AGENDA ITEM 5

BOROUGH OF POOLE

CANFORD HEATH EAST AND WEST, CREEKMOOR AND OAKDALE AREA COMMITTEE

21 NOVEMBER 2007

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ON LONGMEADOW LANE, PARRS PLANTATION, SHERBORN OPEN SPACE AND LONGFLEET DRIVE

1 / Purpose of Report
1.1 / To inform the Committee of the proposal to carry out improvement works at various open spaces.
2 / Recommendation
2.1 / The Committee supports these proposals on the various open spaces and the site specific consultation for each site.
3 / Background Information
3.1 / The funding for these projects is intended to come from the Dorset Heathlands Interim Planning Framework. This collects money for each new additional home built in the Poole-Bournemouth and area conurbation. Money thus collected is then spent on projects that will contribute to alleviating human pressure on heathlands designated as Special Areas for Conservation and/or Special Protected Areas. Organisations then prepare projects to bid for this money, as these projects have to be assessed externally in relation to proposals from others, there is no guarantee that any or all these projects will be funded. The decision on projects to be funded is taken by a committee comprising of a Councillor from each local authority, and representatives from RSPB, Natural England and National House Builders Federation. The next meeting of this committee will meet on 18th January 2008 to decide which projects to fund next.
The following proposals will facilitate public use of open spaces throughout the year encouraging active lifestyles as per Corporate Objective of ‘promoting health and wellbeing’ and also fit with the Open Spaces Strategy aim of “Recognise the special contribution that open space makes to the culture and quality of life in Poole, and promote more use and enjoyment, ensuring that the community derives maximum benefits from the assets and resources that it owns”.
3.2 / Longmeadow Lane
Proposed work on this site entails; clearing of the dense cover of rhododendron and laurel in the woodlands, pond creation, path improvements and way marking, tree thinning and new planting, installation of new woodland theme play equipment (details of the types of equipment yet to be decided) and shelter, bins and possible acquisition of privately owned land.
3.3 / Parrs Plantation
On this site the proposal is to install new woodland theme play equipment (details of the types of equipmentyet to be decided), shelters and safety surfaces. This idea was first put forward a few years ago, but not carried out due to lack of finance.
3.4 / Sherborn Open Space
On this site there is an existing skate/wheeled play ramp, which is a replacement for an earlier larger structure, which proved very popular. The present equipment would be replaced by more varied and interesting sound proofed ramps and a soil based BMX area to one side. Plus benches, signs and bins.
At later date will be looking at providing a circular path for dog walkers around site, improvements to car parking and any possibilities for other types of on site facilities.
3.5 / Longfleet Drive
Over the last few winters a programme of opening up this site and removing the bulk of the dense stands of rhododendron has taken place. The proposal here is to continue with this vegetation management work, this time to include more thinning of pine trees in area off Sandhills Close, creation of new gravel paths, installation of more bins, interpretation panels, fingerpost, a bench and fencing to deter anti-social behaviour.
For this particular site money may be potentially identified from other sources that could fund someof this work, if the bid for money from the Dorset Heathlands Interim Planning Framework is unsuccessful.
3.6 / Consultation
Proposals for each site will be subject to detailed individual public consultation. Involving, public, ward councillors and where appropriate local police. In some cases due to time constraints some of this consultation will have taken place before this meeting.
4. / Conclusion
4.1 / These works are intended to improve the public’s enjoyment and use of these open spaces. This work will also help to reduce pressure of use on near by designated heathland nature reserves, thus complying with the Council’s legal obligation to these sites.

CLIVE SMITH

HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES

Contact Officers:

Jez Martin Conservation Officer 01202 261338

Background Papers: Nil

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