Collaborative Approaches to Rural Development: Appendices Written / Prepared by: Bridgend reach Date and Year: April 2015 1 Appendix 1 - Project Initiation Templates Heritage | Ogmore Washeries Site Project Title: 2.1.2 Ogmore Washeries Site Local Authority: BCBC Lead Organisation: Ogmore Voice – group – not yet formed Contact Person: Job Title: Tel No: Email Address: Project Description: Please can you give a general overview of your project proposal: The proposal is based on a Feasibility Study (FS) undertaken by Fiona Cloke Consultants in 2013 including an ecological assessment by Sturgess Ecology for the former Coalfield Washeries site in Ogmore Vale. The study was funded by reach working in partnership with the Ogmore Valley Community Council This project proposes that the site is sensitively developed for sustainable recreational use including the following elements– • improved footpaths • additional footpaths • improved cycle routes • additional cycle routes 2 • bike pump track with tiered seating • natural play areas • exercise stations • site interpretation • nature, wildlife and heritage trails • establishing wetland habitats • general site improvements – replacing fencing, improving drainage etc • site furniture • habitat and site management plans • establishing a steering group to deliver and manage the project • car parking space It also proposes developing a countryside and woodland management training area which would look at the potential for income generation through providing woodchip for biomass. A further specialist report would be required into the viability of this proposal. There are potential links with Bridgend College who in partnership with reach have already carried out a Feasibility Study for the Pencoed Campus which looks at making it an off-grid site. One of the proposals is using biomass being supplied by local growers which could be partly supplied by the washeries site if the project was considered feasible. The proposal is split into three phases, a comprehensive breakdown of items/works are in the FS. Phase 1 • Identify a group – either the Community Council and/or any group set up for the above programme, to take on the delivery of this project. Could be achieved through the ‘Ogmore’s Future’ Development Officer employed by the Community Council through the BIG Lottery Community Voice, Needs Must programme with the appropriate support. • The group to apply to the HLF for a ‘Start up Grant’ (max £10k) – outcome known within 8 weeks, which could fund the transfer of the heritage asset to community ownership including funding – 1. Training and mentoring of the group 2. Needs research and consultation 3. Research into the use and management of other similar sites 4. Options appraisal for the site 5. Advice on Business Plan Phase 2 The new organisation apply for further funding from CFP for a Project Co-ordinator to:- • Write a business plan • Apply for project funding • Apply to the Volunteering in Wales Fund for a Volunteer Co-ordinator to promote further community buy in to the project • Explore possibility for Blue Mountain trail - An Ogmore blue-graded mountain trail was explored in 2010 as part of the Three Valley Feasibility Study into Mountain Biking Trails – appendix 2, but to date has not been taken forward. If this proposal were included in this overall project, (additional cost £85,000 - £125,000 based on the 2010 costings) it would complement the bike pump track and enhance the attraction to the site. Land ownership issues need to be addressed as NRW own some of the land proposed for the proposed Ogmore Blue Trail. • Explore possibility of further extending the project to improve the links between the rural 3 communities, attract more visitors and promote healthy living and outdoor activity, by providing additional facilities on the community cycle route between Brynmenyn and Nantymoel – with designated stop off areas with seating, bbq and interpretation enabling the promotion of the natural and built heritage which is currently lacking (additional cost £20,000 approx) . Phase 3 Building works - Initial short term works which will significantly enhance the area for existing visitors while also helping to make local perceptions of the area more positive which are identified in the Feasibility Study including ecological assessments; further community consultation; establishing guidelines for hard and soft landscaping; developing management plans; establishing a small car park; close existing semi-derelict river bridge; replace fencing; initial signage and interpretation; site furniture, divert footpaths in readiness for future works; general site improvements; develop natural play opportunities; establish wildflower areas. • Approx. cost - £156,000 Works which could contribute significantly to extending the range of visitors to the site and to increasing the site’s range of functions – Develop various strategies – woodland, environmental; promotion of arts; initial planting and develop native species growing area; create informal viewing point at quarry entrance; develop further footpaths; develop bike pump track; enhance existing river bridge; further site clearance and maintenance; create wetland area. • Approx. cost - £208,500 Areas where proposals will further extend use and enhance the value of the site but are not considered essential to the development of the whole area – forest skills area; mountain bike path; further interpretation; tiered seating for bike pump track; covered area to extend outdoor classroom usage; create aerial ropeway route. • Approx. cost - £108,500 Additional risk assessments and site investigations for possible contamination will be needed approx. cost £12,000 Note: Any intrusive activities which disturb or enters any coal seams, coal mine workings or coal mine entries (shafts and adits) requires the prior written permission of the Coal Authority. Project Status: Please 'mark' (X) on one or more of the boxes below and give an overview of the projects status in the section below that: Concept Stage: X Feasibility Study X Options Appraisal Business Case Consultation - limited X Land Acquisition Planning Permission One of the proposals in the Feasibility Study has already been carried out by the Community Council - providing a small car park to the south of the rugby club car park. The surface of the car park is currently stone chipping and this may need upgrading. Background: The Feasibility Study was carried out in 2013 for the Ogmore Community Council in conjunction with Tidy Towns. 3 Public consultations into proposals were carried out along with stakeholder 4 consultation - Ogmore History Society, Ogwr Walking Society, Community Council, BCBC – Rights of Way, Countryside, Regeneration and Engineering. Community consultation on the future of the site was carried out in 2012 which formed the basis for the funding application to reach for the feasibility study and funding for a small project delivered by Tidy Towns - Outdoor Classroom and Picnic Area. This small project was seen as the catalyst for this larger project proposal. The Ogmore Washeries site which is situated in the former mining valley of Ogmore, is long and narrow and stretches from the village of Ogmore Vale to Lewistown covering 17.5 hectares with three Mine Entries located on the site all of which have been filled and secured or capped. The Washeries site was closed in 1986 after which limited reclamation was carried out. BCBC acquired the site in 1997 and established a community route for cyclists and pedestrians along the route of a disused railway line which follows the valley floor between Brynmenyn and Nant-y-Moel. This is a well-used route and proved the main access through the Washery site. The southern half of the site forms part of the Pant-yr-Awel Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and any development within or adjacent to the site should be compatible with the nature conservation of or scientific inter est of the area whilst promoting their education role. The area has been designated as Provision of Accessible Natural Greenspace under the BCBC Local Development Plan. Accessible Natural Greenspace is less formal in character than outdoor sports facilities and provides the opportunity for a mixture of activities to be enjoyed by all ages of the community. The majority of the site is owned by BCBC and under the jurisdiction of the Highways Dept. Vehicle access is restricted to the north end of the site close to the rugby pavilion, and further vehicle access into the site is prohibited. There is limited evidence of fly tipping indicating that the vehicle access control is working well. There is a popular community route for cyclists and pedestrians and one other Public Right of Way and the area has considerable heritage interest due to its industrial past. There are also many unofficial paths used by pedestrians, cyclists, motorbikes and horse riders. Improvements to the site have been discussed for many years as the site is widely viewed as a neglected area but much of the site is wooded and many parts have developed a diverse range of flora and fauna. To the south, the river Ogwr forms the eastern boundary of the site for the first 450 metres but then crosses to follow the site’s western edge for the central and southern sections. The FS determined that the plan view of the site could be seen as a figure with arms and legs which clearly link the local communities. The figure concept could be used to give the site a marketing identity with the heart of the site being the existing picnic and bbq area. The proposals for the site have been subdivided into a series of zones based on the figure concept. To further establish an identity for the site and form final plans, community consultation would be carried out ensuring involvement from local schools which could tie in with the National Curriculum for art, literature and science subjects. To maintain the heritage of the site and its chara cter, existing structures and items would be recycled and reused eg concrete/tarmac planning used in the construction of paths and cycle tracks, rail track anchors built into the floorscape/ edges.