County Durham Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment Area Profile: Mid Durham Rural West CONTENTS Page (s) 1.0 Sub Area Map 3 2.0 Description of Sub Area 4 3.0 Local consultation findings 5 - 12 4.0 Quantity of provision 13 - 14 5.0 Access to facilities 15 - 19 6.0 Quality of facilities 19 - 21 7.0 Analysis and Recommendations 22 - 24 2 1.0 Sub Area Map 3 2.0 Description of Mid Durham Rural West Area Action Partnership Population 31,033 Location & Demographics The Mid Durham Rural West Area Action Partnership (AAP) area stretches from Healeyfield in the North West to Meadowfield in the South East. It includes the villages of Lanchester, Brandon, Castleside, Ushaw Moor, Esh Winning, New Brancepeth along with the minor settlements of Cornsay, Quebec, Satley, West Butsfield, Burnhope, Esh and many other tiny settlements. The area is mainly rural but shares a mix of agricultural and former mining heritage, many of the villages are steeped in interesting history. Stretching from the southern borders of Consett to the edge of the Durham City boundary, Mid-Durham Rural West AAP is mainly rural in character. The valleys of the Browney and Deerness flow eastwards from the moors of the west, joining the River Wear south of Durham City. In the valleys and lower areas, arable farms predominate whilst higher up sheep, cattle and dairy cows are to be seen interspersed with woods and natural land-use. Lanchester is the largest settlement with a population of 4,382 and has a market town feel. Following the creation of the coal mines towards the end of the19th century, the important villages of Langley Park, Brandon, Esh Winning, Ushaw Moor and Burnhope were established. Since the closure of the mines, many of the villages have suffered economic decline although some have also benefited from successful regeneration and renewal initiatives. The AAP area contains the following town and parish councils; Brancepeth, Brandon and Byshottles, Healeyfield, Lanchester, Greencroft, Burnhope, Esh, Hedleyhope, Cornsay, Satley. The area of Mid Durham Rural West contains the following parishes: Ushaw Moor, Allensford, West Butsfiels, Brandon, Cornsay Colliery, Cornsay, Meadowfield, Ornsby Hill, Castleside, Maiden Law, Waterhouses, Langley Moor, Rowley, Brancepeth, East Hedleyhope, Quebec, Broom, High Stoop, Healeyfield, East Butsfield, Esh, Satley, Lanchester, Burnhope, New Brancepeth, Greencroft Hall, Langley Park, Esh Winning, Knitsley, Newbiggin Further information on this area can be found at http://www.durham.gov.uk/PDFApproved/Profile_Mid_Durham_Rural.pdf and http://www.durham.gov.uk/PDFApproved/MidDurhamRuralWestAAPProfile.pdf 4 3.0 Local Consultation Findings The following is a summary the main local findings of relevance from local consultations which are described in full in the Needs Assessment Report (Appendix 1 to the Main Report). 3.1 Detailed comments from web survey Postcode Comment I would like to see facilities at local schools opened to the wider community in particular those at St.Bedes School. I would also like to see the Bowling Alley in Durham which has been closed down replaced and I would also like to see an Ice Rink in the City. I feel that a lot more recreational facilities need to be available and attractive to young people to combat anti- social behaviour emanating from boredom, lack of direction and support. My daughter rows at Chester-Le-Street Amateur Rowing Club for which we pay - this is a fabulous club which should receive more support from the County Council than it DH7 0HR does. It is an excellent facility but sadly only available because of Volunteer Coaches and Members. DH7 7LS Improved facilities for the elderly and more activities aimed at teenagers. DH7 8UP Childrens play area aimed at pre-school age. The nearest, safest and most reasonable areas are driving distance. I would like a proper fenced well lit children's park where dogs cannot roam into instead of the very poor excuse for a DH7 9QQ childrens park that we have now. Combined use centre which can be used as a drop in facility, community centre, meeting area - residents associations etc, cafe serving meals to elderly etc. Play area for children and separate area for teenagers which has some usable facilities. The play facilities at Ushaw Moor were removed when the Hunters Gate development took place - residents were promised small pocket parks within that development - needless to say they never materialised. The facilities near Deerness Sports Centre have been eroded to the point they are not worth visiting. If you want decent play facilities for primary school children you have to go by car to Quebec or Wharton Park. This is not acceptable to a large community such as Ushaw DH7 7PZ Moor. More cycle paths/lanes along main roads for safe travelling t o work/school! My son was involved in an accident last week as he cycled to school in Durham along the A691. if he and others have the motivation to cycle, the routes should be safer for DH7 9FJ them to do so! DH8 9QF I think they are all covered above. DH7 0SE An indoor skate / bike park. DH7 8BH Secure, high quality children's play areas. Extended services and higher quality facilities for teenagers. DH7 9DF Pavements which are also cycle paths adjacent to every local road. Not off road routes. These routes can then be lit used 5 at all times of day and night, on route to schools, shops and local facilities and more importantly not isolated ie they follow a recognised route with houses and people about. Exercise and leisure should be able to be built in to everyday routine e.g cycling to school, cycling to local shops to pick up the odd item, walking in safety to the pub etc. Rather than concentrating on it being a separate event. As there are 2 large equestrian centres, 6 commercial livery yards and 10 private horse yards all within two miles of my address, there is a need for better maintenance of existing bridleways and UCRs already available and for links to be created with other off road tracks in order to keep horses off busy roads. Many riders won' t leave their stable yards because DH7 0DY of the risk from traffic. DH7 8TD Ice rink. Facilities for young people from the age of 11 upwards, both indoor and outdoor, structured and unstructured. I would like DH7 9BW to see facilities available that would normally be unaffordable, facilities to raise aspirations, expectations and self esteem. More Football pitches as there is only one pitch to service the whole village. The village is very large and I know of 3 football teams having to travel some distance to get a pitch to play on. Langley Park has never been blessed with these DH7 9XJ types of facilities in the last 10-15 years. 3.2 Best Value Survey by Action Area Partnerships The results of the 2006/7 Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys for parks and open spaces in each of the districts have been disaggregated to AAP level as shown below. Significant AAP % Very/fairly satisfied Rest of County Difference Bishop Auckland and Shildon 54.4 59.1 No Chester le Street 63.8 57.8 Yes Consett 59.0 58.5 No Crook Willington and Tow Law 56.6 58.6 No Durham City 59.6 57.9 No Easington 51.9 60.9 Yes East Durham rural corridor 62.3 58.3 No Ferryhill and Chilton 54.0 58.9 No Mid Durham rural west 59.3 58.5 No 6 Significant AAP % Very/fairly satisfied Rest of County Difference Newton Aycliffe 72.6 59.6 Yes Spennymoor 74.3 58.1 Yes Stanley 42.4 59.6 Yes Teesdale 65.6 58.4 Yes Weardale 71.0 58.5 Yes 3.3 Summary of Relevant Findings from the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study This area covers parts of the former Durham and Derwentside local authority areas, and the findings of two studies are relevant. 3.3.1 Former part Derwentside area. • Residents generally rate it as 'about right'. However, both parks and sports facilities are most likely to be regarded as not having enough provision in Derwentside. There were also sizeable proportions of residents that consider there is insufficient provision of nature areas, civic spaces, foot/cycle paths and grassed areas on housing estates. Virtually no residents considered there to be too much provision. • The use of off-road scrambler bikes on open spaces is a major issue across the District. Site assessments have identified the problem occurs more commonly on amenity greenspaces and allotments whereas consultation highlights the problem is more common on natural and semi natural greenspaces and parks and gardens. Consultation with community groups and youth groups highlights demand for a specific site to be designated for off-road use by motorbikes to help transfer this illegal use away from open spaces. • There are problems with illegal fires on open spaces in the District. Consultation highlights fly tipping also as a significant problem. Consultation has also identified that there is an opportunity to raise awareness through outreach work with children and young people to combat broken glass and littering from this group at night. • Dog fouling is also seen as a significant problem. Users express the need for increased enforcement and education regarding the associated health risks and potential penalties. The street survey also shows that the vast majority of respondents consider open spaces to be 'very' or 'quite important'. • Where parks are staffed quality and popularity tends to be higher. 7 3.3.2 Former part of Durham City Council area General A theme running throughout the consultation was a desire to see defined areas protected and improvements to existing provision.