EXECUTIVE DECISION RECORDING SYSTEM REFERENCE NO: 08090136 DELEGATED REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGENERATION 16 SEPTEMBER 2008 MOSTON BROOK GREEN CORRIDOR - FEASIBILITY STUDY AND ASPIRATIONAL MASTERPLAN REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGENERATION AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE 1. PURPOSE OF REPORT 1.1 To provide information on the Moston Brook Green corridor initiative, in particular the completion of a Feasibility Study and the production of an Aspirational Master- plan for the area. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 The Moston Brook Green Corridor is a strategically important 60 hectares area of green space that stretches from the Rochdale Canal at Failsworth, to Dean Lane in East Manchester. Designated as protected open space, the Corridor contains areas of biological importance and is a space used for both recreation and antisocial behaviour. Despite its greenspace value, strategic location and proximity to major regeneration sites, Moston Brook is currently failing to achieve its full potential. 2.2 Following the establishment of the Moston Brook Partnership, funding from the two local authorities (Oldham and Manchester) was used to commission a Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan for the Corridor. Carried out by Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, the aim of the work was to provide an assessment of the site at present and of its potential to be a high quality green space asset in the future. 2.3 Following lengthy consultation with local residents, the two local authorities and other key stakeholders, the final version of the Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan have now been produced. These are expected to be formally signed off th by the Moston Brook Partnership Steering Group on 24 September 2008, and now formal approval of the documents is being sought from the two local authorities. 3. RECOMMENDATION(S) 3.1 To approve the Moston Brook Corridor Feasibility Study and endorse the following recommendations contained within it which suggest: • Conducting intrusive site investigation in order to examine the potential pollutant linkages identified, and determine what measures need to be taken 1 to reduce the risks as far as possible • The removal of Japanese Knotweed and other invasive species • Elimination of the pollution within Moston Brook, through the introduction of reed-bed systems and re-meandering of the brook • Prioritising routeways throughout the site to control public access, and the installation of a ‘green bridge’ across Broadway to provide the ‘missing link’ in the creation of a main routeway through the corridor • Additional surveying of bats, birds, water voles and woodland ground flora • Further consultation/ continued engagement of the residents and groups – particularly around key improvements in the master plan that would require detailed consultation prior to implementation; such as the natural waterplay area, mountain bike tracks, skateable features etc. • The need to formalise and develop the structure of the Moston Brook Partnership to ensure the successful future of the site 3.2 To approve the Aspirational Masterplan for the Moston Brook Corridor and endorse the proposals contained within it. 3.2 To confirm the Council’s commitment to the implementation of the Action Plan contained within the Moston Brook Corridor Feasibility Study. 2 MOSTON BROOK GREEN CORRIDOR – FEASIBILITY STUDY AND ASPIRATIONAL MASTERPLAN 4. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND 4.1 Moston Brook Green Corridor – Location, Form and Function The Moston Brook Green Corridor is a strategically important area of green space that stretches from the Rochdale Canal at Failsworth, to Dean Lane in East Manchester. Covering around 60 hectares (approximately 40 hectares of which fall within the borough of Oldham), the corridor straddles the boundary between Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council and Manchester City Council, and is situated within the wards of Failsworth West, Failsworth East and Chadderton South in Oldham, Moston and Newton Heath in Manchester. The Green Corridor is made up of four distinct sites – Wrigley Head, Hardman Fold, Broadway Common, and Moston Fairway. The area is designated as Other Protected Open Space (OPOL) within Oldham’s Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and River Valley within Manchester’s UDP, with additional protection in place for the biologically important Rochdale Canal (SSSI and SAC) and Moston Fairways site (SBI). Most of the Moston Brook Green Corridor is currently either used as a space for informal recreational, unused, or a venue for antisocial/environmental crime activities. 3 Surrounded by economic and housing regeneration initiatives, but with poor physical and operational connections, the Moston Brook Green Corridor site is currently failing to fulfil its potential, providing little, if any, support or added value to the wider regeneration activity at either the local or sub-regional level. Similarly, despite the major road and rail/ metrolink routes that dissect the site, the greenspace corridor has become invisible, not really registering on the mental map of local people, or those commuters that regularly travel through and alongside it. 4.2 Moston Brook Partnership Although the Moston Brook Corridor contains areas of natural beauty and historic interest, these qualities have been blighted by problems such as fly-tipping and off- road bike nuisance. In recognition of the problems affecting the Moston Brook Green Corridor, and with support from both Council Leaders, a series of meetings were held between Oldham and Manchester Councils during 2006, and a wider Moston Brook Partnership established in 2007. Within the Partnership, a Steering Group, Officers Group and Contaminated Land Sub-group have been set up to drive forward this huge task. The membership of these groups include councillors, officers and residents, from both Manchester and Oldham, and representatives from other relevant agencies such as Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, Groundwork Manchester, Salford and Trafford and the Environment Agency. 4.3 Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan Following the establishment of the Moston Brook Partnership, the two local authorities (Oldham and Manchester) pooled funding streams to provide £40,000 to conduct a thorough survey of the Moston Brook corridor and establish priorities for action and further funding bids. In June 2007, this funding was used to commission the production of a Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan for the Moston Brook Green Corridor. Carried out by Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, the aim of the work was to provide an assessment of the site at present and of its potential to be a high quality green space asset in the future. To ensure the study and masterplan were informed by site’s complex ecological and contaminated land issues a Phase 1 Ecological Survey (produced by Greater Manchester Ecological Unit), and a Preliminary Risk Assessment (carried out by Parsons Brinckerhoff), were commissioned by Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale. In addition, the study was also informed by the 2002 Pollution Prevention report produced by Atkins on behalf of the Environment Agency. 4 5. CURRENT POSITION 5.1 Following lengthy consultation with local residents, the two local authorities and other key stakeholders, the final version of the Moston Brook Corridor Feasibility Study and Aspirational Masterplan have now been produced. The Study and Masterplan are due to be formally signed off by the Moston Brook Partnership th Steering Group on Wednesday 24 September 2008. 5.2 Feasibility Study Recommendations The feasibility study identifies the opportunities and constraints within the Moston Brook Corridor, and makes recommendations on how the area could be brought forward in accordance with the overall strategic vision. These recommendations include: • Conducting intrusive site investigation in order to examine the potential pollutant linkages identified, and determine what measures need to be taken to reduce the risks as far as possible • Removal of Japanese Knotweed (and other invasive species) • Elimination of the pollution within Moston Brook, through introduction of reed- bed systems and re-meandering of the brook • Prioritising routeways throughout the site to control public access, and the installation of a ‘green bridge’ across Broadway to provide the ‘missing link’ in the creation of a main routeway through the corridor • Additional surveying of bats, birds, water voles and woodland ground flora • Further Consultation/ continued engagement of the residents and groups – Particularly around key improvements in the master plan that would require detailed consultation prior to implementation; such as the natural waterplay area, mountain bike tracks, skateable features etc. • The need to formalise and develop the structure of the Moston Brook Partnership to ensure the successful future of the site 5.3 Action Plan The Study is also supported by a 10 year action plan which sets out how the vision will be delivered, and identifies key actions to be undertaken by all of the Partnership members. For example: 5 Partnership Example of Key Action Areas Member Environment Monitor the water quality of the Moston Brook watercourse Agency Carry out a programme of water quality research and interventions. Investigate and take action to prevent pollution (from combined sewer overflows, landfill leachate, industrial sites etc.) Forestry Develop a long-term woodland management plan for the site Commission, and secure funding for woodland management Pennine Edge Forest