Thornton    Action    Group

We consider the five functions of open space put forward in the Issues Document to be important (see page 22) but feel that three have been particularly neglected by WBC planning,both in the past and present.

These are:-

              A  - "provides areas for childrens play"

              B  - "provides a visual break from the built-up nature of the urban area"

              C  - "provides important wildlife habitats"

A   -   Areas for childrens play

1.  We are unhappy with the provision of open space for childrens play in the Borough. From the map and on the ground, it is clear that housing is already densely packed and the impression in certain areas eg. Devonshire Avenue north to Trunnah Road, is of an area with little open space available for play. Devonshire Avenue is used as a play/football area in spite of increasing numbers of parked cars and through traffic.

2.  There are large open spaces on the periphery - eg. the beach, Country Park and King Georges Playing Fields - and these have been used to justify a smaller amount of land for childrens play space. We feel that this has been a convenient excuse for WBC to almost totally ignore childrens need for space for active play (at least in Thornton).

3.  Facilities near to housing for energetic adventurous play - which are free - are very limited. Suggestions for desirable play equipment include skateboarding facilities, climbing and swing facilities for older children, as well as conventional playing equipment for toddlers and young children and safe cycle tracks for young children where parents can watch them. Observing children in the commercial playcentre at the Tramway, Cleveleys, it is possible to see the enjoyment they get from energetic physical activity.

4.  Hawthorn Road play area illustrates the point (see Hawthorn gallery). This is a reasonably large area which could be a valuable resource - but appears dreary. ill-kept and under-used. There is a young childrens area in reasonable condition but the rest is largely ill-drained grass, or broken up concrete with a small isolated skateboard fixture. The whole site is boring and unattractive.

    We suggest that it could usefully include more adventure equipment with soft bark flooring. Trees (yes they do present vandalism problems!)would provide valuable "visual breaks" and "wildlife habitats". The area could also have a young childrens cycle track. Perhaps a CCTV camera could help to keep bad behaviour and vandalism to a minimum. Click the link Williamson Gallery to see photographs of the adventure playground in Williamson Park, Lancaster which is well used and well liked by parents and children of all ages.

    On a recent visit to Hawthorn Road for the photographs, two twelve year olds from Millfield School were tramping across the muddy grass. They were asked their opinions and suggestions which are incorporated above. Millfield School could be asked for their suggestions. Citizenship is now an important part of the National Curriculum and involving youngsters is a valuable way of encouraging this.

5.  We consider the proposal on page 24 - "it is anticipated that the shortfall in neighbourhood play space will be met via planning obligations on housing developments" - is a dangerous policy. Housing developments in the Hillylaid Road area have simply resulted in further pressure on existing open space and there is very little sign of any real commitment on the part of developers to provide quality play space. Ther is an allocated "kick about" space which is totally inadequate with a lack of facilities with the result that children are pushed onto Kenyon Park.

6.  Kenyon Park is a valuable open space which could have a childrens play area. The park lies between St. Johns Church which has a very popular playgroup, and Stanah School. We note that the trees planted in the park were NOT planted by WBC but by the Rotary Club.

7.  King Georges Playing Fields are very important and well used especially for organised sport - but at weekends this displaces informal football - and children retreat to the car parking areas near the windmill. This area has beautifully laid out car parks (see King Georges gallery) but no play equipment for children - not even for young children as the equipment at the public house has been replaced by outdoor tables.

    The police were hoping that the youth shelter on the playing fields would help reduce the youth crime and vandalism problems but lack of money has meant that it is not at all like the Burnley model.

8.  WBC proposes more and more housing in Thornton and thus more children putting more pressure on an area already inadaquately served. Children are lively, boisterous and do "test to destruction" AND they are vulnerable to adult attack, injury, disease (eg. from dog faeces) but they are our future business leaders, teachers, nurses, police etc.,we need them to be healthy and well balanced. The young have needs as well as the elderly and WBC has a duty to consider the needs of ALL its residents. We need a positive spirit to develop yougsters and help parents.

B   -   Visual Breaks

C   -   Wildlife Habitats

All the photographs in the Issues Document showing open spaces offer very flat and tedious vistas of mown grass. These could be so much more interesting to the eye - with trees and shrubs which would provide habitats for wildlife. Mown grass is useless as a wildlife habitat, although it does help to "mop up" surplus water which can help alleviate the flooding problems.

  Flooding increases as surfaces covered by bricks and tarmac increase the rapidity of surface water run - off. This is mitigated by trees and shrubs which use up quantities of water in the growing process. The housing developments at present under construction on Hillylaid Road have necessitated the removal of a large area of wildlife habitat. We would like some evidence of commitment by WBC to conserve what remains and to plant new areas with native species such as Ash,Silver Birch, Larch, Alder, Field Maple etc., to make up for what has been lost.

  One particular idea could be the landscaping of the former railway station platform at Thornton. By resurfacing, planting trees, shrubs and flower beds and providing benches people could sit and enjoy the gardens. Local schools could be involved by allocating beds, trees, benches which could be planted and maintained by the schools and act as an advertisement as well as involving children in their local community. This would also involve the co-operation of Railtrack, Police, MPs, local Councillors, local businesses and TAG.

Conclusion

On page 26 of the Issues Document we are interesed to read about "innovative design solutions to ensure  people friendly  development". None of the housing developments currently being built in our opinion show this innovative design when it comes to open space provision.

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