Further consultation/ continued engagement of the residents and groups – particularly around key improvements in the master plan that would require detailed consultation prior to implementation; such as the natural waterplay area, mountain bike tracks, skateable features etc.

• The need to formalise and develop the structure of the Moston Brook Partnership to ensure the successful future of the site

3.2 To approve the Aspirational Masterplan for the Moston Brook Corridor and endorse the proposals contained within it.

3.2 To confirm the Council’s commitment to the implementation of the Action Plan contained within the Moston Brook Corridor Feasibility Study.

2 MOSTON BROOK GREEN CORRIDOR – FEASIBILITY STUDY AND ASPIRATIONAL MASTERPLAN

4. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

4.1 Moston Brook Green Corridor – Location, Form and Function

The Moston Brook Green Corridor is a strategically important area of green space that stretches from the Rochdale Canal at Failsworth, to Dean Lane in East Manchester. Covering around 60 hectares (approximately 40 hectares of which fall within the borough of Oldham), the corridor straddles the boundary between Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council and Manchester City Council, and is situated within the wards of Failsworth West, Failsworth East and Chadderton South in Oldham, Moston and Newton Heath in Manchester.

The Green Corridor is made up of four distinct sites – Wrigley Head, Hardman Fold, Broadway Common, and Moston Fairway.

The area is designated as Other Protected Open Space (OPOL) within Oldham’s Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and River Valley within Manchester’s UDP, with additional protection in place for the biologically important Rochdale Canal (SSSI and SAC) and Moston Fairways site (SBI).

Most of the Moston Brook Green Corridor is currently either used as a space for informal recreational, unused, or a venue for antisocial/environmental crime activities.

Surrounded by economic and housing regeneration initiatives, but with poor physical and operational connections, the Moston Brook Green Corridor site is currently failing to fulfil its potential, providing little, if any, support or added value to the wider regeneration activity at either the local or sub-regional level.

Similarly, despite the major road and rail/ metrolink routes that dissect the site, the greenspace corridor has become invisible, not really registering on the mental map of local people, or those commuters that regularly travel through and alongside it.

4.2 Moston Brook Partnership

Although the Moston Brook Corridor contains areas of natural beauty and historic interest, these qualities have been blighted by problems such as fly-tipping and off- road bike nuisance.

In recognition of the problems affecting the Moston Brook Green Corridor, and with support from both Council Leaders, a series of meetings were held between Oldham and Manchester Councils during 2006, and a wider Moston Brook Partnership established in 2007.

Within the Partnership, a Steering Group, Officers Group and Contaminated Land Sub-group have been set up to drive forward this huge task. The membership of these groups include councillors, officers and residents, from both Manchester and Oldham, and representatives from other relevant agencies such as Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, Groundwork Manchester, Salford and Trafford and the Environment Agency.

4.3 Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan

Following the establishment of the Moston Brook Partnership, the two local authorities (Oldham and Manchester) pooled funding streams to provide £40,000 to conduct a thorough survey of the Moston Brook corridor and establish priorities for action and further funding bids.

In June 2007, this funding was used to commission the production of a Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan for the Moston Brook Green Corridor. Carried out by Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, the aim of the work was to provide an assessment of the site at present and of its potential to be a high quality green space asset in the future.

To ensure the study and masterplan were informed by site’s complex ecological and contaminated land issues a Phase 1 Ecological Survey (produced by Greater Manchester Ecological Unit), and a Preliminary Risk Assessment (carried out by Parsons Brinckerhoff), were commissioned by Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale. In addition, the study was also informed by the 2002 Pollution Prevention report produced by Atkins on behalf of the Environment Agency.

5. CURRENT POSITION

5.1 Following lengthy consultation with local residents, the two local authorities and other key stakeholders, the final version of the Moston Brook Corridor Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan have now been produced. The Study and Masterplan are due to be formally signed off by the Moston Brook Partnership th Steering Group on Wednesday 24 September 2008.

5.2 Feasibility Study Recommendations

The feasibility study identifies the opportunities and constraints within the Moston Brook Corridor, and makes recommendations on how the area could be brought forward in accordance with the overall strategic vision. These recommendations include:

• Conducting intrusive site investigation in order to examine the potential pollutant linkages identified, and determine what measures need to be taken to reduce the risks as far as possible

• Removal of Japanese Knotweed (and other invasive species)

• Elimination of the pollution within Moston Brook, through introduction of reed- bed systems and re-meandering of the brook

• Additional surveying of bats, birds, water voles and woodland ground flora

• Further Consultation/ continued engagement of the residents and groups – Particularly around key improvements in the master plan that would require detailed consultation prior to implementation; such as the natural waterplay area, mountain bike tracks, skateable features etc.

• The need to formalise and develop the structure of the Moston Brook Partnership to ensure the successful future of the site

5.3 Action Plan

The Study is also supported by a 10 year action plan which sets out how the vision will be delivered, and identifies key actions to be undertaken by all of the Partnership members. For example:

Partnership Example of Key Action Areas Member Environment Monitor the water quality of the Moston Brook watercourse Agency Carry out a programme of water quality research and interventions. Investigate and take action to prevent pollution (from combined sewer overflows, landfill leachate, industrial sites etc.) Forestry Develop a long-term woodland management plan for the site Commission, and secure funding for woodland management Pennine Edge Forest / Red Rose Forest Greater Survey Moston Fairways Site of Biological Importance (SBI) Manchester and review SBI status Ecological Unit Produce detailed biodiversity assessments for the site and (GMEU) encourage regular surveys Lancashire Develop and implement a management plan for the Moston Wildlife Trust Fairways Site of Biological Importance (SBI) Oldham Council Manage and Facilitate the Moston Brook Partnership, the Steering Group and associated Sub-groups. Ensure the Moston Brook Masterplan and Action Plan is integrated into the wider strategic planning and policy framework. Secure external funding for further site investigations (Newlands 2 Programme) Develop detailed proposals for enhancement of Lower Memorial Park and creation of an integrated Recreational Cluster at Broadway Common. Investigate the potential for the creation of a ‘green bridge’ across Broadway. Improve access to / links with Metrolink stations at Failsworth and Hollinwood Manchester City Ensure the Moston Brook Masterplan and Action Plan is Council / Irk integrated into the wider strategic planning and policy Valley Project framework. Ensure the Moston Brook Corridor forms an effective part of the Irk Valley network through co-ordinated access and signage improvements Take steps to maximise S.106 contributions from planned/ proposed housing developments within 500m of the site. Carry out and commission regular public consultation events Carry out and commission regular public engagement events Waterways Ensure the Moston Brook Masterplan and Action plan are fully Trust / British integrated into the Rochdale Canal Regeneration Strategy and Waterways other strategic initiatives. Trust Secure funding for canal management and improvement Develop improved canal-side facilities

5.4 Aspirational Masterplan

The aspirational masterplan portrays the overall vision for the Moston Brook Corridor. Aiming to create a river corridor of regional importance, this vision seeks to develop the Corridor around five themes:

• Accessibility: ensuring that Moston Brook is accessible for all.

• Movement: emphasising the role as a key green corridor and at the same time linking all the areas with the creation of a ‘Moston Brook Way’ multi-user route, and link routes to key transport nodes (e.g. Metrolink stations) and community facilities.

• Ecology: encouraging and enhancing the ecological richness of Moston Brook. In particular through remediation of the watercourse.

• Art: use of art in the form of gateways sculptures and structures to create focal points and new ways of looking at nature.

• Recreation: use of the natural elements and shapes to create innovative recreational spaces such as a natural water play area and mountain bike circuits. Focusing on two key locations, namely a large ‘Recreation Cluster’ at Broadway Common (building on the existing park and sports facilities), and a less formal ‘commuter park’ at Wrigley Head (providing an attractive setting for the Rochdale Canal, the local business community and residents)

6. OPTIONS / ALTERNAT IVES

6.1 The production of the study and masterplan involved the consideration of and consultation on a number of options. Details of these are contained within the Feasibility Study itself.

7. PREFERRED OPTION

7.1 The completed Feasibility Study, Aspirational Masterplan and Action Plan represent the preferred option.

8. CONSULTATION

8.1 In producing the study and masterplan, Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale have carried out extensive community consultation and worked in close partnership with a number of organisations. In particular, the respective leads from the various Local Authorities departments, the Environment Agency and Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority contributed to the process.

8.2 Full details of the consultation undertaken are contained within Appendix A of the Feasibility Study Document (attached).

9. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

9.1 The recommendations to approve the Feasibility Study and Masterplan do not have any direct financial implications. However, the implementation of the Moston Brook

7 Corridor Action Plan will involve some commitment of resources by the Council.

9.2 As indicated in the Action Plan the commitment will be primarily time (from staff across the council, but primarily within Regeneration and Environmental Services Directorates). A small financial commitment (£1,000 - £2,000) to fund an annual consultation/community engagement event within the Moston Brook Corridor as part of the Rochdale Canal Festival is also specified within the plan. This commitment would be met from within the existing budget for the Rochdale Canal Festival budget so would not require any new funding allocations. However, with regular reviews of the Action Plan there is the potential for new areas of financial commitment to be identified, however these are expected to remain small.

9.3 The minimal financial commitment for the council within the Action Plan reflects the intention to fund the majority of the implementation by accessing external funding. For example, through existing bids to the NWDA funded Newlands programme and the Transport Innovation Fund programme, as well as proposed grant applications for Sustrans funding (as a section of the National Cycle Route 66 runs through the site), and the Lottery funded ‘Access to Nature’ and ‘Community Spaces’ grant schemes.

10. CORPORATE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMENTS

10.1 Not applicable.

11. LEGAL SERVICES’ COMMENTS

11.1 The adoption of the master plan does not of itself have any specific legal implications. If the master plan is adopted, officers implementing the master plan will need to seek advice as appropriate on specific proposals. Examples would include procurement of contractors and consideration of the legal issues arising from the closer partnership working proposed in the report. (SL)

12. TREASURER’S COMMENTS

12.1 There is a small financial implication to the Council, this represents revenue expenditure and will be a charge against the Regeneration – Strategy Division revenue budget.

12.2 A provision has been made available for the cost to be allocated to.

12.3 The scheme will be phased and financed as follows:

2008/09 £’000 Call on Council resources 2.0

12.4 In respect of the call on council resources, in the event of utilisation of loan, the annual loan charges based on the minimum provision in respect of debt redemption will be £180. (JK)

8 13. IT IMPLICATIONS

13.1 The recommendations within this report have no IT implications.

14. PROPERTY IMPLICATIONS

14.1 For the majority of the Moston Brook Corridor land ownership is split between:

• Oldham Council (Wrigley Head and Broadway Common sections), • Manchester City Council (Hardman Fold and Broadway Common), and • Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Agency (Hardman Fold and Broadway Common).

The main exceptions to this are the Moston Fairways section (owned by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and The Duchy of Lancaster), and the section of the Rochdale canal and towpath that falls within the site (owned by the Waterways Trust).

14.2 Within the Moston Brook Corridor area, responsibility for the Oldham Council property is split between Regeneration and Environmental Services. The Regeneration Directorate is responsible for the Wrigley Head section up to the Rochdale Canal and Environmental Services Directorate is responsible for the Wrigley Head section from the canal to Hale Lane, and for the Council landholding within the Broadway Common section. These various Council and GMWDA land holdings within Oldham are shown shaded and cross-hatched in the plan below.

9 14.3 Therefore, approval of the Feasibility Study, Aspirational Masterplan and associated action plan will have implications for the way in which the Council’s assets (referred to above) will be managed, developed and improved over the next 10 years.

15. ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH & SAFETY IMPLICATIONS

15.1 The recommendations above do not have any direct environmental and/or health and safety implications. However the implementation of the Action Plan would result in improvements to both the environmental quality of the site (for example through woodland thinning, wildflower planting, and potential remediation of contamination) and the safety of the site (for example through installation of access controls, and the application of a ‘secure by design’ approach to any detailed landscape design schemes).

16. COMMUNITY COHESION IMPLICATIONS (INCLUDING CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 17 OF THE ACT)

16.1 The recommendations above do not have any direct community cohesion implications. However the approval of these strategic documents will provide a framework that will help drive forward the Moston Brook Partnership which brings together representatives a number of different neighbourhoods (for example, Moston and Failsworth). In addition, the implementation of the Action Plan will result in improvements to the site that encourage greater use of the Corridor for informal and formal recreation, and as a safe green route to key sites such as train stations, shops and schools. Consequently the role of the area as ‘Common Ground’ will be enhanced and a wide variety of activities that bring people together will be able to take place within Moston Brook Corridor.

17. RECOMMENDATIONS

17.1 To approve the Moston Brook Corridor Feasibility Study and endorse the following recommendations contained within it which suggest:

• Conducting intrusive site investigation in order to examine the potential pollutant linkages identified, and determine what measures need to be taken to reduce the risks as far as possible

• The removal of Japanese Knotweed and other invasive species

• Elimination of the pollution within Moston Brook, through the introduction of reed-bed systems and re-meandering of the brook

• Additional surveying of bats, birds, water voles and woodland ground flora

• The need to formalise and develop the structure of the Moston Brook Partnership to ensure the successful future of the site 10

17.2 To approve the Aspirational Masterplan for the Moston Brook Corridor and endorse the proposals contained within it.

17.3 To confirm the Council’s commitment to the implementation of the Action Plan contained within the Moston Brook Corridor Feasibility Study.

18. FORWARD PLAN REFERENCE

18.1 Key Decision: YES - R-18 -08

19.0 SUPPORTING PAPERS

19.1 The following is a list of the documents on which this report is based in accordance with the requirements of Section 100(1) of the Local Government Act 1972. It does not include documents, which would disclose exempt or confidential information as defined by that Act.

• Moston Brook Feasibility Study – Main Document • Moston Brook Feasibility Study – Action Plan • Moston Brook Feasibility Study - Appendices • Moston Brook Aspirational Masterplan

19.2 These documents and associated files are held by the Boroughwide Strategy Sub- st Division of the Regeneration Department, on the 1 Floor of the Oldham Business Centre, Cromwell Street, Oldham.

19.3 Any Person wishing to inspect copies of the above background papers should contact either Imogen Fuller, Principal Regeneration Officer on Tel: 0161 770 4165 or Simon Papprill, Regeneration Officer on Tel: 0161 770 5163.

AUTHOR OF THE REPORT TEL NO DATE ID NUMBER Imogen Fuller, 0161 770 4165 18/08/2008 Principal Regeneration Officer

Signed Dated

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Signed Dated

CABINET MEMBER Ref: Document8