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BELCHFORD HILLS & HOLES

INTERIM REPORT

PROPOSED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE, WILDLIFE RESERVE AND NATURAL BURIAL SITE

Surveys of village residents, undertaken regularly since the late 1990’s, have consistently shown that a large majority of villagers would like to see a public open space for recreation in Belchford.

Belchford Ahead has been working for many years to raise money to buy a suitable piece of land, as well as help fund other popular local causes such as the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch, Belchford Sports & Social Club and LIVES First Responders.

In the late summer of 2009 Belchford Ahead became aware of the Village SOS competition, run jointly by BIG Lottery and the BBC.  The competition organisers were inviting entries from villages seeking funding for exciting projects, which would result in a sustainable improvement in village life.  We saw this as an opportunity to produce a very high quality space for the village, to satisfy the demand for a public space and do much for us more besides.

We only became aware of the competition a few days before the closing date for entries, so quickly produced an outline idea and plan.  To our surprise, we were successful in winning through the first stage of the competition for funding, which in November 2009 reduced the original 450 entries to 28, of which six will ultimately be chosen and funded.  Until this stage we had been under an embargo imposed by the competition rules, so unfortunately couldn’t publicise what we were doing.  Time scales remain very tight.  Our final submission, with all plans in place and a viable business plan has to be submitted for evaluation by BIG Lottery in the first week of March 2010.  

In order to be considered for the Village SOS competition, projects must show that once established they can produce sufficient income to sustain themselves and not be a drain on public funds or the community.  Therefore, the project must be capable of generating a small income to allow for maintenance and improvement.

We have identified, with the co-operation and permission of the owner, Hills and Holes, a 30 acre field on the outskirts of Belchford, as an ideal site for the public open space.  The site, which is on the Viking Way to the south of the village, is hilly and boggy in places and has not been actively farmed for many years.  

Because the site is much larger than we need for a recreational space there is a great opportunity to do much more. The main idea is to develop the site as a wildlife conservation area which is accessible to the public.  We have already consulted with wildlife experts and any changes to the site will be based on their advice.

A relatively small part would be mown to create an informal recreational space.  Much of the ground is suitable for growing trees, so suitable native species would be planted.  Some of the trees would be coppiced to both generate income from the wood produced and increase the diversity of wildlife habitats.  Other trees would be allowed to grow to maturity.  Large areas of the site, particularly the higher parts, would be left as grassland, which would be managed to suit the needs of ground-nesting birds and promote wildflowers. Some of the boggy areas would be left alone, while others would be turned into a group of shallow ponds.  This would again increase the diversity of wildlife habitat and be visually attractive.

The main source of the income needed to pay local people to maintain and develop the site would be a natural burial area.  This would be located in one corner of the site, where necessary access for funeral vehicles can be provided.

We envisage that Hills & Holes would develop into an area where school children could be taken to be taught about the natural environment.  The plans for the site include the creation of a small “open classroom”, in the form of a natural amphitheatre on one of the grassy slopes.  This could also be used for drama productions and similar events.  However, we do not envisage any loud music events that would disturb the peace and wildlife we are hoping to promote.

The maintenance of the site will require the use of a small tractor-mower and other tools.  A store for these would be incorporated in a small wooden building, which would also incorporate An information room, which would also serve as a meeting room for mourners, school groups and other users of the site.  The building would be sited in a sympathetic manner to minimise its impact on the site and will not be on the skyline.

A not for profit company would be formed to buy and manage the site.  This would be entirely separate from Belchford Ahead and all adult residents of the village would be equal shareholders in the company.  Every shareholder would be able to suggest improvements to help develop the site for the village.  Any income raised would be used solely for the maintenance and development of the site.  The management team would be elected by the shareholders.

if you have any queries in the meantime, please feel free to contact any of the following:

Peter Thompson.  Juicetrump House, Chapel Lane (01507) 533498

Jill Newby.  Bracknell Cottage, Main Road (01507 533397

Dick Black.  The Plot, Furlongs Lane (01507) 533436

John Smith.  Avoca House, Lowfields Lane (01507) 533358

BELCHFORD

“HILLS & HOLES”

PROPOSED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE, WILDLIFE RESERVE AND NATURAL BURIAL SITE