Harlestone Manor Parish Council was pleased to finally open the Jubilee Wildlife Garden to the residents of Harlestone Manor Parish on Friday 3rd June 2022 as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. The event was well attended by residents from both estates, and many took the opportunity to explore the garden in brilliant sunshine, trying out the new benches and taking in the views.
This was the result of a huge piece of work undertaken by the Parish Clerk and Parish Councillors from Harlestone Manor Parish Council which started before the Loxton Fields estate was built, when David Wilson Homes took ownership of the site from Althorp Estate.
The Parish Councils had the option of taking on the ownership of the land, which if not acted upon, would have resulted in the land being managed by a Management Company such as Greenbelt. Many residents expressed dissatisfaction over their experiences of management companies in the community and following a series of meetings between HMPC and residents in 2021, the Parish Council made the decision to adopt the land for the benefit of the whole community. Since then, Harlestone Manor Parish Council have worked closely with David Wilson Homes and residents over a number of months to ensure the smooth transfer the land to the Parish Council in April 2022
Following the handover, The Parish Council then became responsible for the whole site including maintenance and planting. The original decision to adopt the land was made with a view to maintaining the land as was originally intended (and for which planning permission had been already granted), as meadow land and a natural space for all to enjoy.
Developing the green space for the future has been the subject of much discussion at public meetings of the parish council. Recent articles in the parish newsletter and on the Council’s, website explored the background to the project and our intention to utilise the expertise of organisations such as the Wildlife Trust to help us with the ongoing management of the site. A number of residents from Loxton Fields have attended meetings with the Parish Council and taken an active interest in helping shape the use of the Jubilee Wildlife Garden. In the first Parish Council newsletter there was an article about the space and residents were invited to contact the Parish Council if they wanted to join the working group – this offer still stands, and further information will be published shortly on how residents can get involved in looking after the site and even take part in wildflower and planting opportunities.
The ‘working group’ is being established for the public open space, with the hope that some young people will be keen to get involved in actively looking after the space. The working group will aim to utilise funds from our Climate Change grant to enhance the current space with new planting consistent with the meadow environment and with the hope to encourage more wildlife. We are also exploring opportunities to put on some activities and events for children over school holiday periods, to help stimulate their interest in the environment and ensure they too can learn the value of the local wildlife that frequents the area.
Initially David Wilson Homes funded two benches for the open space and then other Community Infrastructure monies enabled the Parish Council to purchase a Jubilee bench and statues as long-lasting memorials to commemorate the Queens Platinum Jubilee
Following a thorough Health and Safety risk assessment being undertaken, the Parish Council has had to put a number of measures in place to fulfil its legal obligations including some limitations on what activities can be undertaken whilst using the garden e.g., no ball games, no bikes. We have also asked for children to be supervised whilst using the area. We are aware that not everyone in the community feels this decision was fair. However, we must stress that the Council is responsible for mitigating any health and safety risks to all visitors to the garden and these decisions have been made with everyone’s safety in mind.
The decision was not taken lightly by the Parish Council and is the result of a detailed risk assessment highlighting a number of safety concerns particularly for children. As owners of the site, the Parish Council is responsible for minimising any risks to health and safety of ALL visitors and this also ensures adherence to our insurance policy.
As individuals (and volunteers) the Parish Councillors are unable and unwilling to take responsibility for the behaviour of children who are unsupervised, as we as individuals would be liable. The council is sure that residents put in our position would be equally unwilling to take that level of responsibility when we cannot be assured that all unsupervised children would be equally well behaved, or not cause injury to themselves or others. The site has a few identified risks that cannot be completely mitigated at this time and will, for the time being, require parents to assess any risks on behalf of their children.
A copy of the full risk assessment will be made available on the parish council website which residents will be able to familiarise themselves.
There is a play park built specifically for play on Harlestone Manor which we are very lucky to have in our parish and the residents of Harlestone Manor pay a sum to Greenbelt Management company each year to be maintained. In addition to this, over the next few years, Harlestone Manor Parish will have additional parks and open space facilities made available to residents, including a number football pitches, cycle paths and play park area, created through the new Bloors Development that will be built off New Sandy Lane. The Parish Council have to consider the provision of facilities for everyone who is paying a precept, and for this reason we have been careful to consider the parish as a whole, not individual estates, when plans are put together.
Parish Councillors are all volunteers who give up their free time for their local community. On average our councillors are working 15-20 hours a month for the council – this is often on top of working full-time and family commitments. We are always looking for people to join our working groups to help lighten the burden of the work. If you would like to join the Jubilee Wildlife Gardens working group or any other working group, residents are more than welcome.
Over the summer the Jubilee Wildlife Gardens Working Group will be putting on an event to share information with residents about our local wildlife and inviting people to help build insect houses, bee or butterfly hotels, bat and bird houses to help encourage and support our local wildlife.
It is hoped residents will enjoy the peaceful meadow land, take part in wildlife spotting, come picnic or just simply play in the field.
The opening hours of the Jubilee Wildlife Gardens will be as follows:
The park will open at 8am all year round.
Closing hours:
January – 4pm
February – 5pm
March – 6pm
April – 7pm
May – 8pm
June – 9pm
July – 9pm
August – 8.30pm
September – 7.30pm
October – 6pm
November – 5pm
December – 4pm
The Parish Council reserve the right to close the Jubilee Wildlife Gardens in inclement weather in line with risk assessments and the pre-planned unavailability of our volunteers.
If you would like to be a part of the Loxton Fields Public Open Space working group, please email: cllr.lucillewatts@harlestonemanorpc.org.uk or cllr.russburke@harlestonemanorpc.org.uk
