A MASTERPLAN FOR THE OUTWOODS Masterplan Document July 2018 This document is the property of FPCR Environment and Design Ltd and is issued on the condition it is not reproduced, retained or disclosed to any unauthorised person, either wholly or in part without the written consent of FPCR Environment and Design Ltd. Ordnance Survey material - Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence Number: 100019980 (Centremapslive.com). Aerial imagery - Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. License Number: 100019980 (Centremapslive.com) Rev Issue Status Prepared / Date Approved / Date A Final SGL / 03 July 2018 SGL / 03 July 2018 - First Issue SGL / 10 May 2018 MGH / 10 May 2018 K:\8300\8344\LANDS\Plans\Outwoods Masterplanning Document.indd 2 The Outwoods Masterplan Document Contents Introduction 4 Methodology 6 Vision 7 Wider Study Area: 8 Honey Pot Sites 8 Connectivity Appraisal 10 Issues and Barriers to Connectivity 12 Opportunities and Linkages 14 Photographs 16 The Outwoods: 18 Site Appraisal 18 Opportunities 20 Photographs 22 Key Features & Themes 24 Conclusion 26 Appendix 27 The Outwoods Masterplan Document 3 Introduction Purpose of this Document The Outwoods and its wider Context This document sets the scene for a future masterplan for The Outwoods comprises 45 hectares of ancient The Outwoods by examining The Outwoods itself and woodland owned by Charnwood Borough Council exploring the role it plays within the wider landscape and is a key site in terms of its value as a Site of Special and settlement context. Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site is situated in the north- eastern part of Charnwood Forest Regional Park (CFRP), This document examines the strengths, weaknesses, two miles west of Loughborough. The Outwoods fall on opportunities and threats of both The Outwoods in the eastern edge of the National Forest. isolation and as part of a wider network of adjacent ‘Honey Pot’ sites that fall within a wider study area. The site directly adjoins a smaller woodland to the north called Jubilee Woods, which is managed by The analysis and supporting figures begin to tease out Leicestershire County Council. existing and future access networks and the partnerships that connect people with the site and wider study area. The Outwoods Management Committee is responsible This analysis forms the foundations for the vision. for strategic decisions regarding the management of the site and consists of 5 local residents and 8 district councillors. The Outwoods has had Green Flag status since 2007. The Outwoods falls in close proximity to a number of other key ‘Honey Pot’ sites, which include: Beacon Hill Country Park; Beacon Hill; Broombriggs Farm Country Park; Felicity’s Wood; Nanpantan Reservoir; and Jubilee Woods. 4 The Outwoods Masterplan Document WIDER STUDY AREA THE OUTWOODS The Outwoods Masterplan Document 5 The Outwoods boundary with Jubilee Woodland and Woodhouse Lane Methodology Background Work A desk based survey of existing information has been undertaken. This includes a review of key documents, maps and online resources as outlined in the appendix to this document. Information relevant to The Outwoods and wider study View towards The Outwoods from a permissive path adjacent to Charnwood Lodge area has been collated, reviewed, analysed and mapped. Walkover Survey A walkover site survey was undertaken by a qualified Landscape Architect and Ecologist. Notes and observations in relation to the desk based survey were recorded. During the survey a Garmin GPS eTrex 10 unit was used to record the routes available within The Outwoods and the wider context. View along footpath K58 towards Loughborough from the edge of The Outwoods A waypoint feature was used to mark the locations of key features and items of furniture within the site. This data was then transferred to a CAD model which forms the basis of the figures set out within this document. The layers of collated information begin to visualise key features and themes that make the area special and unique whilst also summarising the opportunities for the site and the wider study area. Footpaths within The Outwoods 6 The Outwoods Masterplan Document The Vision Presentation of findings The Outwoods will be reinforced This document sets out an analysis of the wider study to be not only a destination in its area first and explores how the individual sites function, their connections to each other, issues and barriers that own right, but as an integral part of are present and finally the opportunities that may be a wider family of destinations that worth exploring moving forward. This approach helps to set the scene for how The Outwoods functions as part of collectively have a far-reaching a bigger picture. draw and appeal. The Outwoods A second stage of analysis focuses on The Outwoods will play a pivotal role as gateway in more detail. An appraisal of the site picks up the findings of the background work and walkover survey. to the wider National Forest and This is followed by the identification of site specific opportunities. Charnwood Forest Regional Park The discussion within this document is supported by by delivering a welcoming interface detailed figures and photographs. to settlement to the east, north and south. The Outwoods Masterplan Document 7 Wider Study Area: Honey Pot Sites 1.1 Beacon Hill has a well-managed aesthetic with 1.7 Wenlo Riding for the Disabled (RDA) is a registered obvious investment in signage, surfacing and charity falling within the study area that offers fencing. The landscape forms a natural playground adults and children of all ages with physical and/or for children with streams, trees, rocks and dens. learning disabilities an opportunity to ride and look after horses to help their health, confidence and 1.2 Jubilee Wood is a small site and feels less managed self-esteem. It has been established for more than and more ‘wild’ (away from Woodhouse Lane) 25 years. Several horse riders were observed using compared to its neighbours. It is unlikely to be a Woodhouse Lane as part of the site survey. destination in its own right and is most likely used as an extension to The Outwoods site. 1.3 Felicity’s Wood features some difficult terrain with Summary informal pathways. It appears to receive fewer Area well used, on the doorstep of cities, towns, villages visitors compared to surrounding sites and has a and a well-respected University. tranquil and rural feel. Collectively the honey pot sites represent a diverse and 1.4 Nanpantan reservoir is gated at its entrance with unique landscape to explore on a local scale, including Woodhouse Lane and feels less welcoming heath grassland, unimproved grassland, freshwater, compared to the wider honey pot sites. There are ancient woodlands & veteran trees spread across a toilet facilities, most likely used by visitors with dramatic topography. fishing permits or day passes. The sites offer broader appeal when viewed collectively. 1.5 Sites along the edge of Loughborough, including Areas of sensitivity will be conflicted with visitor pressure sports grounds and play areas, have views to although the local scale of the sites does allow this the west and pedestrian and cycle linkages. The pressure to be spread across the sites more evenly than proximity of these sites to the established settlement is currently the case. edge offers great potential. 1.6 Charnwood Forest Golf Club is located within the study area but has little scope to include as part of a wider network of sites due to the specialised and focused nature of its use. 8 The Outwoods Masterplan Document Site Boundary LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY SHEPSHED Study Area Honey Pot Site LOUGHBOROUGH Honey Pot Site with limited potential for linkage or connections MOAT ROAD SPORTS PLAY GROUND NANPANTAN AREA RESERVOIR JUBILEE WOOD THE OUTWOODS FELICITY’S WENLO WOOD RIDING FOR THE DISABLED CHARNWOOD FOREST GOLF CLUB BEACON HILL BEACON HILL COUNTRY PARK WINDMILL HILL WOODHOUSE BROOMBRIGGS EAVES FARM TRAIL Figure 1 Wider Study Area: Honey Pot Sites The Outwoods Masterplan Document 9 Wider Study Area: Connectivity Appraisal 2.1 Beacon Hill Country Park offers locations for 2.6 A permissive path leading west from Woodhouse parking and is connected to Felicity’s Wood and Lane and along Wood Brook provides the only Summary Broombriggs Farm Trail and Windmill Hill. It offers a non-highway and traffic-free linkage between The broad range of permissive routes and open access Outwoods and honey pot sites to the west and The study area has a number of existing connections but land to explore. south-west. This linkage forms part of a published the linkages between honey pot sites are not always as route set out by Leicestershire County Council clear or desirable as they could be. 2.2 Felicity’s Wood, in part, provides a linkage between under the title ‘Walking to Nature – Charnwood Beacon Hill and permissive routes to the north, Forest’. Along Wood Brook this route features post ultimately leading to The Outwoods and Jubilee and wire fencing, which usefully defines the route Wood. and reassures users they are on the correct path. 2.3 Jubilee Wood has informal arrangements for limited However the permissive paths are not recreational pull-in parking off Woodhouse Lane. It is well routes for families and appear better suited to connected to The Outwoods site. serious walkers with suitable kit. This is due to poor accessibility, ground conditions and a lack of on the 2.4 Nanpantan Reservoir has informal arrangements ground signage. The Walking to Nature route guide for pull-in parking off Woodhouse Lane. It has advises of uneven ground, slippery conditions and poor connectivity to wider honey pot sites but lies uphill climbs. close to the settlement edge of Nanpantan and is connected by a pedestrian footway running 2.7 Visitors to the area can walk along Dean’s Lane, alongside Woodhouse Lane.