LGS 4 Orchard, Bowden Lane, between Kelsa trucks and footpath to Bowden Hall

Local Green Space Number Number 4 / Orchard/coppice between houses on Bowden Lane and Kelsa Trucks, Chapel-en-le-Frith. Map Ref SK061 813
Criteria and reasons for protection: / Comments
1.  Is the green space in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves? / YES: Within the built up area
2.  Is the green space demonstrably special to the local community and hold a particular local significance? / YES: see below
a)  Are there significant views from the local area into or across the site? / YES. From Bowden Lane and from the footpath FP74 into the site.
b)  Does the site afford the public with significant views out into the wider countryside?
c)  Does the site have special historic significance or features? / YES: It is within the conservation area and in the grounds of the historic (1880) Bowden Hey Wadding Mill. The adjacent footpath crosses the nearby historical Peak Forest Tramway
d)  Does the site have recreational value? / Footpath FP74 that runs alongside the site leads to open countryside towards Bowden Hall via a footbridge across Black brook and provides for recreational walking. The footpath continues south westerly to The Crescent and Town End.
e)  Is the site particularly tranquil? / YES.
f)  Does the site have ecological value? / YES. Large mature trees, some old fruit trees, flowers (Snowdrops seen on 7/2/2014), bats, over 35 species of birds, not all resident but has included nesting bullfinch. Blackbrook flows across the south eastern edge of the site.
g)  Does the site form a significant green break within the settlement? / YES. Between houses and Kelsa Truck Depot.
h)  Are there other reasons that make the site special to local people? / It contributes an important element of natural character to that part of Bowden Lane
i) Is there evidence demonstrating that the site is special to local people? / YES. See photographs and comments from local people below
In April 2014 20 local people signed a petition stating that this site is special to the local community and supporting its designation as a Local Green Space
3.  Is the green area:
a)  local in character?
b)  an extensive tract of land? / a.  YES
b.  NO. Estimated area 0.15 hectares
Is there public access to the site?
Would the site provide the public with amenity value without public access? / Can be observed from the public footpath along the sites eastern border and from Bowden Lane
Summary and recommendations: / The site should be designated as a Local Green Space for its tranquillity, ecology and as a green space with trees within a built up area. There is a footpath leading past the site from the town to open countryside. The site is close to the historical Peak Forest Tramway.

NOTE: The proposed Local Green Space lies adjacent to an area for which planning permission was granted on appeal on 4th Jan 2013 (ref HPK/2011/0504). The proposed Local Green Space is consistent with the area to be retained as natural green space in the plan submitted with that planning application.

Comments from local people

“Fruit trees attract butterflies and wildlife, beautiful in summer” M Beeson

“Mature fruit trees alongside public footpath, lovely walk” P Cook

“Area for wildlife” Jean Hadfield

“Area where I played as a child amongst lovely fruit trees” Mathew Cook