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Full Report
REPORT TO: CABINET
DATE: 9th May 2005
REPORT OF: Councillor P Britcliffe - Leader of the Council
REPORT BY: Peter Baron - Head of Leisure
COPPICE IMPROVEMENT AREA
1. PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 To inform Members of the proposals for the Coppice Improvement Area and to seek their approval for the project.
Approval of the report is not deemed a key decision. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 That the proposals are accepted and that planning permission is now sought.
2.2 That Officers be authorised to continue discussions with funding bodies and to submit appropriate funding bids.
3. BACKGROUND
3.1 The Coppice has been chosen as the site of one of six new architect/artist-designed landmarks for East Lancashire.
3.2 The project is being funded by the North Wet Development Agency (NWDA) and East Lancashire's Regional Park Programme, is being managed by the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network (ELEAN) and led by Mid Pennine Arts (MPA)
3.3 A Hyndbum Advisory Group, Chaired by Councillor Brian Walmsley, has been set up and has been engaged in consulting with the community and interested groups in developing an appropriate design.
3.4 Following this period of consultation and after taking into account the views of the Council, groups and individuals, there have been significant changes to the previous proposal, including a completely different design incorporating facilities such as seats and picnic benches.
3.5 The next stage of the process, subject to Members accepting the proposed scheme, is for planning permission for the landmark to be applied for.
3.6 Subject to receiving planning permission it is proposed that the landmark would be constructed and completed during 2006.
3.7 Following discussions with other agencies, it is hoped that a successful landmark project will be the catalyst for improvement works on the Coppice and Arden Hall; funding through the East Lancashire Regional Park and REMADE to improve existing footpaths, partnership work with Friends of Arden Hall and Lancashire Wildlife Trust, with funding from the Forestry Commission, to improve access and carry out woodland improvements in the Arden Hall area, and the refurbishment of the Peel Monument on the Coppice through Local Heritage Initiative funding from the Heritage Lottery. That would be over £350k of funding which would provide a real green space regeneration package from Bumley Road across the Coppice to Plantation Street/Hodder Street (see attached plan for details). The timescale for the work would be two to three years, subject to securing external funding, and it could lead to the Coppice and Arden Hall area being designated a local nature reserve, which would be the largest of its kind in Lancashire.
4. CONSULTATIONS
4.1 A wide range of consultation has taken place during the past year with schools, community groups, through Area Council and with the general public.
5. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 To allow the project to proceed in order to meet the timescale of the NWDA funding.
5.2 To allow Officers to maximise opportunities to secure external funding.
6. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REASONS FOR REJECTION
6.1 None.
7. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
7.1 It is anticipated that the full cost of the project (£350K) will come from external funding
sources.
7.2 Funding for revenue upkeep for the first three years will also come from external sources. After
this period, any revenue costs will be contained within existing budgets.
8. LINKS TO CORPORATE PRIORITIES
• Community Safety
• Housing & the Environment
• Culture & Leisure
9. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
9.1 None.
10. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985
Panopticons - Cabinet 21st July 2004
Council - 2 March 2005
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