Management of Public Green Spaces in the Village of Hathern

 Statement of Purpose

This document will give the Hathern Parish Council and residents of Hathern a clear picture of the work required to maintain and improve the green spaces in the village over the next few years.

•  Overall Vision and Aims

The character of Hathern as a Leicestershire village is, in many ways, defined by its rural setting and the natural environment of its green spaces. Through the proper stewardship of these green spaces Hathern Parish Council aims to enhance their amenity value to the community whilst nurturing the diversity of plant and wildlife species that co-habit these spaces and preserving the essentially rural nature of the landscape for future generations to enjoy.

•  Hathern Parish Council's Green Spaces

Green spaces are a vital part of the village environment. The green spaces under the responsibility of the Parish Council provide a range of amenities with a significant impact on village life. The quality of these amenities affects everyone in the community. The purpose of this document is to identify the relevant areas and their uses; set out a development plan for improvement where necessary and to put in place a comprehensive maintenance plan. The maintenance plan must take account of the need to keep the areas fit for purpose; to maintain an attractive appearance and to achieve best value. Furthermore much of this green space is an integral part of the open countryside around it and so it is important that the management plan ensures that the rural landscape is conserved and that the diversity of wildlife habitats is maintained.

Each of the main areas will be described in turn, summarising its use, current state and desired improvements. Maintenance will be dealt with in a separate section, as many treatments (such as hedge cutting) are common to several sites.

•  Main Sites

•  Hathern Park ( Pasture Lane )

The recreation ground is almost certainly the most important green space in Hathern for people of all ages. It provides an area for leisure and exercise, and contributes to people's health and well-being. Safety has to be a high priority in the management of the site. Other criteria are:

•  Keeping the area tidy and attractive

•  Promoting beneficial uses.

•  Discouraging undesirable activities

•  Being sensitive to the flood plain landscape

•  Encouraging wildlife

•  Controlling maintenance costs

Main beneficial uses are:

• Young children's play area
• Cricket pitch
• Youth and Sunday league football pitches
• Youth meeting area
• Family picnic site
• General recreation area
• Wildlife copse

Undesirable activities, to be discouraged, include:

• Dog exercising & fouling
• Substance abuse
• Littering
• Vandalism

The area is already covered by a comprehensive grounds maintenance plan, primarily focused on mowing, weed control and hedge cutting. Trees and ditches that form the boundary are subject to “reactive” and not planned maintenance. A phased programme of improvement to the recreation ground and its boundary is already underway.

•  Remedial and Improvement Work

• Complete in-fill planting of hedgerow along Pasture Lane with native hedgerow shrubs of reasonable size in a double staggered row.
• Introduce planned hedge cutting on a three yearly cycle to allow improvement in flower and fruit production
• Monitor and control elder and other invasive hedgerow species
• Inspect trees annually with tree specialist
• Add specimen native trees at various locations, possibly at the south east corner.
• Leave an uncut strip at the eastern end of the Park. Assess the flora during the first year and consider adding additional wildflower plug plants if they are likely to survive in this environment. After the area is established, consider a cutting regime which will leave tall vegetation at the back and lower vegetation near the front.
• Install a kestrel bird box on the tree at the eastern end
• The wildlife area suffers from vandalism – some trees have had their bark stripped. As it is impossible to prevent this location being used by young people, limited investment should made. Tidy the area will be tidied and install nest boxes/bat boxes at positions where they cannot be vandalised.
• Install picnic tables/seats at village end of ground (part of jubilee garden or section 106 funding). Add a few specimen trees.
• Provide planting scheme close to gable end of Pavilion, possibly incorporating a trellis to reduce impact of this building.
• Install a robust trellis with climbing plants around the electricity substation (dependent on negotiation with WPD)
• Install a garden next to the electricity substation including a diamond jubilee tree (dependent on negotiation with WPD)

•  Sports Ground ( Pasture Lane )

The sports ground is mainly used for organised team games. It houses the Hathern Band building and the Hathern Football Club pavilion and associated football pitch. It does not have open public access, although it has Pasture Lane on one side, and a public footpath along another. It is enclosed by hedgerows on all four sides with ditches to three of them.

The ground is covered by an existing Council maintenance schedule (mowing and weed control) and the pitch is well tended by Hathern Football Club. The boundary hedgerows, trees and ditches are subject only to reactive maintenance.

Changes have been proposed to car parking – any alteration needs to take environmental implications into account.

3.2.1 Remedial and Improvement Work

• The hedge boundary between the school and the sports ground (southern end) has been left to grow tall. Opinion has been sought from Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife who have advised that the hedge has value for wildlife and could be left as it is, but monitored in future years.
• The hedge boundary between the school and the sports ground (northern end, adjacent pavilion) monitored and cut when necessary
• Other hedges to be cut on a three yearly cycle to allow improvement in flower and fruit production
• Plant up gaps in the hedge with native shrubs
• Install nest boxes where they cannot be vandalised

•  Cemetery (The Stints)

The cemetery ground is a most sensitive area incorporating burial grounds and memorial garden for cremations. It also includes the Hathern War Memorial and two bench seats, and is crossed by gravelled access ways. The cemetery is has two distinct parts. The area closest to the village and backing onto housing incorporates the older graves and headstones, the War memorial and incorporates many mature trees several of which are subject to Tree Preservation Orders. The area to the left of this is open ground, includes most of the more recent burials and has no trees. The site is enclosed by mature hedgerows on all sides, including its frontage to the well used Stints footpath.

The area is used for part of the Remembrance Service every November and villagers do visit regularly to tend the graves of friends and family. It should be a quiet and attractive area for reflection and memories.

The cemetery is subject to the Council's maintenance schedule, including mowing, strimming, weed control and hedge trimming. Major improvements to the access ways and facilities are proposed as part of the Council's Priority Plan. Any plans should also consider the wider environment of the grounds

•  Remedial and Improvement Work

•  Identify hedgerows which are PC responsibility. Infill planting to fill gaps

•  Leave an uncut strip at the northern end of the Cemetery. Assess the flora during the first year and consider adding additional wildflower plug plants if they are likely to survive in this environment. After the area is established, consider a cutting regime which will leave tall vegetation at the back and lower vegetation near the front.

•  Hedges to be cut on a three yearly cycle to allow improvement in flower and fruit production

•  Install a kestrel box on the boundary tree facing the fields

•  The Leys (off A6 Loughborough Rd )

The Leys is a small, primarily grassed, area lying between the Baptist Chapel and the A6. It incorporates three mature trees and a footpath runs along one side. Once used as a children's play area (with equipment) it is no longer considered suitable for this purpose as it is not sufficiently overlooked by neighbouring property and has, in the past, attracted anti-social behaviour (including drug taking).

Any improvement planting must leave open spaces and not create “hidden” areas that may attract anti-social behaviour. Shrubs including buddleia have been added in the borders to encourage bees and butterflies.

•  Improvement Work.

•  Plant pyracanthas at the western boundary to provide berries for birds

•  Plant herbaceous wild plants for bees, butterflies and moths in the borders

•  Install nest boxes including a sparrow terrace.

•  Plant some small trees – flowering cherry or a mini-orchard

•  The Allotments (Shepshed Road)

Although the land is cultivated by allotment holders, the boundaries offer potential for improvement for wildlife. There is a pond on one of the plots which could be managed for wildlife in conjunction with the tenant.

•  Improvement Work.

•  Hedges to be cut on a three yearly cycle to allow improvement in flower and fruit production

•  Nest boxes and bat boxes to be installed

•  Inspect pond and produce improvement plan in conjunction with tenant and Allotments Association

•  Round Bank ( Wide Street )

The Round Bank green wedge is visually important for the village as it fronts the A6 and sits alongside one of the main routes ( Wide Street ) into the heart of Hathern. It is home to the Village Sign and new Jubilee Tree. The grassed bank also includes several other fine trees and (unfortunately) the obtrusive electricity sub-station. Its relatively small scale and proximity to the main road means that it is impractical as a recreational area. Its value is as an attractive landmark to passers through and residents alike. The Round Bank is owned by LCC but HPC manages the mowing contract. All trees are maintained by LCC and worked on annually. The area has been subject to much improvement by HPC recently with the planting of a large number of daffodil and crocus bulbs

3.6.1 Improvement Work

•  Plant additional crocus bulbs at the east end of the Round Bank verges

•  Install a robust trellis with climbing plants around the electricity substation (dependent on negotiation with WPD)

•  Refurbish the Silver Jubilee planted area

•  Install planters around the village sign

•  Laurie's Lane

Laurie's Lane has been surfaced and a number of shrubs have been planted in the borders.

3.7.1 Improvement Work

•  Monitor the shrubs and augment if necessary

•  Add shrubs in the south border when status has been established

•  Verges and Beds

All of LCC's grass verges are already covered by a mowing schedule but it is important that the quality of workmanship is kept up, otherwise these areas can quickly look unkempt and messy. Vehicles should be encouraged not to park on verges and preventive measures put in place if necessary and appropriate (as on Round Bank) – the verges. Areas should be seeded in spring when necessary. A large number of bulbs have been planted in some verges. Existing planted beds are:

•  Silver Jubilee Bed and Round Bank
•  Wide Street Verge (adjacent 55 Wide Street)
•  School Entrance
•  The Leys
•  Cemetery and Nell's View bed

3.8.1 Verges with Bulbs

Wide Street

Green area around original Jubilee Tree (tree with circular bench)

Round Bank and all other verges at west end (top) of Wide Street

Verge corner of Wide Street and Dovecote Street

 Narrow Lane

Verge near A6 junction north side with tree

Verge near A6 junction north side with seat.

Verge corner of Narrow Lane and A6 north side with sign

Verge bank near A6 junction south side

Verge corner of Narrow Lane and A6 south side with sign

Verge on A6 near junction with Narrow Lane with sign

Cross Street

Verge outside Cross House

Wide Lane

Verge on corner of Wide Lane and A6 south side with sign

Verge outside church wall, junction of Wide Lane and Church Street

Green Hill Rise

Green space rear of Library

Two verges on the East side of Green Hill Rise one next to garages, other adjacent 11 Green Hill Rise

3.8.2 Improvement Work

•  Augment existing bulbs eg east end of Wide Street verge

•  Outside Library (GreenHill) – An opportunity here to provide formalised flower beds in front of the library entrance. Ownership and approval for planting needs to be established. Bulbs could be planted in the grassed area under the trees.

•  Large verge (adjacent 55 Wide St) – Potentially an opportunity to incorporate a planting scheme – flowering cherry or crab apple trees would provide focal point and colour with low maintenance requirements. A Permission to Cultivate would be required from LCC. Bulbs can also be planted.

•  Verge (RHS Green Hill Rise) – Another opportunity to incorporate a planting scheme – flowering cherry or crab apple trees would provide focal point and colour with low maintenance requirements. A Permission to Cultivate would be required from LCC.

•  Other verges

Corner Anchor Lane

Verges along A6

Verges along Shepshed Road

West side Green Hill Rise

•  Area to RHS of Hathern School entrance (Pasture Lane) – additional shrubs to be planted.    

•  Pasture Lane

Around 12000 snowdrop bulbs have been planted along Pasture Lane out from the school, and back from the corner leaving a gap in the middle.

3.9.1 Improvement Work

 

•  Continue snowdrop planting each year to fill the central gap. Another 12000 bulbs would be needed.

•  Carry out litter picking along lane and in ditches

•  Maintenance Plan

•  Hedgerows

On the advice of the Wildlife Trust hedges will be cut on a three yearly cycle to allow improvement in flower and fruit production. Hedgerows will be inspected annually. Candidates for hedgerow trees will be identified and left to grow.

•  Grass

Mowing is subject to two separate contracts, both managed by HPC – one covering grassed areas in HPC's ownership and the other for areas in LCC's ownership (mainly grass verges). Although separate contracts, these are awarded to the same contractor to ensure best value and common standards. These contracts include the requirements of the current verge planting scheme eg cutting around flowering bulbs, leaving uncut areas in the Park and Cemetery.

 •  Beds

Beds are maintained as part of the grounds maintenance contract. These include:

•  Silver Jubilee Bed and Round Bank
•  Wide Street Verge (adjacent 55 Wide Street)
•  School Entrance
•  The Leys
•  Cemetery and Nell's View bed

•  Trees

The green spaces in the ownership of the Council incorporate many trees, including some mature and important specimens. These will be inspected annually during autumn to assess what maintenance is required.

There are 11 mature trees within the Cemetery that are subject to Tree Preservation orders and any maintenance work will require planning permission from CBC. It is important that these trees are visually inspected by a tree surgeon annually in Sept or Oct and that required work be determined on grounds of safety of neighbours and visitors to the Cemetery, the health of the tree itself, and to preservation of the amenity value of the specimen. Work should be carried out during the winter period.

•  Involvement of Other Groups

Hathern Wildlife Group

The establishment of a wildlife group provides the potential for several of the proposed initiatives for wildlife in the council's green spaces could be delivered with the group's assistance.

Hathern Allotment Association

The society could assist by promoting good management on the allotments and assist with initiatives.

Hathern Garden Club

The Garden Club has offered to maintain the plants in the village sign planters. Members of the club have assisted with bulb planting.

Hathern Open Gardens Committee

The committee has donated £500 toward snowdrop planting and have expressed the intention of continuing to invest in improving the village's green spaces.

Guides, Brownies, School Pupils

Young people have been involved with bulb planting. There may be potential for the involvement of young people in other projects.

Adopted by HPC 14 th May 2012

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