2017 Local Green Spaces Report CRICH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Introduction: The audit of local green spaces has been undertaken in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) criteria, set out in paragraph 77 which state that ‘Local Green Space’ should only be designated where the site is: . in reasonably proximity to the community it serves; . demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife; and . where the green area concerned is local in character and is not an extensive tract of land. The initial selection of sites was based on the community consultation and in particular, the household survey and school workshops. The Neighbourhood Plan seeks to designate the following areas as Local Green Spaces: 1. Crich Stand 2. Crich Recreation Ground 3. Whatstandwell Allotments 4. Fritchley Drying Ground 5. Fritchley School sports field 6. Fritchley Green 7. The Jubilees 8. The Tors 9. Crich Allotments The nine sites proposed for Local Green Space designation are identified in figure 1 and assessed against the criteria in the following tables. Landowners of the respective sites were contacted in December 2016 to advise that their land had been put forward as Local Green Space in the Draft Neighbourhood Plan. 1 | Page Site No. 1 Site Name Crich Stand Current land use Memorial site Ownership Mercian Regiment Current planning application on site? No Extant planning permission on site? No Compliance with NPPF Criteria Reasonable The site is publicly accessible and within reasonable proximity. proximity to the community it serves? Demonstrably Scenic value – There are few memorials in more prominent and impressive special to the positions. The site offers spectacular panoramic views over the surrounding area. local community Crich Stand sits over 340 metres above sea level and thus the visual prominence with a particular is high. The tower and surrounding open space is a key visual asset to the local significance? area. The land contributes strongly to the setting of the Listed tower and war memorial. Historic significance – Crich Stand is a memorial to the memory of the men of the Sherwood Foresters who died during World War I. It now honours those who died in WWII and other conflicts. Crich Stand Tower itself is a Listed Building. The summit of Crich Hill is reputed to have been the site of a Beacon Fire which signalled the sighting of the Spanish Amada in the English Channel in 1588. Each year on the first Sunday in July a Pilgrimage and Service is held at the Memorial site, attended by veterans of the regiment and community members. Recreational value – the site is utilised by the local community and visitors as a place to walk and enjoy the expansive views. Wildlife value – The hill is a carboniferous limestone outcrop and includes an area of lowland calcareous grasslands, uncommon outside of the Peak District. Consequently, the war memorial grasslands and Crich Cliff is designated as a Wildlife Site. Local in character The space is well defined with clearly defined boundaries and is not an extensive and not extensive tract of land. The site is an integral component of the local character, with a tract of land? strong physical and visual connection with the local area. 2 | Page Site No. 2 Site Name Crich Recreation Ground Current land use Recreation Ground Ownership Crich Parish Council Current planning application on site? No Extant planning permission on site? No Compliance with NPPF Criteria Reasonable Located in the centre of Crich, the recreation ground is publicly accessible and proximity to the serves the needs of the parish in terms of a play area with play equipment. community it serves? Demonstrably Scenic value – the recreation ground provides a quality green space within the special to the heart of Crich village. The recreation ground is a prominent feature of the village local community landscape, a space which provides important views through and from and site. with a particular Recreational value – the recreation ground is a well utilised amenity and the only significance? children’s play area with play equipment within the parish. The recreation ground is the location for the annual Crich village fete and the official start for the popular Crich Monument 10k Race. The field is used by the local infant school for their annual sports day. In recognition of the value attached to this ground, a group of local residents have set up a project to fund improvement of the space and equipment for the benefit of the whole community. Local in character The recreation ground is local in character and size and well defined by housing on and not an all sides. It is not an extensive tract of land. extensive tract of land? 3 | Page Site No. 3 Site Name Whatstandwell Allotments Current land use Community Allotments Ownership Rented by Crich Parish Council Current planning application on site? No Extant planning permission on site? No Compliance with NPPF Criteria Reasonable The allotments are located centrally within the village of Whatstandwell. proximity to the community it serves? Demonstrably Recreational value – the allotment land has a special significance in providing land special to the for smallholder cultivation, for recreation and well-being. local community with a particular The allotments are a greatly valued amenity with all 28 plots in use. significance? Local in character The allotments are local in character and size. The extent of the space is well and not an defined with boundaries and does not represent an extensive tract of land. extensive tract of land? 4 | Page Site No. 4 Site Name Fritchley Drying Ground Current land use Viewing and interpretation area for the Listed Butterley Gangroad Railway Embankment. Ownership Crich Parish Council Current planning application on site? No Extant planning permission on site? No Compliance with NPPF Criteria Reasonable The Fritchley Drying Ground is publicly accessible and located near to the centre of proximity to the Fritchley village. community it serves? Demonstrably Scenic value- Fritchley Drying Ground is an excellent location point to view the route special to the of the historic Butterley Gangroad and the site of the world’s oldest railway tunnel. local community Historic significance- The Fritchley Drying Ground was in the past been utilised by with a particular the local community as a drying area. significance? Recreational value– The Fritchley Drying Grounds provide an important viewing area for the Listed Butterley Gangroad Railway Embankment. There is an interpretation board on the site, providing visitors with details of the Butterley Gangroad Walk and the history of the railway. Local in character The site is local in size and character, clearly demarcated by a boundary. It is not an and not an extensive tract of land. extensive tract of land? 5 | Page Site No. 5 Site Name Fritchley school playing field Current land use School playing field and recreational space for the local community Ownership Crich Parish Council Current planning application on site? No Extant planning permission on site? No Compliance with NPPF Criteria Reasonable The playing field is located adjacent to Fritchley Primary School, in the heart of proximity to the Fritchley village. The site is publicly accessible to the community outside of school community it hours. serves? Demonstrably Recreational value – the playing fields are used by the school for sport and recreation special to the on a daily basis and for school events. local community The Parish Council has granted public access to the site for sport and recreation, with a particular outside of school hours. significance? This asset is of particular value to the local community, given it is the only informal recreational space in the village. Local in character The site does not constitute an extensive tract of land, but is local in size and character and not an and clearly demarcated by a boundary. extensive tract of land? 6 | Page Site No. 6 Site Name Fritchley Green Current land use Village green Ownership Crich Parish Council Current planning application on site? No Extant planning permission on site? No Compliance with NPPF Criteria Reasonable Fritchley Green is publicly accessible and located at the heart of the village. proximity to the community it serves? Demonstrably Scenic value – Fritchley Green, framed by a number of small stone house and the special to the Congregational Chapel is the quintessential English village scene. local community with a particular Recreational value – The Green is an important amenity to the local community. The significance? area is utilised by younger members of the community to meet and play. It is the location for the village Christmas Tree around which the villagers hold their annual Carol Service. The Green has been used in the past as the location of the village spring fayre and more recently a street party for the Queens 90th birthday celebrations. Local in character The Green is local in character and size, bounded by roads on all sides. It is not an and not an extensive tract of land. extensive tract of land? 7 | Page Site No. 7 Site Name The Jubilees Current land use Picnic area and a key gateway to Crich Tors. Ownership Crich Parish Council Current planning application on site? No Extant planning permission on site? No Compliance with NPPF Criteria Reasonable Crich Jubilees are located within the village, publicly accessible and just a short walk proximity to the from Crich Market Place. community it serves? Demonstrably Scenic value – the site is of scenic value, offering good views across Crich and the special to the countryside beyond. local community with a particular Historic significance – the site encompasses two stone wall circles containing trees significance? which were erected, one in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and the other in 1897 to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee.