Formally the site of Hartshead power station and Millbrook railway sidings, the site has lain derelict for over 25 years and sits within green belt. There are two existing water bodies to the east of the site, as well as the River Tame and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
The site presents an exciting opportunity to bring back into use one of the largest disused areas of open green space in Greater Manchester. The complex and challenging site has a long-standing planning history as well as difficult topography, drainage and contamination issues. Along with a rich industrial heritage with former mills, a power station and railway sidings all previously present on the site. The site presents unique opportunities with remnants and landmarks to interpret and respond to in the final solutions.
Urban Green worked closely with our client and the project team to fully understand and appreciate the site, its opportunities and constraints to develop a brief that would respond to the site context and its complexities. A comprehensive arboriculture and ecology surveys including reptiles and bat roost assessments have been completed and a badger setting monitored to ensure the site is comprehensively understood.
Leading the client’s design strategy, Urban Green actively engaged with the Local Planning Authority, operators and potential user groups to identify and work up sustainable design and management options prior to public consultation held summer 2018. Various charitable trusts were actively engaged on the benefits of the project to identify long-term stewardship solutions.
The design proposals carefully consider access and egress, circulation space and pedestrian linkages. The former railway sidings have been identified for residential development for up to 200 units which will enable the development of the 60-acre public park and its future management.
A natural capital approach was taken to seek to deliver a net gain for the habitat, its wildlife and biodiversity. A viable management plan and good management practices will aim to deliver improvement in species and stock of the Green Infrastructure.
Urban Green is leading the planning application to be submitted early 2019.