PROTECTING THE BARONY

A provisional plan for preventative measures for Barony Park & Sports Complex

Developed in partnership with Friends of Barony Park (July 2019)

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The Barony Park and Sports Complex is at the heart of Nantwich and is used by all different parts of the community for various sports, dog walking, picnics,

events and more. In 2019 alone there have now been 9 unauthorised encampments, the very latest today.

Earlier this year an evidence collection exercise put into black and white the problems associated with the encampments to make the strongest possible

case for action. 142 residents took part. The report described widespread anti-social behaviour. Particularly concerning were reports of what can only be

described as dangerous driving with a number of residents fearing it was only a matter of time until someone was seriously injured. The report can be

downloaded here. As a short term step I have proposed that Cheshire East Council apply for a court injunction to allow for more rapid action to be taken

when an unauthorised encampment arises. This idea has now received support from across the political spectrum. I continue to believe it is the best short

term action we can take.

During the evidence collection exercise residents were also asked if they supported the introduction of barrier of preventative measures to reduce the risk

of an unauthorised encampment being established in the first place. 90% of participants supported the introduction of a barrier. However, there are a

wide range of possible approaches to the introduction of a barrier. Importantly, I wanted to dispel the idea that this would mean introducing an entire

perimeter fence which might detract from the current open nature of the complex. In discussing this issue with residents including a number from Friends

of Barony Park, they advocated a more creative approach -using a variety of measures in different spots and taking advantage of existing barriers. Residents

were also keen to use the opportunity to enhance the Barony with new features.

This provisional plan was created through a focus group style walk around of the perimeter with members of the Friends of Barony Park who tried to think

creatively about what they would like to see introduced. Their contribution was invaluable. Included in the group was a resident with professional

expertise on introducing barrier measures of this type. Working together we came up with some exciting ideas including a community garden, a wildlife

area & orchard, a picnic area and outdoor gym equipment. Both I and Friends of Barony Park would now like to open up the discussion with residents as a

whole to refine this plan and then put it forward for the whole community to support in partnership with Friends of Barony Park and others. You can give

your views online by visiting www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/news/provisional-plan-barony-published. Friends of Barony Park will also be collecting views door

to door as well.

All political parties want to solve this problem. It isn’t a party political issue. I hope this plan makes a positive contribution to allowing us to move forward.

Dr Kieran Mullan

MP Candidate for Crewe & Nantwich

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Summary

A review of the perimeter identified 10 areas that allow vehicular access. These are shown on the

adjacent map. There are a number of areas that already have barriers of one kind or another.

There are some areas deemed low risk that may at a later date be deemed as requiring additional

measures. For each area we have identified the specific gaps. We have provided photos of these

access points and specific suggestions for how they could be filled. We have provided artists

impressions of the locations with the measures in place. Our proposals including a number of

enhancements including

-community garden & flower pots (Area 1 and Area 10)

-a wildlife zone & community orchard (Area 6)

-a picnic area including picnic tables (Area 8)

-outdoor gym equipment (Area 10)

These are just suggestions but this provisional plan provides a starting point that can be refined

further in consultation with residents. The provisional plan consists of

-1 large, 1 medium and 1 small raised flower (stone or wood based)

-7 bollards (at least 4 of which would be foldable to allow access)

-5 pieces of outdoor gym equipment

-18 hanging flower baskets

-8 trees

-5 stone boulders

-6 picnic tables

-165 metres of low wooden fencing or hedge

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Directory

AREA 1 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

AREA 2 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

AREA 3 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

AREA 4 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12

AREA 5 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14

AREA 6 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17

AREA 7 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19

AREA 8 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20

AREA 9 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 23

AREA 10 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

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AREA 1

The southernmost corner of the park is frequently used as an entry and exit

point for vehicles that are part of unauthorised encampments. There are

considerable risks associated with this because it is a major traffic junction.

We propose creating a community garden-a triangular raised flowerbed made

from either stone or wooden sleepers. We will invite and encourage local

schools to be involved in the planting and maintenance of this garden. We also

propose a plaque linked to the Nantwich Town Council ‘Salt of the Earth

Awards’ whereby the name of an individual recognised for making an

exceptional contribution to the local community be added every year.

Either side of the flower bed we propose adding two bollards which could

potentially be collapsible if it was determined further authorised access points

needed to be added (in addition to access points described in Area’s 3 and 5).

In keeping with our aim across all these measures, we have taken inspiration

from existing features of Nantwich, in this case the flowerbed in the centre of

Nantwich town centre.

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Location 1

Suggested preventative measures: Bollard

Location 3

Suggested preventative measures: Bollard

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Location 2

Suggested preventative measures: Raised flowerbed. Example illustrated shows a stone based flower bed. Alternative example from Nantwich Lake

using sleepers is shown below.

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AREA 2

The initial stretch of Barony Road has a limited number of existing

preventative measures with a significant stretch that needs to be

addressed. We are suggesting a run of low hedging that may need to be

reinforced with fencing initially. Low wooden fencing alone could be

used.

There are two additional much smaller gaps that could be filled with

planter boxes or low wooden fence. We have provided illustrations

showing an example of each.

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Location 4

Suggested preventative measures: Hedge with or without low wooden fence.

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Location 5

Suggested preventative measures: Small flowerbed or low wooden fence.

Location 6

Suggested preventative measures: Small flowerbed or low wooden fence

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AREA 3

This location serves as a key access point that creates particular requirements. A combination of low wooden fencing/hedge that extends from the building

in the top left along the length of the turfed triangle along with two fold down bollards is proposed. A community access scheme could ensure wide

availability of keys to enable access for events and emergency services. An assessment of the strength/durability of the co-located advertising board is also

advised to determine the need to replace this with a more effective obstacle.

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Location 8

Suggested preventative measures: Low wooden fence and two foldable bollards.

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AREA 4

This location serves as one of two car parks for the Barony. There are three stretches that need to be included with the longest running at approximately

60m as shown above. Given that this is a long stretch that at present doesn’t contain any significant natural features (beside the tree pictured) we propose

low wooden fencing with gaps to maintain ease of use by car park users. Alternatively a row of boulders could be placed there.

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Location 9

Suggested preventative measures: Low wooden fence.

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AREA 5 This is another areas which is currently used for

access during events. As such we propose the

introduction of foldable bollards to allow

permitted access with a community key

scheme. In addition, we propose the end of the

car park could be converted to a gate that

again could be opened to allow permitted

access. We can also add an extension of

approximately 10 metres of fencing to cover

the other gap. Alternatively a row of boulders

could be placed there.

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Location 10

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Suggested preventative measures: Extension of existing hedge and two foldable bollards.

Location 11

Suggested preventative measures: Extension of existing car park low wooden fence.

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AREA 6 This area is one in which we are making an

ambitious proposal for reworking this into a

corner supporting wilding and nature we have

described as the ‘Wildlife Corner’.

This area already contains a number of trees.

There are no overlooking houses that currently

enjoy the view of the gap between the greenery

and it represents a significant space to fill.

There have been recent plantings of trees and we

propose to extend this further by planting trees

in the remaining space and adding a number of

boulders and wild flowers to add further habitat

variety. We propose these be fruit trees to create

a community orchard.

If funding allows a small pond would add the first

water habitat to the Barony. At present this area

suffers flooding which this could help alleviate.

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Location 12

Suggested preventative measures: Boulders, fruit trees, water feature

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AREA 7 This stretch of the perimeter currently offers a

particularly open view and with a number of

residences offered a view. As such we propose

prioritising the openness and taking advantage of

a pre-existing dip in the ground. We propose

landscaping this to increase the angle of decline

and creating a low maintenance natural barrier.

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AREA 8 This stretch of the perimeter is another that currently

offers a particularly open view and with a number of

residences offered a view. We propose to place the 6

picnic tables along this stretch to create a picnic area for

the Barony. We will need to select an appropriate model

of picnic table to act as effective preventative measures as

freestanding benches would not be effective. We will also

need to consider additional bins nearby to minimise the

risk of litter resulting from use of the picnic tables.

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Location 14 & 15

Suggested preventative measures: Picnic tables.

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Location 16 & 18

Suggested preventative measures: Picnic tables.

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AREA 9 This area contains one of the longest stretches currently lacking preventative

measures. It also currently provides a very open view of the Barony to nearby

residents. As such we propose a low wooden fence to minimise the change to the

character of this view. The other smaller point of access could be filled by a single

plantar box.

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Location 18

Suggested preventative measures: Low wooden fence.

Location 19

Suggested preventative measures: Small plantar box.

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AREA 10

There are 13 possible stretches of access along Park View, representing by far the longest stretch. Residents along Park View also have a view of the park.

There are a number of mixed obstacles including trees, bins, lampposts and junction boxes. There represents a very large number of possible combinations

for addressing the 13 gaps. Focus group members recognised the potential for variability but felt it would be a positive starting point to at least put forward

a complete set of proposals for Park View that could be modified in consultation with residents.

Two measures have been chosen.

Firstly, we propose to work in partnership with Nantwich In Bloom to introduce a series of 18 hanging flower baskets that are commonly featured across

Nantwich. Secondly, we propose to add 5 pieces of outdoor gym equipment, primarily wood based so that they stylistically match their surrounds. These

would be accompanied by holds for dog leads to allow people exercising with dogs to use them.

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Acknowledgement of use of images taken from Cheshire East Council public map viewer, used for non-commercial purposes