LAF 11/20 Suffolk Local Access Forum Title: Divestment of Countryside Sites Meeting Date: 14 July 2011 Author/Contact: David Falk Venue: Aspall Room, Kerrison Conference Centre, Stoke Road, Thorndon, nr Eye, Suffolk, IP23 7JG Message from Cllr Judy Terry Full details can be located at http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/30A1B1F7-E6DC- 476E-9D16-78720F40511B/0/ProposalsOverviewwebversion3.pdf I would like to update you on the future of country parks and recreation sites within Suffolk. As you are aware, having reviewed all the proposals received regarding our portfolio of country parks and recreation sites, I agreed a list of next steps with the Director of Economy, Skills and Environment, Lucy Robinson. In the few cases where no proposals had been received, I advised you that officers from the county council would be working closely with the local county councillor to encourage interest. I would now like to update you on progress on each of our sites. For ease of reference, the portfolio of sites has been divided into district/borough council areas. Please note that this briefing reflects the discussions which are taking place rather than final decisions. Babergh District Council area Belstead Meadows Unfortunately no proposals have been received for Belstead Meadows; however, the parish council has expressed an interest in organising a meeting between officers from the county council, the district council and Greenways. The county council currently pays Greenways to manage the site. Cattawade Picnic Site The River Stour Boating Community Interest Company is looking to take on the maintenance of the site and own the land through a leasehold arrangement. The company proposes to extend the parking area to meet peak demands during the boating season and retain a riverside picnic area with benches. The Community Interest Company (CIC) has concerns over the costs of public liability and the county council has arranged to meet with the CIC to discuss further. The county council is in discussion with Suffolk ACRE about the provision of good value public liability insurance which we hope will help the River Stour Boating Community Interest Company. Page 1 of 5 LAF 11/20 Lavenham Walk Unfortunately no proposals have yet been received for Lavenham Walk. The county council is in discussions with the parish council. The main concern raised by the parish council is that the walk extends into a neighbouring parish and includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which requires a lot of management and can be costly to maintain. Melford Walk and Rodbridge Picnic Site The county council is currently working with the Long Melford Residents Group who has submitted a proposal to take on the Melford Walk and Rodbridge Picnic Site. The LM Residents Group has requested continuing financial assistance from the county council to take on these two sites which will obviously require further discussion as this is not in line with our policy. The county council is in the process of organising a meeting with the LM Residents Group to discuss their proposal further. Valley Walk In partnership with Sudbury Common Lands, Sudbury Town Council wishes to take on the management of this site with the Common Lands carrying out the maintenance. The town council wishes the county council to continue to maintain and insure the bridges along Valley Walk and any other major structures (such as steps required for access). Sudbury Town Council proposes to raise the precept to cover the general annual maintenance costs (except for bridges). The county council is keen for the town council to work in association with Sustrans – who also submitted a proposal to take on this site and the county council has commenced discussions on this basis. The bridges issue will require further discussion and negotiation. Forest Heath District Council area Brandon Country Park The county council wants those who have expressed an interest in the country park to become involved in the creation of a cluster involving the three major assets in Brandon being treated as one (old school site, the country park and the library) and it is suggested that a Trust should be established to own the sites (including the country park). This Trust could include Keystone, the town council and other local groups and the delivery arm for the country park could be one of a number of bodies, such as Anglia Leisure Trust, the borough/district council or Keystone. A separate project team will be set up to deliver this overall project. A meeting has been arranged for the end of June to consider this idea. Ramparts Field Picnic Site Unfortunately, we have not received any proposals for this site. This site is leased to the county council by two separate owners; three acres are leased from Icklingham Parish Council and 13.6 acres are leased from a local individual. A meeting is being arranged with Cllr Colin Noble to discuss the future of this site. Page 2 of 5 LAF 11/20 Mid Suffolk District Council area Barham Picnic Site Barham Parish Council is looking to support Claydon Football Club in turning the site into football pitches. The parish council is looking to own the freehold title of the land and grant a long lease to Claydon Football Club. The parish council is looking to put in a formal application for planning permission. The county council has received an outline proposal for change of use of the site to a sports facility from the parish council and a site meeting was recently held to look at the workshop. The county council is working closely with the parish council to identify opportunities for grant funding and is encouraging the parish council to submit a planning application at the earliest opportunity. Bramford Picnic Site and Local Nature Reserve In partnership with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Mid Suffolk District Council, River Gipping Trust and potentially Foundation East Ltd, Bramford Parish Council is looking to conserve the existing two meadows whilst continuing to improve the habitat in terms of bio-diversity and eco-study opportunities. The parish council is looking to seek to develop a dedicated revenue stream for the site and guarantee to cover the cost of annual maintenance. The parish council is hopeful for grant funding for capital outlay on fencing and ditching to enhance the site and to improve opportunities for public use. The parish council wishes to negotiate with the county council about whether or not the county council takes on some remedial work where the parish council believes there is a need for such work and the county council is in the process of organising a meeting with the parish council to discuss this further. Fen Alder Carr In association with Creeting St Peter Parish Council, Mid Suffolk District Council proposes to take on the freehold title of Fen Alder Carr and continue to run the site as a Local Nature Reserve with public access. The district council is looking for the woodland to be managed for its nature conservation value – retaining the Alder Carr and positively managing the areas of willow and reed to encourage the range of typical species associated with these habitats. The district council is looking to ensure the woodland remains publicly accessible and aims to encourage the local community to use and support them and the local parish council in maintaining the site. The site will be managed by the countryside section of Mid Suffolk District Council at no additional cost. The MSDC countryside team is looking to undertake routine annual management of the site assisted by volunteers. Funding will be derived from the existing countryside management budget and MSDC are looking for financial support from local parish councils to assist with conservation management. MSDC has requested a small one-off financial contribution from Suffolk County Council to enable repairs to the boardwalk and rebranding of signage on site and the county council is in the process of organising a meeting with all interested organisations to discuss this proposal further. Page 3 of 5 LAF 11/20 Haughley Picnic Site Mid Suffolk District Council is looking to take on the freehold title of Haughley Picnic Site with the district council’s countryside team managing the site for informal recreation. The district council intends to establish a management steering group, consisting of representatives from Haughley Parish Council, Harleston Parish Meeting, 1st Wetherden and Haughley Scouts Group, Suffolk Nature Awareness Partnership and O’Bee Community Interest Company to discuss and resolve any issues which arise on the site. The district council is also proposing for these organisations to contribute towards the cost of management of the site through licence and hire fees. Haughley Parish Council has indicated that they will support the routine management of the site either directly or through in-kind contributions. Income from the mobile phone mast is seen as an important funding stream. In their proposal, Mid Suffolk District Council has indicated that they wish to negotiate with the county council regarding a one-off contribution to cover costs including replacement signage, replacement of damaged picnic furniture, the provision of bins and the installation of barriers and fencing. The county council is in the process of organising a meeting with the district council to discuss. Suffolk Coastal District Council area Bawdsey/Felixstowe Jetties and Bawdsey Quay Huts Bawdsey Manor Estate would like the lease relating to Bawdsey Quay Huts terminated so that the huts return to their ownership and this proposal has been approved by Suffolk Coasts and Heaths. The county council is currently in discussions with Felixstowe Ferry Boatyard Ltd over the future of the ferry service and the use of the smaller hut and the jetty.