Worcestershire County Council
Quarry Restoration and After-Use Competition
Ref No. : QCOMP035
Entry Title : TRIATUM LEISURE COMPLEX
LOCATION & PLANNING CONTEXT
Whilst the site is fictitious it is likely to be located in the northern part of Worcestershire since this is where
deep Triassic sand and gravel deposits exist. This means that it will be close to the major Birmingham and
Black Country conurbation which has excellent transport infrastructure. Being close to that conurbation the
site falls within the Green Belt which potentially restricts the types of development granted planning
permission. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) seeks to encourage schemes that are
sustainable (economically, socially and environmentally). In addition they should not be ‘harmful to the
Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances. A local planning authority
should regard the construction of new buildings as inappropriate in Green Belt’. Exceptions to this include
‘appropriate facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation…..as long as it preserves the openness of the
Green Belt and does not conflict with the purposes of including land within it’.
The proposed outdoor recreation and nature conservation attraction seeks to fulfil all of the above
requirements. It has been named the Triatum Leisure Complex (or TLC for short) since the word Triatum
derives from an abbreviation of the words ‘Triple Stratum’. This relates to the vertical structure of the
development within the quarry where :The Upper Stratum - focusses on the retained sand cliffs and the inter-relationship between the retained
landscape around the rim of the quarry and the wider pastoral setting which will be enjoyed by means of a
new circular trail. This layer also includes the new access routes into the site for visitors, emergency
services, and land managers.
The Middle Stratum- includes a large circular visitor centre (with adjacent car parking) that overlooks an
extensive green roof canopy comprised of heathland, acid grassland, and zen inspired gravel garden areas
all overlooked by a raised circular seating terrace. Within the Centre there would be a model making
activity zone; a café/restaurant; as well as geological and environmental interpretation areas.
The Lower Stratum – located in the base of the quarry and largely beneath the green roof canopy acts as an
‘outside-in’ experience. Recreational activities include go-karting, ice skating, roller-blading, and outdoor
cinema screenings.
The Triatum name also harks back to the quarry’s geology in that the deposits were laid down in the
Triassic period as a layer or stratum some 200 million years ago.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Key features of the TLC development include :•
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The biggest go-kart circuit in the U.K.; the first fully undercover external track; electric karts and
potentially unique if hydrogen powered. The layout can be readily modified due to the domed
glulam / LVL / cross-laminated timber canopy’s limited requirement for structural support.
A superb location for outdoor cinema screening whether for pedestrians or as a drive-in. Screen
size can be adjusted to suit from as little as 6m x 3m right up to 12m x 6m.
The only model-making with moulds / painting activity zone in the U.K. Using a variety of mediums
one could create miniature dinosaurs, jewellery, ornaments, and military figures from the past
right up to Star Wars, Hogwarts, or Game of Thrones characters!
A full sized under cover artificial ice skating / roller-blading rink complete with outdoor winter
extension; suitable for informal leisure usage as well as formal skating / roller derby competitions.
Café / restaurant facilities to relax in and view both the ‘indoor’ and ‘outdoor’ activities.
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Potential for temporary sand or metal art / sculpture exhibitions, competitions, and trail.
Ecological studies (of endangered LBAP birds and insects as well as LHAP vegetation.
A valuable geological resource that contributes to the development of the Geopark.
A large viewing terrace overlooking the zen stone garden and wider quarry landscape.
A circular trail from which one can view the site and the wider countryside, larger than life flora
and fauna sculptures, and discover the heritage and ecology of the site.
LANDSCAPE
The design adopts the objectives / opportunities identified in the key Landscape Character Assessment
areas (the ‘Principal Settled Farmlands’ and ‘Enclosed Commons’). These draw attention to a lack of heath,
and a need to conserve and enhance hedgerows. They identify that ‘there is great potential for imaginative
landscape design together with a wide range of opportunities to enhance the biodiversity of the area and
promote the creation and appropriate management of natural vegetation communities on non-farmed
areas and along highways’. The Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy 2013 -2018 wishes to see
new informal recreation facilities due to increasing development pressures, as well as restore acid
grassland. Worcestershire CC Minerals Guidance Paper Nov 2013 indicates that ‘there is ….. enormous
future potential for the creation of scarce habitats of high conservation value including heathland, acid
grassland and scrub’.
The built elements are deliberately set down inside the quarry to ensure that the openness of the
countryside will not be affected. The choice of proposed habitats and drought tolerant planting are
appropriate for this locality given the minimal presence of thin dry, sandy soils, and as such are more likely
to survive in the long term. Due to the scale and nature of the proposed development the quantity of
imported inert fill and subsequent ground modelling should be minimized. The long term land
management of the site by low intensity grazing (ideally using local livestock) will be visually and
environmentally appropriate. The orientation and design of the green roofed building / canopy will ensure
that the development sits well within the quarry landscape. There will be dramatic full height views from
the southern footbridge section of the permissive path. Planting in and around the site boundaries will help
minimize erosion and contrast well with the dramatic cliff setting.
STRUCTURES (BUILDINGS & CANOPIES)
Climate change
Issue : Predictions are that the locality will experience :•
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warmer, drier summers (with a 20% decrease in precipitation).
warmer winters that conversely are likely to have 20% higher precipitation levels.
events may be more intense - heat waves and droughts at one extreme and deluges and temporary
flooding at the other.
potentially significant impact on both humans and nature conservation.
Response : The TLC design will consult guidance from e.g. the Worcestershire Green Infrastructure &
Climate Planning methodology & site profile/actions; the Worcestershire LEP Assessment for climate risk &
opportunities for carbon reduction & renewable energy; and the CIBSE ‘Design Compass Tool for Designers.
A ‘Value at Risk’ assessment relating to potential climate resilience could be followed by more detailed
assessments. Low carbon products would be specified for the construction phase and long term
management. The building and canopied structure will provide protection from the elements; the green
roof will help to capture carbon; smart environmentally appropriate solutions will be adopted; and on-site
renewable energy generation will reduce the scheme’s carbon footprint.
Water
The scheme will be designed to be fully SUDs compliant in accordance with CIRIA’s latest C753 Manual. As
well as the extensive green roof it is likely that the scheme will incorporate rainwater harvesting, grey
water recycling, and damp/wet acid grassland habitats that soak away to replenish the aquifer beneath.
These measures will ensure flooding issues caused by heavy episodic / prolonged precipitation events are
avoided. Harvested water could be used internally within the building, as well as externally for plant
irrigation and extinguishing grassland fires.
Energy / lighting
To avoid excessive solar gain the majority of the development will be covered by green roofed canopies
(the large western one complete with domed skylights), although it will be open on its south side together
with a south-facing landscaped courtyard in order to provide a bright and welcoming environment. The
upstairs section of the main visitor building will have extensive glazing together with a Fibonacci array of
sunpipes on its green roof to maximize daylight capture. Power and heating for the building will be with a
renewable energy source such as ground source heating. Low energy lighting will largely be located within
the building and under the large canopy roof but where they need to be located externally they will be
Dark Sky compliant. Innovative architectural, ecological, and engineering approaches are envisaged e.g. to
BREEAM very good or excellent standard in order to provide an environmentally appropriate low carbon
design. Electric / hydrogen go-karts will avoid the use of unsound carbon-centric fuels, and the selection of
an artificial ice/roller rink surface will avoid the need for energy consuming refrigerants. To minimize
transport miles and promote the local / regional economy local suppliers and materials will be sought out.
Acoustics
Despite being adjacent to a main A road there is potential that such a major tourist attraction could
generate significant noise pollution both to adjacent small settlements (A,B,C, and H) and to livestock /
local wildlife. To overcome this attention has been given to ensure that :•
The noisiest activities will be confined to the proposed building / canopied domed structures in the
lower and middle ‘strata’ which are set well down within the quarry.
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Go-karts would be electric (or possibly hydrogen) powered which are much quieter than
conventional engines (and at the same time avoid harming air quality).
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The outdoor cinema will be acoustically unobtrusive. Pedestrians sat in close proximity to a small
screen will require relatively low volumes and thus it is unlikely to generate disruptive noise levels
beyond the site boundary. For large screen drive-in movies sound will be provided by means of an
FM transmission direct to the car radio. Wireless headsets could also be provided for silent cinema.
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Vehicle movements associated with deliveries and car parking would also be set well down within
the quarry on the middle ‘stratum’ level.
ECOLOGY / HABITAT CREATION
Existing ecology of value will be retained e.g. sand cliffs, native pioneer species, and immature scrub. New
LHAP habitats (heather, heathland, wet and dry lowland acid grassland, species-rich hedgerows) will be
created for their intrinsic beauty and diversity as well as to provide suitable food, shelter, and nest sites for
LBAP species. Proposals will be in accordance with NCA 97:Arden opportunity priorities, and act as an
important ‘stepping stone’ link to the Forest of Mercia Community Forest, the Wyre Forest, and other
significant local environments. Fresh sections of sand cliffs and bare ground will be provided for ground
nesting bees and wasps / sand martins and raptors / basking areas for reptiles; pollen-rich planting and
possibly discretely located beehives will assist the National Pollinator Strategy. The establishment of
appropriate native habitats and drought tolerant ornamental species will help to ensure their long term
viability and minimize water for irrigation requirements. Some scattered scrub and woodland planting will
be permitted. Artificial features such as bird and bat boxes, and hibernaculum could complement natural
elements such as deadwood, small patches of bracken, and micro-topography such as hummocks, hollows,
scrapes, and sand/gravel piles. Collaborative working will be pursued with adjacent landowners to extend
key habitats onto their land and/or ensure that buffer zones or control measures are put in place to protect
the on-site features from detrimental factors such as herbicides and fertilizers. This is likely to include
farmers as well as the owners of the brownfield sites to the north, east and west. In consultation with
organisations such as Natural England, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Buglife, the Woodland Trust, and the
RSPB detailed prescriptions will be agreed, to include natural regeneration and/or local provenance native
species set within a long term management plan framework. Once established these habitats will provide a
significant net gain in biodiversity on site, and with the support of adjacent landowners will hopefully
expand these gains further afield beyond the site boundary, which should ultimately provide greater
ecological resilience to climate change.
GEOLOGY / HERITAGE
The TLC development would promote the site’s historical context in that the quarry was a) worked for its
red Triassic sands and gravels that were laid down in former hot desert conditions; b) the silica sands were
vitally important for mould-making in the nearby foundry / casting / glass making industries and c) it may
contain fossils such as Bromsgroveia (a genus of poposaurid). Visible deposits need to be retained for
visitors / researchers to examine. This will help to fulfil Herefordshire & Worcestershire’s Earth Heritage
Trust Geodiversity Action Plan objectives, and provide a link to Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark. The
presence of fossils and previous industrial uses of the sand could be resurrected within the proposed
model-making / painting activity zone using traditional and modern moulds, and possibly 3D sand printing.
COMMUNITY
The support by, and involvement with, the local community will be essential in order to ensure the scheme
is sustainable in the long term. Local expertise may help at the design phase in terms of e.g. habitat
creation, sculpture installations, interpretation, potential attractions, and heritage. Longer term local
landowners / farmers / residents might assist with land management / grazing, locally grown produce,
crafts, guided walks, and specialist activities. Local residents may also provide a staff resource / volunteer
labour to operate and maintain the scheme, as well as provide off-site camping / caravanning / B & B
accommodation.
Educationally the site could be extremely useful for a wide range of school curriculum studies, as well as
providing engineering opportunities to design, build, and take part in inter-school go-kart challenges; and
offer skills training in the leisure, art, heritage, and environmental sectors. Academic research might focus
on the development of hydrogen fuel cells and composite materials e.g. with the University of Birmingham,
or agricultural / land management techniques e.g. with Worcestershire Agricultural College.
HEALTH & ACCESS
The rich variety of proposed activities, habitats and landscaping, coupled with easy access and DDAcompliant paths should provide opportunities for healthy exercise for all ages and abilities – be it
‘informally’ walking / cycling around the 1.5km circular nature/sculpture trail, ice skating, roller blading, gokarting, and undertaking volunteer land management tasks; or participating in ‘formal’ go-kart
competitions and roller derby matches. More passive activities could also be entertained such as birdwatching, geological studies, or simply relaxing out on the circular terrace. The new habitats will improve
air quality, reduce wind-blown sand issues, and enhance the visual appeal of the site. There may also be
opportunities to enjoy outdoor experiences such as on the working farm that abuts the site.
The site’s location by an A road with a well-positioned main entrance ensures that the scheme will have
good access by public and private transport. Some minor junction improvements, revised bus stop
locations, and off-road provision of cycle-routes and permissive path linkages may need to be considered at
the feasibility stage. The north-eastern access point will be converted into an emergency vehicular access
route. A new access track around the west side will be provided for emergencies as well as to enable the
local farmer’s livestock controlled access to graze the heather/heath/grassland habitats. Access by visitors
and their dogs to sensitive areas (for habitats and species) e.g. the bare cliffs and grazed fields will be
controlled by means of secure stock fencing and on-site education/ trail leaflets.
CONCLUSION
The anticipated growth in population of the West Midlands, let alone Worcestershire’s (550,000 in 2010 to
625,000 by 2034), will increase pressure on existing tourist sites. To meet that growth and draw visitors
away from more sensitive habitats in the locality, the proposed TLC development will provide a unique new
multi-functional leisure attraction that can be enjoyed by all members of society both during the day and in
the evenings. Its innovative, high quality, low carbon design will create a series of adaptable spaces that
can be readily operated and maintained for the long term. The ‘triple stratum’ approach should be readily
transferrable to other quarry sites where alternative mixes of recreational activities could be identified
relevant to the specific context of those sites.