SALTRAM COUNTRYSIDE PARK MASTERPLAN REPORT May 2011

SALTRAM COUNTRYSIDE PARK Bringing the best of the countryside to the city This page is intentionally left blank Contents Background...... Page 3 Introduction to the Masterplan...... 4 The Vision and Aims of the Masterplan...... 5 The Beneﬁ ts of the Countryside Park Living and Working...... 6-7 Recreation and Access...... 8-9 Landscape Character...... 10-11 Historic Landscape...... 12-13 Biodiversity...... 14-15 The Masterplan...... 17 The Detailed Areas...... 19 The National Trust Estate...... 21-23 The Ride...... 24-25 Chelson Meadow...... 26-27 Hardwick Wood...... 28-29 Links to Plympton St Maurice...... 30-31 Marsh Mills...... 32-33 Links from Stag Lodge to Sherford...... 34-35 Pomphlett Plantation and Meadows...... 36 Next Steps...... 37

Report researched and prepared on behalf of The National Trust, Natural England and Plymouth City Council by Land Use Consultants, Bristol Key features of the Countryside Park

2 Background The proposal for a Countryside Park on the eastern edge of Plymouth was fi rst developed in 2005. Consultation with community groups and others established The Countryside Park covers 640 hectares on the eastern edge of Plymouth, lying that a Countryside Park could help to protect the natural and historic assets between the Plym Estuary and the urban areas of Plympton and Plymstock (and, on the eastern side of the City and, at the same time, provide recreational when it is built, the new town of Sherford). It includes the existing historic Saltram opportunities for local people and visitors from further afi eld. Estate, which contains a Grade I listed property and Registered Park and Garden, as well as the restored landfi ll site at Chelson Meadow, the Woodland Trust-owned The plans were further developed in the North Plymstock Area Action Plan Hardwick Wood, and privately owned land. (adopted in August 2007). The delivery of the Park is now regarded as a key requirement to support sustainable growth and a high quality of life in the area. The area already supports a diverse range of habitats including ancient woodland, It is identifi ed as one of the priority projects arising from Plymouth’s Green fl ower-rich grasslands, mud fl ats, and a network of hedgerows. A number of businesses, Infrastructure Delivery Plan which was launched in September 2010, and will including farms and quarries, operate in the area and it is hoped they will continue to form a key part of the green network across Plymouth. fl ourish in the Countryside Park. The restoration of the Chelson Meadow site offers The boundary of the Park (shown in red below) is identifi ed as a planning the opportunity to create new habitats and productive land uses. proposal within the Area Action Plan. However during the Park’s delivery, enabling actions will occur beyond this fi xed boundary where they will deliver benefi ts, such as key links into the Park.

The proposals for the area contained in the Plymstock Area Action Plan, The vision for the Countryside Park produced for Plymouth’s published in August 2007 Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan, published in 2010

3 The Masterplan

This document takes the proposals for the Countryside Park to the next stage. During 2010, a range of proposals have been explored and developed into a series of projects through a process of detailed ﬁ eld survey and consultation with landowners, local communities, service providers and users over a ten month period. Three periods of consultation took place, and where appropriate the Masterplan incorporates comments and suggestions made by individuals and organisations during this time.

It is expected that the individual projects that make up the Masterplan will be achieved over a range of timescales starting in 2011, with funding from several different sources. Detailed consents and technical assessments will be needed before many of the projects can start and these will therefore be subject to further reﬁ nement.

The Masterplan focuses on the projects that have a spatial dimension. Activities This document is split into four parts. that have a more generic effect (such as involving volunteers in the management of the area and increasing people’s awareness of the opportunities it provides) are • The fi rst section (pages 5 to 15) sets out the vision and aims for the Countryside referenced in an accompanying technical Delivery Plan. This provides more detailed Park, describing the fi ve key vbenefi ts that will be provided. information on the works that are necessary to implement the Masterplan and will enable funding to be sought to take forward each project. • The second section (page 17) consists of the Masterplan map itself which provides a simple way of visualising all the projects proposed in this document. In addition, a series of Topic Papers provide the evidence and rationale that underpin • The third section (pages 19 to 36) examines each of the main areas of the the projects. Countryside Park in turn, describing the projects that will be taken forward and providing more detailed design plans and pictures for selected areas. All these documents are available on the Plymouth City Council website: http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/saltrammasterplan • The fi nal short section (page 37) explains the next steps that will take place towards delivering the projects and achieving the vision for the Countryside Park. It also sets out how individuals and organisations will be encouraged to become involved with the delivery of the Park over the coming years.

4 The Vision There is increasing national recognition of the opportunities that exist to gain many different benefi ts from our precious areas of countryside, particularly those areas that are close to towns and cities. This means that the places where we play should also encourage wildlife, and the spaces where we grow our food should also provide space for nature and for people to enjoy it. There is also growing awareness that, in order to create the most sustainable use of land, the form and use of the landscape should match the natural functions and benefi ts that it provides. This will be of particular importance in the face of climate change. Examples of this in practice are the use of high quality agricultural land to produce food for local people and the provision of local recreational opportunities, both of which can help to mitigate climate change through a reduction in fossil fuel consumption. Other examples include the enhancement and creation of local wildlife corridors for the benefi t of biodiversity and the use of low-lying land beside estuaries to store fl ood water, both of which promote adaptation to climate change. View looking north from Pomphlett Plantation to Saltram House and Dartmoor These two principles are at the heart of this Masterplan. To help embed these principles of multi-functionality and sustainable use throughout the Masterplan, fi ve distinct public benefi ts have been identifi ed as central to the vision for the Countryside Park. These are shown in the diagram below. The following pages describe how each of these benefi ts will be taken forward in the Countryside Park. The Aim of the Countryside Park The Countryside Park aims to provide a regionally signifi cant recreational resource on the edge of Plymouth in ways that are sensitive to, and enhance, the area’s exceptional biodiversity, landscape, historic assets and productive farmland. This aim Living and Recreation and can be encapsulated in the ‘strapline’: Bringing the Best of the Countryside to the Working Access City. It is important to stress that this Countryside Park will not be like an urban park which is managed primarily as public open space. Instead, the majority of the land in THE FIVE the Park will continue to be privately owned and managed as ‘working countryside’ delivering a wide range of benefi ts described in the aim above. Public access will be Biodiversity BENEFITS Landscape provided along prescribed routes, with new routes established. Character (see following pages) The emphasis will be on maintaining and enhancing the quality of the rich and varied landscape and built environment. This will be done in ways that provide a consistently high experience of attractive and well managed countryside in which Historic the public, businesses and wildlife all co-exist happily together. Landscape

5 Living & Working Providing a productive landscape that responds to the needs of vibrant local communities and viable businesses

Issues & Opportunities

• The large majority of the Countryside Park is privately owned and managed (by • There are opportunities to showcase agricultural production and to supply the National Trust, two farming tenants and a number of farming landowners). farm products (e.g. beef, lamb, vegetables and fruit) from the Countryside Park In addition, there are several non-farming businesses and a dozen households to local consumers, including through the provision of new outlets for local living in the area. food in Sherford.

• There is scope to improve the physical and perceptual connections between • Local residents are concerned about the threat of inappropriate development the Countryside Park and the communities of Plympton, Plymstock, Elburton and unapproved changes of land use. and adjacent neighbourhoods of the City (see map on following page). • There is potential to improve the management of public access onto public • Proposals for signiﬁ cant levels of development on adjacent land (at Sherford land, ensuring that the public keep to rights of way and respect the Countryside and Plymstock Quarry) creates a need for greater certainty over the future of Code. land use in the Countryside Park. • There are opportunities to promote recreational activities within the area, such as through cycle hire and providing facilities for horse riding.

Indicative map of land use and tenure

Countryside owned and managed by public bodies or charities Privately owned farmland Highways and curtilage (publicly owned) Tenanted farmland Quarries (current or recent) Privately owned pony paddocks Plym Estuary Other privately owned land

Note: This is a schematic map for indicative purposes only. It has no legal status and should not be relied upon for proof of ownership or tenure.

6 Living & Working Providing a productive landscape that responds to the needs of vibrant local communities and viable businesses

What we will achieve

• Confi dence by farmers and residents in a more secure future for their land • Supply of meat and fresh produce from land in, or close to, the Countryside and its use in the Countryside Park. Park to local consumers through sale at National Trust facilities at Saltram House and other outlets. • Representation of local residents and land managers on new Stakeholder and Landowner/Tenants Forums advising on the management of the Countryside • Increased viability of the most environmental sensitive land uses by creating Park. opportunities to higher value markets for produce from these areas (e.g. fruit juice and cider from orchards, organic beef and lamb from fl ower-rich • Effective use of planning policies and other controls to prevent undesirable grassland). developments on greenfi eld land.

• Priority access to ﬁ nancial support for sustainable land management through agri-environment schemes and other sources.

The communities surrounding the Countryside Park

Community involvement in conservation work

Local volunteers harvesting applies

Potential for sales of meat raised in the Countryside Park

7 Recreation & Access Providing new opportunities for public recreation and enjoyment, including through the development of a network of high quality recreational routes

Issues & Opportunities • There is a need to improve the cohesiveness of the area in order to help visitors • There is scope to encourage visitors to fully explore the Countryside Park by understand its identity and orientation, and to raise awareness of the recreational removing and/or improving actual or perceived physical barriers (e.g. Marsh opportunities in areas away from Saltram House, which is currently the most Mills and the A38) and increasing signage so they can move freely around the popular destination. Park and reconnect with less visited areas. • Visitors need to feel welcome when they enter the Countryside Park and gain • It is currently difﬁ cult for people from the nearby communities to move from a sense that they are arriving in a special piece of the countryside. north to south (or vice versa) across the Park safely on foot or by bicycle. The new planned communities at Plymstock and Sherford will create a need for new • There is a need to encourage visitors to use other forms of transport than the or improved east to west connections. car, and also provide alternative car parking away from Saltram House to relieve the pressure on the core of the Estate. • There is a need to disperse people throughout the site, with potential to achieve this through the creation of several hubs that enable a more even distribution of the Park’s users.

Marsh Mills is a key, underused entry point Issues and opportunities for recreation and access

Potential for new access into Hardwick Wood Plympton St Maurice is disconnected from the wider site

No pedestrian access over A38 at Meraﬁ eld Road

The west forms part of Currently no access Sustrans National Route 27 onto Chelson Meadow Potential for east-west link to Sherford new town

8 Recreation & Access Providing new opportunities for public recreation and enjoyment, including through the development of a network of high quality recreational routes

What we will achieve • Improved knowledge by local communities about where the Park is and what it • Increased cross-park commuting and recreation by foot and by bicycle, including has to offer them. on a major new east-to-west route, here called the ‘Wixenford Way’. • Improved conﬁ dence and ability of visitors to explore different areas of the • Overall, 11 miles of new paths will be created as a result of the Countryside Park. Park and 11.5 miles of existing paths will be enhanced and repaired • Reduced congestion and pressure around Saltram House and the core of the • The signposting of entry points (‘gateways’) and the development of special National Trust Estate. places and destinations will help to draw visitors away from Saltram House and disperse them throughout the area.

Parking Cross-community connection Proposed access routes Entry point Existing routes (cycle & pedestrian) Existing routes (pedestrian only) New Routes (cycle & pedestrian) New Routes (pedestrian only) Marsh Mills Future Sherford to Plymouth link

SHERFORD POMPHLETT Hardwick Wood

Stag Lodge The Ride

SHERFORD POMPHLETT

9 Landscape Character Maintaining a haven of natural beauty and peacefulness close to the heart of the City

Issues & Opportunities • A key objective of the Countryside Park is to conserve, enhance and restore the • There is a need to ensure that the integration and assimilation of barriers such as distinct identity of the Saltram landscape. the A38 contributes to wider landscape connectivity. • The ending of tipping on Chelson Meadow creates great opportunities to enhance, • There are opportunities to re-establish traditional forms of land management, restore and re-integrate this area with the wider landscape and to enhance the using locally held skills where possible, to enliven the landscape. setting both of the Saltram Estate and the wider Countryside Park. • New interventions and developments in and near the Countryside Park should • There is scope to conserve and enhance the attractive pattern of ﬁ elds, hedgerows complement and enhance the diverse landscape character of the area. and woodlands in the wider farmed landscape.

Potential to enhance Marsh Mills Issues and opportunities for landscape character

Potential to restore ‘The Gore’ Visual / noise impact of A38

Opportunities to Restoration opportunity enhance the Ride of Chelson Meadow Effects on character of ‘pony paddocks’

10 Landscape Character Maintaining a haven of natural beauty and peacefulness close to the heart of the City

What we will achieve • Restoration of key features within the designed landscape including Happy Valley, • Re-establishment of traditional land use management practices including use of the Amphitheatre and Blackson Piece. beehives, coppicing, charcoal making and Devon hedge conservation. • Restoration and management of key views and enhancement of the ‘legibility’ of • Creation of an expanded parkland landscape at Chelson Meadow providing the landscape across both the designed landscape and farmland. alternative additional semi-natural greenspace and an enhanced setting to Saltram • Enhancement of approaches and the creation of a sense of arrival from the Estate, to enable it to sit better in its landscape context. surrounding urban environment, for instance at The Ride, Chelson Meadow and • New woodland creation and hedgerow restoration to the A38 corridor, and within Marsh Mills. the eastern farmlands. • Enhanced grassland management, meadow creation and restoration in many areas of the area, balanced with the needs of a viable productive farmland landscape.

Enhancement of Landscape enhancement Marsh Mills at Blackson Piece Enhancement of Amados Hill East Restoration of the Amphitheathre

Landscape enhancement of eastern farmland Enhancement of the Ride Restoration of Restoration of Happy Valley Chelson Meadow

Proposed improvements to landscape character

Restoration of Pomphlett Plantations

11 Historic Landscape Increasing understanding of the historic designed landscape and ensuring that the Park develops in a sensitive manner which enhances this landscape

Issues & Opportunities • The Saltram Estate is a Registered Park and Garden of national importance. The • The pattern of the wider farmed landscape of ﬁ elds, hedgerows and woodlands historic core of Plympton St Maurice, including an area in the Countryside Park, is deserves recognition for its historic interest. designated as a Conservation Area. • Many local residents have a wealth of ﬁ rst-hand knowledge of the area’s • These designations can be used to draw attention to the distinct identities of the history. There are opportunities to record and interpret their unique stories designed and historic landscape to help entice people to explore the area’s hidden and experience of current and past uses of the land and historic buildings. gems. • There are opportunities to re-establish traditional forms of land management, • There are opportunities to reconnect and reinterpret the link between the National using locally held skills where possible, to enliven the landscape. Trust’s Saltram Estate and key parts of the wider historic designed landscape such as • New interventions and developments in and near the Countryside Park should Hardwick Wood and Pomphlett Plantation. complement and enhance the diverse landscape character of the area. • High visitor numbers pose risks to the ongoing conservation of the historic fabric.

Meraﬁ eld Key features of the historic landscape Lodge

Hardwick Wood part of historic estate The Amphitheatre The Castle Saltram House

Landscape of Racecourse at NT Estate historic interest Chelson Meadow

Saltram House Registered Happy Valley Stag Lodge Park & Garden Plympton St Maurice Conservation Area Key Historic View Pomplett Plantation

12 Historic Landscape Increasing understanding of the historic designed landscape and ensuring that the Park develops in a sensitive manner which enhances this landscape

What we will achieve • Restoration of key features within the designed landscape including Happy Valley, the • Restore the Bickham Farm area’s function as a working orchard whilst providing Amphitheatre, Blackson Piece. opportunities for educational use and volunteering. • Restoration and management of key historic views. • Re-establishment of traditional land use management practices including use of beehives, coppicing, charcoal making and Devon hedgebank conservation. • Re-establishment of Stag Lodge as a key historic point of arrival. • Enhanced infrastructure and greater dispersal of visitors to increase the • Restoration and enhancement of historic circulation patterns in Happy Valley, the carrying capacity of the historic landscape and thus sustain public use. Belt, Hardwick Wood and the wider landscape.

Restoration of Proposed outcomes for the historic landscape ‘Blackson Piece’

Restoration of the Amphitheatre

Bickham Farm Restoration of Project Happy Valley

New access following historic route of racecouse Restoration of historic Re-establishment Restoration/maintenance circulation patterns of Stag Lodge of Key Historic View

13 Biodiversity Conserving the area’s rich tapestry of natural habitats and the plants and animals they support

Issues & Opportunities • The Countryside Park includes a wide variety of nationally and regionally important • There is a risk that increased urban and industrial development adjacent to the habitats including parkland, ancient species-rich hedgerows, ancient woodlands, Countryside Park will see an increase in disturbance and use of the Countryside oak woodland, mudfl ats and salt marsh, orchards and fl ower-rich grassland. Park with negative effects on fl ora and fauna and the natural systems (water and • The presence of European protected species such as bats, including a nationally air quality) that support them. important brown long-eared maternity roost, otter, the wintering bird interest on • There is a need to preserve the tranquillity of wildlife sites that are sensitive to the Plym, and salmon and brown trout passing through to their spawning grounds disturbance by managing public access. There are also opportunities to fi nd new in the upper Plym, confi rms the importance of this area for wildlife. ways and places to engage and enliven the public to the biodiversity that lives • There are currently signifi cant barriers to the movement of wildlife within the on their doorstep. Countryside Park as well as out to surrounding areas. • There is a need to ensure that the viability of local farms is maintained and that the vital function they perform in managing the land for conservation purposes continues.

Nature conservation sites within Important habitats the Countryside Park: e.g. saltmarsh A38 is a signiﬁ cant • Blagdon’s Meadow County barrier to wildlife Wildlife Site (CWS) • Hardwick Wood CWS • Plym Estuary CWS • Pomphlett Plantation CWS • Saltram Estate CWS • Wixenford Quarry Marsh CWS Need to ensure farm viability and Opportunities to conservation go hand-in-hand Nature conservation sites near the enhance wildlife linkages Countryside Park: • Billacombe Railway CWS • Billacombe Road Site of Special Scientiﬁ c Interest (SSSI) • Faraday Road SSSI Issues and opportunities for biodiversity • Efford Marsh Local Nature Re- serve (LNR) • Fry’s Nursery Field CWS Threats from increasing • Leigham Woods CWS adjacent development • Plym Valley Woods CWS

14 Biodiversity Conserving the area’s rich tapestry of natural habitats and the plants and animals they support

What we will achieve • Landscape scale restoration and linking of wildlife habitats. • The installation of new ‘bat cams’ and ‘swallow cams’ and the enhancement • The conservation and restoration of 159 ha of species-rich grassland, 29 ha of of the bird hide near Blaxton Meadow to allow the public to observe wildlife which is grazed by horses and will come under enhanced management. without creating disturbance. • The conservation of 120 ha of parkland, woodland, scrub and orchards. • The development of a new interpretation facility in the Stable Block at Saltram House to help people understand and engage with wildlife. • The creation of over two km of hedgerows and the conservation and enhancement of 29 km of hedgerows, providing signiﬁ cant improvements to the connectivity of the Park for bats and other species.

Zoning of biodiversity conservation and enhancement work

Semi-natural grassland Wetland enhancement management Parkland enhancement Orchard restoration

Woodland creation Hedgerow restoration

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A 3 8 e

The Masterplan y

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Marsh m y Mills P l 13

Plymouth Crabtree Plympton St. Maurice 12 374 A

Blaxton Meadow Blackson Piece Plympton Castle

Dorsmouth The Castle Rock 11 y The Amphitheatre Saltram r

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Cottage

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m y L l a P ira Br Sherford iddge ge Plymstock Proposed New Proposed New SettlementSettlement Settlement

Existing trees and woodlands Wet meadow Place Specifi c Projects Note: This map is designed 1 Stag Lodge Improvements 6 Wixenford Way (options A & B) 11 Restoration of the Amphitheatre Proposed woodland creation Open water to be viewed at A1 size. The 2 Restoration of Happy Valley 7 Sherford Link (options A & B) 12 Rowing/canoe hire centre Proposed hedgerows Principal road network resolution of copies printed at 3 Enhancement of Bickham Farm 8 Parkland creation at Chelson Meadow 13 Redevelopment of Marsh Mills less than A3 size may be poor. Proposed orchards New & existing paths 4 Upgrading of The Belt 9 Redevelopment of The Ride 14 Discovering Hardwick Woods Proposed semi-natural grassland Proposed car parking creation and management location 5 Enhancing Pomphlett Plantation 10 Increasing Access to the Plym Estuary 15 Connecting Plympton St. Maurice Agricultural land Ornamental lawn 17 This page is intentionally left blank

18 The Detailed Areas

The following 16 pages describe each of the main areas of the Countryside Park At the end of each section, the timescales involved in delivering the projects are in turn. For each area, the individual projects that will be involved in implementing described, distinguishing between short term (2011 to 2015), medium term (2016- the overall vision for the Countryside Park are summarised, illustrated and, where 2020) and long term (2021 onwards) actions. appropriate, accompanied by more detailed design drawings and sketches.

Marsh Mills ‘Exploded’ map of the Countryside Park showing the Detailed Areas covered in the following pages

Hardwick Wood

The National Trust Estate

The Ride Links to Plympton St Maurice

Chelson Meadow

Links from Stag Pomphlett Lodge to Sherford Plantation

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20 The National Trust Estate

The historic landscape character of this part of the designed parkland at Saltram • An informal recreation space and a picnic area will be created at Blackson will be restored and enhanced to create an attractive destination for visitors to Piece with grassland and meadow management creating a balance between the Countryside Park. The area will provide a much-needed space for people nature conservation, amenity and recreation interests with standing and fallen to enjoy beyond Saltram House and a range of new activities will expand the deadwood retained both for nature conservation and informal play. visitor ‘offer.’ • A new rowing/canoe hire centre will be established to the north of Blaxton Meadow to encourage active use of the Plym Estuary. Projects covering the whole of the Estate

• A number of historic designed views will be conserved, restored, enhanced and interpreted Blackson Piece (Illustrative design detail - will be subject to a full technical assessment) and new views created through active management of trees and scrub creating a variety of moods around the Park enhancing the visitor experience. Blaxton • ‘Bat cams’ and ‘swallow cams’ will be placed around the Estate with footage sent back Meadow and displayed in the stable block at Saltram House along with interpretation material. • A number of historic land use management techniques will be re-instated and interpreted to provide training, education and volunteering opportunities. For instance, coppicing and charcoal making will take place at Sellar Acres and a gradual programme of Devon hedgebank repair and restoration will be established.

Picnic area NT grazing land Projects on the edge of the Plym Estuary

• The iconic and highly visible amphitheatre will be restored to provide a sense of arrival for those travelling by road and rail into Plymouth. The structure may be lit and opportunities to hold events there in summer months will be explored. • The margins of the Plym Estuary will be enhanced to provide opportunities for the public to access the water front, view and understand wildlife, and appreciate the landscape enjoying the views that stretch down the Estuary. The Quay at Point Cottage will be restored and access to the beach will be provided for those with mobility impairments. • The existing bird hide will be improved and additional information will be provided to interpret habitats and species present along the Plym, increasing awareness of the Open access at Blackson Piece - view east up valley View to Blaxton Meadow presence of otter, curlew, Atlantic salmon, sea-trout and other species of ﬁ sh that rely on the Plym. 21 Projects in the central and southern area of the Estate

• The important part that Happy Valley once played in the Saltram experience • Bickham Farm will remain as a secluded and tranquil nature conservation area will be re-established. The diverse mix of indigenous and exotic planting along where public access will be provided for educational events. Produce from the with the intricate network of paths, bridges, and walls will be restored. Trees and orchard and its bee hives will be sold in the shop at Saltram House and/or the vegetation will be managed to open up views of the stream that runs along the restaurant. The derelict stone barn on this site will be consolidated and conserved valley bottom and an historic pond and viewing terrace will be restored. as a ruin and a feature in views. A new educational shelter built in cob with a green • The ornamental drive along The Belt which runs along the valley will be upgraded roof will provide a key resource for use by volunteers and visitors. The shelter and will provide a major through route across the Countryside Park. This route will provide toilet facilities and will be powered by a micro hydro-electric power will run from The Ride up through to Hardwick Wood, or eventually across to system linked to the stream. A new pond with a dipping platform will provide Sherford, for pedestrians and cyclists. additional nature conservation and educational value and interest. The stream-side habitat will be improved by taking the stream out of the culvert it is in for part of its length. Happy Valley & Bickham Farm (Illustrative design detail - will be subject to a full technical assessment)

New slate flagged bridge Consolidation and restoration of perimeter Devon hedges

Re-coppiced Creation of new sycamores, to 1.2m wide path open up valley loop (MOT type 1) Restoration of pond and connected 19thC Restoration of original 19th viewing terrace Century stream course and ‘exotic’ Historic visual link maintained wetland vegetation. Creation of glades to vary spatial experience

New pond and boardwalk New orchard planting on historic footprint - complements existing Bickham Farm: orchard at Bickham Farm Ruined barn will be consolidated and interpreted, with new building (cob and turf roof) providing field study centre on site of former Bickham Farm 22 Projects in the central and southern area of the Estate (cont’d)

• The entrance way at Stag Lodge will be ‘de-cluttered’ to emphasise its role as a historic approach to the Estate, and to provide an attractive point of arrival for walkers and cyclists entering the Estate. • Part of the Wixenford Way will run through the Saltram Estate and connect Chelson Meadow with Stag Lodge. The route will be surfaced and will be enclosed by Devon hedgebanks. An additional connection between Chelson Meadow and Happy Valley will be created to enable visitors to enjoy a circular route from the Ride through the Belt and onto Point Quay. • The historic use of the stables at Saltram will continue to be interpreted by retaining the tack room, a number of open stables and the old carriages. The remaining stable space will be renovated to provide a variety of visitor uses including an exhibition room and a new visitor reception. Innovative audio-visual interpretation installations will enable visitors to understand the historic and present day uses of the estate as well as interpretation of wildlife found around the estate. There will also be space available for demonstrations of Pond and terrace at Happy Valley local food, drink and crafts.

Timescales

Ongoing: Some of these projects are already underway (for instance the creation of recreational space at Blackson Piece and sale of apple juice and honey from Bickham Farm).

Short and medium term: Work on many of the projects can start in the short term but further consents and technical assessments will be needed before they can be delivered (for instance the creation of the Wixenford Way, restoration of the Amphitheatre and restoration of Happy Valley).

Long term: Other projects are more aspirational in nature and will require major new funding and/or partners before they can start (for instance the creation of a rowing/canoe hire centre to the north of Blaxton Meadow and restoration of The Quay at Point Cottage). Ruined barn and apiary at Bickham Farm

23 The Ride

This strip of land between the edge of the Plym Estuary and Chelson Meadow • A new car park will be created to the north of the existing car park and landscaped will become an important new entrance to the Countryside Park, signalling to create a naturalistic setting. the improvements that are taking place to the landscape in a highly visible • North of the new car park a mobile catering facility will provide refreshments way. The Ride will become a new water-side destination providing an engaging for visitors. A paved area by the catering facility will afford views out to the Plym, welcome and starting point for exploring the new area of meadow grassland informal seating and low key natural play. on Chelson Meadow (as it becomes available to access), the south western • A new arch and gateway will give a strong sense of arrival into the Countryside areas of the Park or further aﬁ eld up the Plym Valley. Park and provide a distinctive set off point for those exploring the area. Through the gateway a new fenced walking and cycling route across Chelson Meadow will The proposals comprise: link people from The Ride across to The Belt. • People arriving by bus at the Laira Bridge and those walking and cycling from surrounding • A new sinuous track planted with specimen trees and shrubs will create the feeling areas of Plymouth will be directed to The Ride by clear and informative signage. The of an informal avenue and provide access for residents who live at the top end existing car park at the southern end of The Ride will be re-landscaped to create a of The Ride as well as for cyclists. A new pedestrian footpath will sweep its way more naturalistic setting. through the planting close to the water’s edge. The whole area will be regraded to create a softer landscape and gentler slopes leading up on to Chelson Meadow.

The Ride (Illustrative design detail - will be subject to a full technical assessment)

Granite marker - Existing Existing Realigned footpath - variety Proposed gateway feature New native and thicket entrance to National Additional parking for road course of of spatial experiences (new - mark arrival to Saltram planting to express avenue Trust property gypsy & traveller site alignment cycleway woodlands, open views etc) Countryside Park / screen out waste site

Waste Existing waste site site offices Existing gypsy & traveller site

Saltram Wood

Plym Estuary

Point Restored Low-level planting to screen Realigned New paved area - views to Additional Granite way markers / bollards along Existing Cottage quay and gypsy site whilst maintaining access road Plym, seating, space for mobile car parking route, illustrating apects of site car park heading view & cycleway catering, low key natural play history - the lead up to the entrance resurfaced 24 to the countryside park • The slate quay and heading at Point Cottage will be sympathetically restored and access improved Timescales leading down to the shore (also described on page 21 for the National Trust Estate). • Trees and scrub will be selectively removed to open up views to the Plym Estuary and benches Short to medium term: The development of The Ride as a high and picnic tables will be placed along The Ride to provide areas of rest and a reﬂ ection looking quality waterside recreation area is expected to be a short to medium out over the water. Parkland railings will be placed on the eastern side of The Ride with term project. Further technical assessments and detailed designs will be planting behind to shield the palisade fencing until such a time when it is safe to remove it. drawn up in order to secure funding for the re-landscaping of the area and the commissioning and purchasing of play equipment, seating and • Pieces of natural play equipment for all ages will be provided beyond the gateway towards other infrastructure. Point Cottage to provide interest and activity as visitors walk through the area.

New Gateway and paved area at the entrance to The Ride, with views over the Plym Estuary 25 Chelson Meadow

Timescales

Chelson Meadow has been a well-known and prominent landmark in The implementation of this vision will take place in four phases. Each phase Plymouth for many years. Over the coming years it will be transformed will be implemented after consultation with, and approval, from stakeholders: into an attractive feature within the Countryside Park that reconnects Ongoing: Capping of the former landﬁ ll and restoration to grassland. Certain to the designed landscape of Saltram House. The work will take place in waste activities will continue to the south west of Chelson meadow such as stages, as the land becomes available for conservation management and the municipal waste site. public access. Short term: Management of the site for biodiversity. This will be delivered through mowing and, where appropriate and agreed with key stakeholders, the The long term vision for the site is as follows: introduction of extensive livestock grazing. Planting of screening trees along western and south western edge. • A new area of Parkland will be created on Chelson Meadow to reconnect it with Medium term: Limited public access, starting in the northern section, on the wider Countryside Park and designed landscape. Specimen trees and clumps restricted access paths. will be planted, including near to the top of the hill to replicate the ridge top Long term: Creation of open access. Parkland planting, including groups of ‘backdrop’ woodlands found elsewhere in the designed landscape. The meadow broadleaved trees to assimilate with the line of Pomphlett Plantation when will be managed in manner which enhances the site’s wildlife value. This could seen from Saltram House. Other uses of the site that are in line with the include grazing by sheep. aspiration of the Countryside Park will be investigated at this stage. • A new network of footpaths will loop around the meadow following the alignment of the historic racecourse. These paths will provide access on to The Belt leading up to Happy Valley, on to Wixenford Land, into Pomphlett Plantation and also to the gateway on The Ride. • Although the topography of Chelson Meadow has substantially altered, new views will be established back to Saltram House and from the last corner on the racecourse / the winning post towards the Park to help recreate two of the lost historic views. • Native woodland and faster growing species will create a screen to the waste site to the south west and in the short term a belt of planting will screen Chelson Meadow from the restored Ride, until restoration of Chelson can be implemented.

View from ridgeline on Chelson Meadow

26 Chelson Meadow (Illustrative design detail - will be subject to a full technical assessment)

View creation to Crushed stone path loop on Saltram House alignment of historic racecourse, through restored parkland landscape

Gateway to the Ride (kissing gate to tie into new parkland Subsidiary mown Gateway to ‘the Belt’ rail along western boundary) paths across meadow

New broadleaved woodland planting Gateway to Wixenford Lane

View creation to Saltram House New screening woodland

Gateway to Pomphlett Plantation

27 Hardwick Wood

Hardwick Wood is a large area (22 ha) of ancient semi-natural woodland, • A new small car park will be created near the junction of Ridge Road and Meraﬁ eld indicating that it has had a continuously wooded history since at least 1600. Road, and a path will take visitors to a new entrance in the south of the woods. Most of the wood is owned by the Woodland Trust which allows open public • Dependent on agreement being reached with the landowner, new woodland will be access on foot. Over coming years, the integrity of the historic connection created in the steep ﬁ eld north of the wood. The semi-natural grassland will also between Hardwick Wood and the designed landscape, centred on Saltram be enhanced through extensive grazing, and a new footpath will create a formal House, will be restored. access route for people in the west of Plympton to access the woodland.

A series of measures will be put in place to help the public rediscover and experience • Within the woodland the network of rides and glades will be enhanced, drainage the tranquil character of this ‘hidden gem’. improved and steps created to increase the accessibility of the site. • Views will be created both within the woodland and to the surrounding • A new crossing point on Merafi eld Road will lead people from the enhanced gateway landscapes. on the National Trust Estate across to a small car park and new entrance in to the • The creation of an elevated viewing platform within the mature trees of Hardwick western end of Hardwick Wood (the latter dependent on agreement being reached Wood will be explored, to provide a ‘feature destination’ and vantage point for with the landowner). people visiting the woodland. • The existing lay-by pull in on Merafi eld Road will be closed and reseeded, with • Woodland walks and talks led by specialists will increase public knowledge and access being restricted to the Woodland Trust for management purposes. appreciation of all aspects of the wood from its history to its fl ora.

New access through Amados Hill Open glade within Hardwick Wood 28 Timescales Short term: Most of the work in Hardwick Wood is expected to take place in the short term, Medium term: The creation of an elevated viewing platform will require starting with the enhancement of the network of rides and the creation and enhancement additional funding which should allow the work to be undertaken in the of views to surrounding areas. medium term. The new crossing point on Meraﬁ eld Road, creation of car parking areas and new entrances at the western and southern ends of the wood will be subject to technical assessments and agreement with the affected landowners.

Hardwick Wood (Illustrative design detail - will be subject to a full technical assessment)

Controlled access from Amados Area managed as scrub green through Amados Hill, which is for wildlife beneﬁ t managed to enhance wildlife value New woodland planting Amados Hill East

Enhancement of Steps providing access See ‘Crossing Detail’ glades providing up steep section variety of enclosure New entrances into Hardwick Wood Sympathetic restoration of Kennel Hill green lane

Restoration of view south over See ‘Viewing Platform Detail’ Saltram House

Restoration of Mown paths through view south over Amados Hill Saltram House Pedestrian island Gate into National Trust Estate Formalised parking for 8 cars on road verge New entrance with sign New entrance & footpath Footpaths into Hardwick Wood Viewing Parking for platform Steps connecting paths 8 cars

New entrance & footpath Viewing Platform Detail into Hardwick Wood Crossing Detail 29 Links to Plympton St Maurice

Plympton St Maurice is an ancient settlement with a medieval street pattern • Access will be improved, enabling more use by horse riders in particular, along centred around its Castle, Guildhall and Church. The village and the network the historic green lanes between Ridge Road and Plympton Hill, and in the of narrow lanes and small fi elds on the steep slopes above the village (the woodland belt on the western side of Plympton Hill. This will involve localised latter in the Countryside Park) are designated as a Conservation Area. The improvements to the surface of the lanes and management of overhanging village will be reconnected with its surrounding farmed landscaped and the vegetation. wider Countryside Park, creating pleasant routes for people to walk and • A new walking and cycling route will run along the roadside verge along Plympton cycle to different areas of the Park, and also connecting the new residents Hill from Wolverwood Lane, under the A38 to Vinnery Lane to link in with the of Sherford to the existing community and areas of interest in Plympton St new Cross Park routes. Maurice. • Hedgerow restoration will be a priority throughout this area and will include a • A ‘gateway’ to the Countryside Park at the junction of Underwood Road and Drunken combination of laying, coppicing and gapping up, and the management of lines of Bridge Hill will welcome people to the Countryside Park. trees, earthbanks, and ditches where appropriate. • Other signposted entrances to the Countryside Park will be located at the bottom • The landowners of the horse-grazed pastures will be offered advice and support of Kennel Hill on Copse Road and on Wolverwood Lane (see map). on the management of their fi elds to benefi t wildlife and the landscape. • A new route for walkers that avoids the narrow Drunken Bridge Hill lane will run Timescales through Plympton Covert and along the edge of the pasture fi eld at Dorsmouth Rock (providing agreement is reached with landowners), eventually leading to Hardwick Short term to medium term: The large majority of the work in this area will Wood. take place in the short term, starting with the signposting of ‘gateway’ entrances. • Traffi c calming measures will be put in place along Ridge Road, and also along the Discussions will continue with landowners to secure the new access routes. New western end of Wolverwood Lane up to the start of the pavement at St Stephen sources of funding will be sought to enhance the management of hedgerows and Road to enhance their use by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. to provide a package of support to owners of horse-grazed pastures.

Gateway to Park using existing pedestrian access at bottom of Drunken Bridge Hill New pedestrian & cycle route along verge of Plympton Hill connecting Sherford and Plympton St Maurice 30 Plympton St Maurice (Illustrative design detail - will be subject to a full technical assessment)

Access along existing footpath beside Drunken Bridge Hill New pedestrian & cycle access Plympton New pedestrian only Castle access

Restored green lanes / New/formalised access pedestrian only access through Plympton Covert Sympathetic restoration of Kennel and alongside ﬁ eld Country lanes (subject Hill green lane to provide access to trafﬁ c calming) into Hardwick Wood Gateways

Pedestrian refuge

31 Marsh Mills

Marsh Mills lies at the north western corner of the Countryside Park. It has • At the junction of the Marshall Road walking and cycling link and the path developed as a complicated space where the River Plym, the mainline railway, along the edge of the Plym Estuary, benches will be placed with views out over the A38 and local roads all cross. the Estuary and Crabtree Meadow. Over the coming years, Marsh Mills will become an important gateway to the • Clear informative signage will direct people through the area and raise their Saltram Estate and wider Countryside Park. It will signal to those coming awareness that they are entering the Countryside Park and highlight the down the Plym Valley trail and in from the surrounding residential areas that different areas that they can explore. they are entering a special piece of the countryside and create an easily legible • In low-lying areas which are susceptible to surface water fl ooding, there are and pleasant route for those leaving the Countryside Park to the north. opportunities to regrade the area underneath the fl yover to create wetland habitats and help regulate fl ooding, whilst also benefi tting biodiversity and • The path around the back of the speedway track (picture and map point 1) will be enhancing the landscape character. widened, stabilised and surfaced to create a walking and cycling route between the A38 fl yover to Coypool Road. Scrub clearance and management along the path and Timescales stream will enhance the amenity of the route as well as the value to wildlife. Short term: The large majority of the work in this area will take place in the • A new path will be created under the A38 fl yover (picture and map point 2) giving short term, starting with thinning of trees and shrubs to create views over the a clear route between the enhanced speedway track path and the edge of the Plym estuary and signposting the routes through area. Establishment of rights of access Estuary, by levelling and scraping back the dirt. Fingerposts at either end and discreet to allow the improvements and widening of the path around the back of the ‘rustic’ way markers will be nested in to the ground at intervals to help guide people speedway track to take place will follow this initial work. to the footbridge and existing path along the edge of the Plym Estuary. • The opening hours to Coypool Park and Ride will be extended over the weekend and visitors to the Countryside Park will be encouraged to use the area. This is a key aspiration that partners will work together to implement. • Views over the Estuary to Crabtree Meadow and to Blaxton Meadow (picture and map point 3) will be opened up through selective thinning of trees/shrubs. Planting of low lying riparian species will soften the bank to the water’s edge as well as creating benefi ts for wildlife. Screen planting will cover the steel fence on the landward side and shield views of the fl yover, helping to focus views out towards the Estuary. • The existing footpath from Marshall Road leading under the A38 Flyover to the edge of the Plym Estuary (map point 1) will be widened, stabilised and surfaced to create an enhanced walking and cycling link to Marshall Road. Scrub clearance and management along the path will enhance the amenity of the route as well as the value to wildlife.

3 New river views & woodland screening 32 Marsh Mills (Illustrative design detail - will be subject to a full technical assessment)

Cross community connection

Existing route into NT Estate

‘Gateway’ to the park 1 2

1 Enhanced path behind speedway track 2 New route under ﬂ yover 33 Links to Stag Lodge & Sherford

The area between the National Trust Estate and the proposed • The Merafi eld Road bridge over the A38 is to be replaced and provision will be settlement of Sherford comprises privately owned farmland and the made for a pedestrian and cycle path on the bridge, providing a continuation of the Drake Memorial Park. When the development of Sherford takes place, off-road recreational between King George V playing fi eld and Hardwick Wood. this area will become an important piece of countryside for the new • A pedestrian island will cross between Stag Lodge and the new links to Plympton community. Stag Lodge will become a hub for those crossing the Park Hill and Plympton St Maurice and the new community at Sherford (subject to and also those exploring the wider Park area by foot and by bicycle. agreement with landowners and a safety audit to inform detailed works). A signifi cant new network of walking and cycling routes will link the National Trust Estate and the western side of the Countryside Park • A new walking and cycling link will also link the northern crossing point and run to the existing communities of Billacombe and Elburton in the South, along the eastern side of Haye Road up to the new Ridge Road car park in order to Plympton St Maurice in the North and in time the new community at access Ridge Road and Hardwick Woods. Sherford. • Hedgerow restoration will be a priority throughout this area and will include a combination of laying, coppicing and gapping up, and the management of lines of • The community of Elburton will be able to gain access to the Countryside trees, earthbanks, and ditches where appropriate. Park by a new walking and cycling route leading from the High Quality Public • The landowners of the horse-grazed pastures will be offered advice and support on Transport (HQPT) route up the eastern side of Haye Road. The route will the management of their fi elds to benefi t wildlife and the landscape. largely be separated from the road by the existing drystone wall, creating a pleasant and safe route for those wishing to enter the National Trust Estate at Stag Lodge or continue up to the north of the Park. Timescales • Residents of Billacombe will be able to enter the Countryside Park by foot or bicycle along Colesdown Hill, where at the junction of Wixenford Lane a new Short term: It is expected road improvements and off-road routes between Stag ‘gateway’ will be situated, with new barriers to stop vehicular traffi c that refl ect Lodge and Hardwick Wood will take place in conjunction with the replacement of the the rural nature of the area. Clear informative signage will welcome people to Merafi eld Road bridge. Subject to agreement with landowners and the availability of the Countryside Park and either direct them to continue along Colesdown external funding, the new route running south of the A38 should also be created over Hill (which will have measures to slow traffi c down) to Stag Lodge or direct this period. them west up Wixenford Lane to Pomphlett Plantation, Chelson Meadow and Medium to long term: The routes south of Stag Lodge beside Haye Road and east beyond. across farmland to Sherford are tied into the timescales of the quarrying at Moorcroft • As noted under the section on The National Trust Estate (page 23), the area in Quarry and the development of Sherford. Both will be subject to further discussion front of Stag Lodge will be ‘de-cluttered’ to provide an attractive point of arrival with landowners and technical assessments. for walkers and cyclists entering the Estate. • It is proposed that the width of the Merafi eld / Haye Road will be narrowed where it passes between Stag Lodge and the Drake Memorial Park to provide a pedestrian / cyclist route on one side of the road, and as a traffi c calming measure (subject to a safety audit).

34 Links to Stag Lodge & Sherford (Illustrative design detail - will be subject to a full technical assessment)

New bridge to provide cycle & pedestrian access over A38

Northern route provides link to Sherford & Plympton Road narrowing by Drake Memorial Park

Pedestrian crossing across Haye Road

Alternative east-west link to Sherford

Access to Plymstock & Chelson Meadow

Access along Haye Road provides links to the playing ﬁ elds and Sherford Sherford proposed HQPT New Town

35 Pomphlett Plantation and Meadows • A new footpath will link Colesdown Hill with the Wixenford Way and Chelson Meadow, giving the communities of Plympton and Billacombe an attractive route into the Countryside Park. Pomphlett Plantation will form the backdrop to Chelson Meadow and the designed landscape and will provide striking views north across the • The existing woodland will be managed so as to enhance signifi cant features such Countryside Park towards Dartmoor. Along with the Northern and Eastern as the historic dry stone walls, the carriage drive and other paths. A ‘Trim Trail’ Meadows and the new wetland at Wixenford Quarry, the Plantation will (exercise route) will be integrated into the woodland. provide hidden areas of signifi cant biodiversity value, as well as creating a • A new pond and wetland area (0.3 ha in size) will be established at Wixenford signifi cant new area of publicly accessible green scape. New access routes Quarry. Biodiversity will be encouraged with the installation of a new bat roost. through the area will provide the key link into the rest of the Countryside Following this a second phase of work will see the quarry slopes planted with Park for the new community at Plymstock Quarry, as well as the existing native vegetation. communities at Pomphlett, Billacombe and the rest of Plymstock. • Planting of trees and scrub will take place on the edge of Pomphlett Plantation and • The Plantation, and the meadows that lie to the north of it, are owned by Persimmon on the slopes of Wixenford Quarry (2.4 ha in total) to mitigate for the loss of a Homes. The future management of this land is tied up with this company’s proposed much smaller area of trees during the development of Plymstock Quarry. development of Plymstock Quarry. • The hedgerows in the Eastern Meadows will be reinforced with additional • A new high quality walking and cycling route will continue from The Ride through planting. to the National Trust’s land north of Wixenford Quarry Marsh. This will form a key • Plants will be translocated from the area affected by development to the Eastern cross Park route and part of the Wixenford Way providing connectivity between Meadows and the Pomphlett Grasslands, where a programme of grassland central Plymouth (across the Laira Bridge) with the Stag Lodge area of the Saltram management will then take place, covering a total of 7.3 ha. Estate and onto the new settlement at Sherford. Timescales Development of pond & new wetland area, New woodland planting plus installation of bat roost (Phase 1) Short to medium term: The majority of these projects will take place as a prerequisite to the residential Planting of Quarry development of Plymstock Quarry. Slopes (Phase 2) Semi-natural grassland management

Pomphlett Plantation: Installation of Trim Trail, Woodland Paths, LEAPs, and Reinforce planting Historic Wall Restoration along hedgeline

36 Public involvement in the preparation of this Plan Members of the public and representatives of local communities and interested Next Steps on Delivery of this Plan organisations have had a formative role in the preparation of this Masterplan. Public engagement has taken place in three stages. The completion of the Saltram Countryside Park Masterplan signals the • In July 2010, 59 individuals and organisations suggested their priorities for the beginning of the delivery of the Park. The timeframe for delivering every Countryside Park, providing their views in writing or at a workshop at Saltram aspect set out in the Masterplan is 10 years plus, but the project team is keen House. to see progress towards delivering the vision beginning in year 1. • During October and November 2010, 123 individuals and organisations responded to proposals for specifi c projects that were set out in a formal In the fi rst year the Stakeholder and Landowner/Tenant forums will be consultation document on the future of the Countryside Park. In addition, a established to ensure that there is a mechanism for interested people to workshop was held to consider the proposals. become involved in the delivery of the Park. Decisions on funding and • During February and March 2011, 75 individuals and organisations commented priorities will be discussed at these forums. Also in the fi rst year there will be on a draft of this Masterplan. The responses show high levels of support (in a focus on securing funding for delivery and this will include the submission of excess of 90%) for the objectives of the Masterplan. a Heritage Lottery Fund bid. All the suggestions and comments received have been taken into account in this fi nal version of the Masterplan, or (as appropriate) will be considered further Providing other proposed sources of funding are secured works on the ground during its implementation. will also beginning in the fi rst year. Before any major works happen within the Copies of the documents issued during the preparation of this Masterplan are Park people will be invited to view detailed delivery plans and help shape the available to download at www.plymouth.gov.uk/saltrammasterplan. way these projects come forward.

Ongoing liaison with landowners and managers The ﬁ rst year of delivery starts the process towards delivering the vision for a Countryside Park on the edge of Plymouth and will set the direction of Many of the projects set out in this Masterplan are conditional on agreement delivery of coming years. To ensure that people are able to keep up to date being reached with the landowners and managers, and we thank them for the time with progress, in addition to the establishment of the forums, information they have taken to become involved with the project to date. In some cases this on delivery, events and works happening will be detailed on the website is likely to involve funding from schemes such as the Government’s Environmental www.plymouth.gov,uk/saltrammasterplan. Stewardship scheme, administered by Natural England.

Further technical assessments Further technical work will take place to develop the detailed implementation of the larger projects such as the re-landscaping and after-use of Chelson Meadow, development of The Ride, and the restoration of The Amphitheatre and Happy Valley.