Part 1
ITEM NO.
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REPORT OF STRATEGIC DIRECTOR FOR SUSTAINABLE REGENERATION
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TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR PLANNING ON 17 AUGUST 2010
AND LEAD MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT ON 23 AUGUST 2010
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TITLE: IRWELL RIVER PARK: CRESCENT MEADOWS – PHASE 2 MEADOW,
WOODLAND AND WETLAND WORKS
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Lead Member for Planning is recommended to:
1. Approve the Phase 2 proposals for the Crescent Meadows, costing
£117,796.40 out of the total available funding of £175,750. The works will
consist of fencing at the Meadow Road entrance, meadow and woodland
planting and wetland creation, to be implemented between October 2010 and
March 2011;
2. Approve that Urban Vision enter into negotiations with Salford City Council’s
appropriate partner contractor to obtain a target cost for constructing the
works on site;
3. Authorise the Strategic Director for Sustainable Regeneration to enter into
contract for these works, upon written confirmation of the availability of the
Setting Scene for Growth programme funding; and
4. Note that the approved Phase 1 proposals for the laying of footpaths at the
Crescent Meadows have been completed, at cost of £57,953.60. Of this sum,
£44,953.60 has been paid and a final claim for the works will be submitted
shortly.
That the Lead Member for Environment is recommended to:
1. Approve the Phase 2 proposals for fencing at the Meadow Road entrance,
meadow and woodland planting and wetland creation at the Crescent
Meadows, on land owned by Salford City Council (SCC) and managed by the
Environmental Services Directorate; and
2. Approve the maintenance arrangements to be carried out by the
Environmental Services Directorate, as set out in this report.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Irwell River Park will create an 8km sustainable transport corridor which will connect
£3 billion of economic investment between Salford Quays and Crescent Meadows.
The Meadows is the northern anchor of Irwell River Park, and is a key project within
the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company Business and Investment Plan
2009-2010. The total of £175,750 funding from Community Forests North West
(CFNW) Setting the Scene for Growth was approved by Lead Member for Planning
and Lead Member for Environment on 2 nd February 2010. At this stage, that funding
agreement is conditional on CFNW receiving funding from the Forestry Commission
and is at risk of withdrawal. Expenditure may therefore be at the City Council’s
risk. The Phase 2 works will consist of fencing at the Meadow Road entrance,
meadow and woodland planting and wetland creation. The proposals will improve
the accessibility, biodiversity and attractiveness of the site. Approval is sought for the
implementation of the Phase 2 proposals between October 2010 and February 2011,
which combined with the Phase 1 works will cost up to £175,750.
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BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: None
(Available for public inspection)
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KEY DECISION:
YES
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DETAILS:
1.0
Background
1.1
Irwell River Park will create an 8km sustainable transport corridor which
will connect £3 billion of economic investment between Salford Quays
and Crescent Meadows. The underlying rationale for Irwell River Park is
to transform the waterfront connecting Salford, Manchester and Trafford
providing inspirational waterside spaces, connections and place-making
and deliver new cultural, leisure and sustainable transport routes, and
promote excellence in environmental quality.
1.2
Since 2007 and the bid for Big Lottery funding, the Irwell River Park
project has been fully supported by not only key partners such as the
three authorities, funding bodies and key developers, but also by the
local communities which in particular this proposal would benefit.
1.3
Crescent Meadows is a key project in the approved Central Salford
Urban Regeneration Company Business and Investment Plan 20102011.
1.4
Lead Member Approval was granted on 2 February 2010 for Phase 1 to
be implemented, at a cost of approximately £55,000. The Phase 1
footpath works have now been completed. The Phase 2 works will
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complete the Setting the Scene for Growth proposals to significantly
improve a large existing public open space at the northern anchor of
Irwell River Park and a key gateway to the Irwell Sculpture Trail. It will
provide an immediate resource for local communities in Broughton and
Irwell Riverside, and will generate confidence in the future of the site and
Irwell River Park as a whole.
1.5
Setting the Scene for Growth is a fund managed by Community Forests
North West Ltd on behalf of the Northwest Regional Development
Agency and the Forestry Commission.
2.0
Details
2.1
The attached plan at Annex 1 shows the Phase 1 footpath and the
Phase 2 proposals. Shallow ponds with gently sloping sides will be
created at the southern end of the Meadows, surrounded by marshy
areas to discourage public access to the water’s edge. Willow coppices
will be established on one side of each of the ponds and these will be
managed by being cut down to the ground every 2 to 3 years. Small
groups of native trees will be planted inside the new perimeter path and
a line of more formal planting along the main entrance path. The
boundary with Meadow Road will be secured with 1m high railings,
maintenance gate and pedestrian access controls, to allow disabled
access but deter motorcycles. Grass areas will be managed to allow the
development of wildflower meadows, with wide mown paths through
them. An area of close mown grass at the north end of the site will allow
outdoor events to be held in this location if required. The proposals will
also consist of visitor facilities such as seating and signage.
2.2
Planning permission is not required as this work, which is permitted
development by the City Council, on its’ own land.
2.3
The Phase 2 proposals will:



2.6
Secure the site with attractive, accessible and sustainable perimeter
treatments;
Improve accessibility and increase usage by creating a network of
surfaced and unsurfaced paths; and
Increase the attractiveness and interest of the site by improving the
existing woodland habitat on site, diversifying the grassland and
creating new woodland and wetland habitats.
The long term vision for the Meadows was generated through substantial
officer-level involvement from a range of key partners. The Setting the
Scene for Growth proposals are a step towards the long term vision, and
have been accepted by the Irwell River Park Strategic Steering Group.
The proposed design has been presented to and supported by the
Chapel Street Regeneration Forum and Chapel Street Business Group.
In order to manage expectations, more detailed engagement with
community groups is proposed only once Lead Member approval has
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been secured, and NWDA funding has been confirmed. Therefore a
series of information sessions will be held in September and October to
confirm that the current designs remain acceptable. This could involve
the use of the Salix Homes consultation bus at various locations, in
combination with presentations to both Chapel Street groups and
community groups in Lower Broughton. The consultation approach will
be agreed with a number of parties including Countryside Properties who
have entered into a Development Agreement with Salford City Council
covering the Crescent Meadows site. Community Committees will also
be informed of the proposals and existing structures of meetings will be
used where appropriate.
3.0
Future Management and Maintenance
3.1
Grounds Maintenance Section, Environment Directorate have confirmed
the existing annual cost of maintaining the site is £4,400 per annum. This
includes the maintenance of the Phase 1 Setting the Scene for Growth
works which were completed in April 2010.
3.2
The total figure of £175,750 approved Setting the Scene for Growth
proposal includes £14,000 Establishment Costs to contribute towards the
uplift in maintenance costs for five years following practical completion of
Phase 2 of the works. This equates to an annual additional maintenance
sum of £2,800 per year for five years.
3.3
Subject to securing the external funding, the total available maintenance
budget for each of the first five years is therefore £7,200, which the
Environment Directorate has confirmed is sufficient to maintain the site.
3.4
Following five years, the Environment Directorate has confirmed it will be
able to maintain the site from within existing budgets.
3.5
The Management and Maintenance Arrangements for the Phase 2 works
will include cutting of the meadow areas annually using a forage
harvester, with all mowings to be removed from site. Wide mown paths
will be maintained through and around the edges of the meadows by
gang mowing regularly during the growing season. The wetland areas
will be inspected regularly from a Health & Safety perspective and any
excessive weed/algae growth removed. Coppicing of willows will be
carried out on a 3 year cycle, with one third of the areas being cut down
to the ground annually. The new tree planting will be maintained under
the contract with the chosen Partner Contractor for the first twelve
months and thereafter by the Environment Directorate, to allow the new
planting to be guaranteed for the first year.
4.0
Complementary Projects
4.1
The Setting the Scene for Growth works at the Meadows are part of a
wider programme of improvements to the area, which together have and
will continue to put in place real and lasting benefits for the local
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community and wider area as set out below:

Three large mounds have been present to the north east of the
site for a number of years, deposited by the Environment Agency
under their duty to reduce flood risk and maintain the river bank.
Two of these mounds consisted of material dredged from the river
bed including rubble and pieces of metal, with a third consisting of
top soil. The mounds represented a health and safety risk for
users of the site, obstructed visibility at the site entrance,
restricted views to the river and reduced the accessibility of the
site. Following discussions on site with the Urban Regeneration
Company, Environmental Services Directorate and Urban Vision’s
Landscape Architect, the Environment Agency have graded out
the mounds and covered with top soil. The Environment Agency
will shortly seed the area with a grass and wildflower mix. The
north eastern corner of the Meadows has been significantly
improved as a result, with the entrance from Meadow Road
opened up with clear views into the site and of the river. The
works have improved the accessibility and useability of the
Meadows for the local community by making it more attractive,
increasing visibility and perceptions of safety.

The project will complement the Crescent Meadows Woodland
Management Plan which is currently on site and is three years
into a five year programme of planned maintenance works to the
trees and landscaping including the treatment of invasive weeds
to improve biodiversity and develop different types of ecosystems.

The works will be complemented by match funding which Red
Rose Forest has secured from English Nature through the “Setting
the Scene for Nature” project. This will provide ¼ of a person’s
working time plus £11,000 a year to spend on increasing the
number and diversity of users of the site, enabling volunteer
involvement, and providing gateway improvements. (This
additional funding is dependent upon match funding being
provided through the Setting the Scene for Growth works).
4.0
Procurement
4.1
Subject to Lead Member approval, Urban Vision will enter into
negotiations with Salford City Council’s appropriate partner contractors to
obtain a target cost for constructing the works on site.
5.0
Financial
5.1
The funding for Phase 2 has been confirmed insofar as this is possible
within the wording of the Grant Funding Agreement (see below). Given
the current cuts to public funding, written confirmation has been
requested before any further expenditure by Salford City Council. CFNW
understand that this will be forthcoming by the end of August. Forestry
Commission have confirmed that they will pay all claims submitted to
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them for approved expenditure incurred before any notification of any
changes in the funding arrangements.
5.2
Funding will be drawn down by Salford City Council expending up to the
value of the Agreement, and providing evidence of defrayal to
Community Forests North West Ltd to claim this value back.
6.0
Conclusion
6.1
Lead Members are asked to approve the report and implementation of
the works, subject to confirmation of external funding. No contract will be
entered into until confirmation is received in writing that the external
funding is secure. Following written confirmation of funding, Lead
Member is asked to delegate authority to the Strategic Director for
Sustainable Regeneration to approve entering into any contracts.
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KEY COUNCIL POLICIES:
 Salford City Council Unitary Development Plan (adopted 21 June 2006); and
 Irwell City Park Planning Guidance (adopted by Salford City Council March
2008).
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EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND IMPLICATIONS:
The Phase 2 proposals will further improve the accessibility of the site for the benefit
of all members of the local community.
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ASSESSMENT OF RISK:
Medium. The payment of funding by CFNW is dependent upon it receiving the
requisite funding from the Forestry Commission. Therefore if Salford City Council is
expending monies in advance, then at the current time there is no guarantee, even
with the benefit of a signed GFA, that it will be able to recover such expenditure.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Setting the Scene for Growth is a partnership between Northwest Development
Agency and the Forestry Commission. It should be noted that the payment of funding
by CFNW is dependent upon it receiving the requisite funding from the Forestry
Commission. Therefore if the City Council is expending monies in advance at the
current time there is no guarantee, even with the benefit of a completed GFA, that it
will be able to recover such expenditure.
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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Supplied by: Ian Sheard x 3084
Date Consulted: 18/6/2010
Comments: It is noted that the payment of funding by CFNW is dependent upon it
receiving the requisite funding from the Forestry Commission, and therefore if the
City Council is expending monies in advance, then at the current time there is no
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guarantee, even with the benefit of a completed GFA, that it will be able to recover
such expenditure.
Existing easements, including the easement for access by the Environment Agency
to their meter house on the river and for the telecom cable supply to it, will be
maintained.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Supplied by: Alison Swinnerton x7423
Date Consulted: 18/06/2010
Comments: Crescent Meadows forms part of the approved Central Salford Urban
Regeneration Company’s Business and Investment Plan. The project will be funded
by a grant from Setting the Scene for Growth; expenditure will occur during the
financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11. The maintenance costs have been identified
and can be met from within the maintenance arrangements set out above. However,
there is a phrase within the GFA which states that “CFNW shall have no liability to
make any payment to the Applicant if the related sums are not received by it from the
(Forestry) Commission for any reason”. Therefore there is no guarantee that Salford
City Council would be able to recover the expenditure.
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OTHER DIRECTORATES CONSULTED:
The Environment Directorate is supportive of the Phase 2 proposals.
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CONTACT OFFICER: Tim Hewitt
TEL. NO. 0161 686 7416
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WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): Broughton
Crescent Meadows
Ph2 - press release.doc
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ANNEX 1 – PROPOSED PHASE 2 WORKS
(including Phase 1 footpath works now implemented)
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