LGS 14 Chapel-en-le-Frith South Station Approach
Local Green Space
LGS 14 Land approaching Chapel-en-le-Frith
South Station
Criteria and reason for protection:
Comment
1. Is the green space in reasonably close
proximity to the community it serves?
YES: Within 140m of Long Lane existing built up
area and within 30m of the major new housing
development site on Long Lane
2.
YES: see below.
Is the green space demonstrably special to
the local community and hold a particular
local significance?
a) Are there significant views from the local
area into or across the site?
YES: Views into and across the site towards Eccles
Pike from station approach to Chapel -en-le-Frith,
presenting attractive views and rural character of
area to local people and visitors arriving by train
Attractive views into the site from Bankhall Drive
and the footpath to the south of the site; see
photographs.
The site is highly visible from Eccles Pike and the
surrounding hills
b) Does the site afford the public with
significant views out into the wider
countryside?
YES: Beautiful panoramic view stretching from
Ladder Hill and Eccles Pike in the west , Cracken
Edge, South Head, Kinder and Chapel-en-le-Frith
town and church in the north, around to the hills in
the direction of Martinside in the east.
c) Does the site have special historic
significance or features?
YES: There is a drystone wall adjacent to the lane
approaching the station. The railway station dates
back to 1863, and was the site of a famous railway
crash in 1957 remembered for the heroic action of
the train driver John Axon. There is a Grade II
listed bridge on historic Bankhall Drive which forms
the western boundary of the site and leads to two
Grade II listed buildings, Bankhall Lodge and
Bankhall.
d) Does the site have recreational value?
YES: short circular walks, close to town, very
popular with local people. Used for school cross
country runs and primary school walks. Easy
walking for people of various ages and abilities,
including some with push chairs. These footpaths
adjacent to the town (FP45 &FP 57) connect to an
extensive network of popular local footpaths for
more adventurous walkers and for jogging.
e) Is the site particularly tranquil?
YES: except occasionally when trains pass by.
f)
Does the site have ecological value, wildlife
or habitat?
YES: A wide variety of birds. For example Bank
Hall Drive is a first class area for birds such as
finches, tits, wren, winter bramblings and thrushes,
with swallows and warblers in summer, Mature
trees and hedges line Bankhall Drive and there are
many mature trees in the woodland around the
stream and at southern end of site, Some valuable
wet habitat in semi improved grassland and rush
pasture. See photographs
g) Does the site form a significant green break
within the settlement?
A significant green break between the housing and
the railway station
h) Are there other reasons that make the site
special to local people?
Adults and children observe and interact with
horses, sheep and cattle in the fields.
It was noted that the High Peak Local Plan Impact
Assessment (2014) identified part of this as an area
that could not accommodate development in
landscape terms
i) Is there evidence demonstrating that the site
is special to local people?
YES:
30 local people identified this as a special area in
response to the Chapel Vision Survey, 2012.
In February 2014, in just a few hours, 52 people
walking around the area signed a petition stating
that this site is special to local people and
supporting its designation as a Local Green Space.
Many more signatures could be obtained if
required.
See also photographs and comments from local
people, below.
3. Is the green area:
a) local in character?
b) an extensive tract of land?
a) YES: A local space bounded by railway
embankment to south, station approach
road and embankment with two low bridges
to north east and Bankhall Drive to the
west.
b) NO: only about 0.25% of the
Neighbourhood Plan area
Is there public access to the site?
Would the site provide the public with amenity
value without public access?
YES: Public access by footpaths around the site
and an ancient track across the site.
Views into and across site, wildlife and farm
animals observable from walks around periphery of
site.
Summary and recommendations:
Recommend designation as a Local Green Space,
Particularly special to many local people for popular
and interesting rural walks very close to home and
panoramic views approaching Chapel-en-le-Frith
from the station. Satisfies all of the NPPF criteria.
Comments from local people:
“Beautiful countryside and safe walks for dogs and children, en route to the railway station”.
J Green
“Live nearby and love the walking. Haven for wildlife which we need.” H. Mairs
“Beautiful countryside walk for families. We (have) been enjoying this walk for years with children and
grand children” J and NF Watson
“…This gateway into Chapel from the railway station identifies the town as a warm, welcoming market
town that tourists feel at home in as soon as they arrive.” Gary Dobbin, (in response to the Chapel Vision
survey 2012)