New wild play area in Spodden Valley to benefit children 'through play and exploration'

Local children will soon benefit from a new wild play area located in Spodden Valley, which aims to promote and encourage 'learning about the environment through play and exploration'.

The project is a partnership between officers at Rossendale Borough Council, Whitworth Town Council, and Proffitts – Investing in Communities CIC who pride themselves on ‘community based regeneration, neighbourhood management and green space solutions.’

Funded by the local councils and Viridor Credits, the proposed recreation facility will see the construction of wild play areas, upgrades to existing paths and facilities, and the installation of new features and equipment, as well as works to landscaping, planting, and trees, including those covered by Tree Preservation Orders.

The area of the new site - in a section of Healey Dell, north of the duck pond, between the River Spodden and Market Street in Whitworth - was determined by Proffitts who assessed and scored local land owned by Rossendale Borough Council based on a range of criteria including proximity to existing facilities and schools, proximity to existing play facilities, and location in relation to roads, cycleways and bridleways.

The site can be accessed from the path on the former railway line to the east or via the bridleway off Market Street, opposite Oakenshaw Avenue or the path into the valley next to Porky's Pit Stop on Market Street to the west.

 

 

In order 'to work within the physical and environmental restraints' of the site and 'respect the needs of the horseriders and ecologists to create a place of recreation for the community in Whitworth', the work will focus on all-natural materials – ensuring nature and wildlife remain protected.

Play features will include an agility trail, mud table, sand digger, scramble net, tower and climber, a basket 'bird's nest swing', and slides, to name a few, and will be a mixture of rope, timber, and steel with natural boulders and timber tree trunks, whilst play surfacing will comprise of play bark, pea gravel and grass mat.

Artwork, seats and signage will also be created along the route by the community and local artists.

Not only will the scheme bring in all new natural elements, but existing works which were carried out on the site from 2002 - 2003 will also be repaired or recreated. This means existing paths, pond and dipping platform, crown lifting and felling away from path edges, which are all due for renewal, will be spruced up.

In granting planning permission, Rossendale Borough Council described the reasons for approval: "The proposed scheme is not inappropriate development in the Green Belt as it entails the provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor recreation, will preserve the openness of the Green Belt, and will not conflict with the purposes of including land within the Green Belt."

Whitworth Town Clerk, Melanie Hearn, said: “Whitworth is an amazing place to live but it has always been lacking in play facilities for children who have outgrown Festival Park at the Riverside.

“We are so lucky to have Healey Dell on our doorstep and this new play facility has been carefully and sensitively designed to allow families to explore and learn about our natural surroundings without disrupting the natural habitat.

“Coming out of lockdown this will provide a safe and exciting way for families and friends to reconnect whilst also connecting with nature.”

The play area in Spodden Valley is expected to be complete by the end of August this year.