News from City Council
Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 December 2011 17:51
Cherry Hinton Hall Bulletin
December 2011
The Cherry Hinton Hall Bulletin is designed to keep visitors to the park informed of any recent, current and up and coming works. It also provides news of any events which may be happening as well as other interesting information about the park.
Latest News:
Taking a concept through to delivery
The Masterplan to this point in time has been a well consulted concept. Since the last bulletin considerable work has been undertaken to consider the following key areas which will take the concept forward to delivery;
- A full project appraisal of the scheme to look in more detail at the sketched Masterplan and apportion realistic costs.
- Identifying current section 106 funds ready and available and prioritising the elements of the Masterplan to maximise use of these funds.
- Obtain Committee consent for these funds to be spent (January 2012).
The latest section 106 budgets available have ear marked £75,000 for a first phase with a further £350,000 to follow as part of a matched funding bid.
Key priorities in the phasing process
One of the key priorities of the masterplan is to bring the currently dis-used and fence off central area into the park for the public to use.
The first phase of delivery will therefore concentrate on this area, opening out and creating a blank canvas which will mean other more complex elements of the plan can be delivered without any major earthworks required.
Subject to the £75,000 funding being formally released for expenditure at Community Service Scrutiny in January 2012, the following works are being planned from February onwards;
- The removal of a section of the privet hedge and green wrought iron fencing in line with Daws Lane entrance gate going towards the pond area. The fencing removed will be re-used to create a service area/compound used by the Cambridge City Council.
(Area 1 on map)
- Removal of vegetation (including self set sycamores) and fencing along the back boundary of the current compound enabling views across the parkland from and into the pond area.
(Area 2 on map)
- Removal of vegetation up to the Leylandii hedge and boundary fenceline of the school
(Area 3 on map)
- The re-grading, preparation and re-seeding of main central area to enable public access from summer 2012. The existing roadways and hardstanding will need to remain as currently there are insufficient funds to remove it. Minor remedial works will be required to repair some of these areas to ensure they are safe when the area becomes accessible to the public.
(Area 4 on map)
- Planting of 8 large trees (species Ash) and informal native hedging along the Daws Lane boundary
(Area 5 on map)
- Removal of mixed species hedge and selective thinning of vegetation along the stream running from the small bridge through to Daws Lane. This will enable light levels to be increased into the natural chalk stream and promote biodiversity. For many years the ditch has had to have periodic clearance of fallen vegetation and debris, by thinning this belt of vegetation. This intensive maintenance regime will diminish significantly.
(Area 6 on map)
- Further consultation and consideration as to the removal of Leylandii trees to rear of Hall building. One of the agreed masterplan aims is to open up views of the Hall building (front and rear). It is likely, should this work proceed within the funding allocated that this will be planned for later in 2012 to coincide with the school holidays and after further careful consideration of what is to replace the belt of trees to ensure the school boundary remains secure.
(Area 7 on map)
- Tree planting – replacement of failed Beech Tree on front boundary and Ash felled during 2011 – to be replaced by two English Oaks
(Areas 8 & 9 on map)
Routine works recently completely/currently in progress
Work has been ongoing in the Hall play area as part of the routine maintenance/renewal programme which happens across the city on all of our play areas;
- The old swings and wooden cableway were rotten and these have been replaced in the last month, also incorporating a small mound to add natural play opportunities.
- The bark within the play area has broken down and requires full replacement. The existing mulch will be scraped off, removed and replaced by bark nuggets suitable for play provision.
- Work will be undertaken shortly to address the mound where the small slide is situated. This is currently very muddy so the work will seek to address the problem by either use of rubber matting with grass growing through or a synthetic Astroturf product.
Summary:
The Masterplan, which has had invaluable input from key stakeholders and has been shaped into its current approved format, will start to be delivered in earnest during 2012. This has been eagerly awaited by many.
The key to its success is re-developing the central area and the proposed work above will, in the first instance enable the public to enjoy a significantly larger open space for many uses.
Cambridge City Council would like to thank all park users for being involved in the creation/consultation process which has enabled the Masterplan to reach this stage.
Wishing all park users a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Anthony French
Open Space Officer - Horticulture
Cambridge City Council
(01223 457000)
20/12/11
