Fishwick Phase 2/3 – Local Nature Reserve, Preston
Site Description
The Fishwick, Phase 2/3 site is located at the southern edge of the city of Preston in the Fishwick Ward. The site is crescent shaped and covers an area of approximately 24ha on and adjacent to Common Bank which is a natural escarpment overlooking the flood plain of the River Ribble. The northern boundary of the site is occupied by industrial and residential properties of Brockholes View, Fishwick View and Walton View. The woodland on Watery Lane forms the main eastern boundary of the site. Farm land bounds the site to the south and the Fishwick Phase 1 site, London Road Recreation Ground lies adjacent to the site to the west.
The natural escarpment of the site is mainly woodland and shrubs, whilst the floodplain area is part scrub, swamp, grassland and wildflower meadow. Structures within the site include an infilled reservoir and dam, a derelict model car racing track, a redundant pipeline and a culvert. Access to the site is poor with an existing stepped pedestrian access from Brockholes View and limited access from London Road and Fishwick Bottoms.
Grid Reference: 355359 429296
Size: 24ha
Site Boundary
View the Site
Boundary 
(size 758kb)
Current Status
The site is currently derelict, under-used and neglected with poor public access. Two areas of the site (Fishwick Terrace Swamp / Throslock Wood) are designated as Biological Heritage Sites (BHS), because they contain important vegetation and wildlife. However, existing habitats are under threat from encroaching scrub vegetation, non-native-species and also from invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed. Many of the older trees within the site are in need of management. Derelict structures within the site include a model racing car circuit, a former dam and a culvert and these are potential threats to health and safety. In the mid 1980’s, methane gas being formed from the decomposition of waste was found to be escaping from the former Melling’s Tip. To control the gas a venting system and monitoring boreholes were put in place. Despite its poor accessiblity, trodden paths have been formed within the site by people gaining access for recreation and dog walking. There is also evidence of anti-social behaviour including fly-tipping and solvent abuse.
Previous Use
The site can be divided into 5 distinct areas – Fishwick Bottoms, Common Bank escarpement, Fishwick Terrace Swamp and Throslock Wood / Reservoir and Former Allotments.
Land within Fishwick Bottoms (adjacent to the Phase 1 site) was used for waste tipping prior to being restored as a wildflower meadow. Land at the foot of the Common Bank escarpment has previously been developed as a whippet track, scrap yard and model racing car circuit.
Development on and around the Common Bank escarpment and embankment has included mills, mill filter beds, gasworks, brick works and boiler ash tipping. From 1950 the site was owned by Mellings Tipping Ltd and was used for ash winning and waste disposal which included construction and chemical waste disposal. In 1964 a landslip occurred leading to stability fears. In the late 1970’s Preston Borough Council purchased and restored the site and planted trees and grass.
Fishwick Terrace swamp is the remnant of a former river channel and is fed by a number of springs from the Common Bank escarpment. Previous use has included a market garden and watercress beds. During the 1964 landslip, drainage to the area was disrupted allowing the site to revert to its natural condition. During major heavy floods the swamp is reactivated as a secondary channel for the River Ribble.
The steeply sided area of Throslock Wood is recorded on 1849 maps. Throslock Reservoir was created in the early 1900’s through the building of an embankment and a dam to contain a small stream. By 1965 the reservoir had been infilled, but the dam still remains on site now. To the south of the reservoir an area of land is marked on maps as Allotment Gardens. This use was evident in the 1930’s but the site is now vacant. Orginally the land appears to have been used as overgrown rough pasture, prior to development in the late 1800’s as a clay pit.
Proposed Use
The Phase 2/3 Fishwick Site is proposed to be managed as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). As an LNR the site will be managed for use by both people and wildlife. The site will offer an opportunity for people to study and learn about nature as well as enjoy it. There are over 1,000 LNRs in England including former landfill sites like Fishwick. LNRs make an important contribution to biodiversity.
Wildlife management of the site will involve woodland management, protection of veteran trees, scrub removal and removal of invasive species like Japanese Knotweed. Where necessary new planting will be introduced to enhance habitats and encourage biodiversity. A wetland area is proposed for the Fishwick Terrace Swamp area. Other measures to enhance the wildlife habitat will include the introduction of bat boxes and improvements to drainage ditches to encourage water vole habitats.
The management of the site as an LNR will also involve the opening up of the site for public access. New pathways into the site are proposed which will allow access into the site from most directions. Existing access points include steps from Brockholes View and informal access from Fishwick Bottoms. Trodden paths have been created into the site from Walton View and Watery Lane. The exact route of the new pathways will be subject to public consultation and ecological advice.
A thorough investigation of the site has taken place to identify possible contamination from past uses, to ensure that the site is safe for users and is not causing pollution.
Other aspects of the proposals include the commissioning of survey work to assess existing site structures (former reservoir dam, culverts and drains). Any existing fly-tipping on the site will be cleared and measures will be introduced to prevent further tipping including boundary fences and bollards where appropriate. Access points will include barriers to restrict access by motorbikes. It is anticipated that the site will be actively managed by a Park Ranger. The Ranger will be responsible for making the most of the site for both people and wildlife and will co-ordinate maintenance of the site and activities within it.
Proposals for the site which affect land in private ownership are subject to negotiations with landowners. Existing rights of access will be maintained.
Aerial Photo
View an Aerial
Photo of the site. (size 344kb)
Design and Consultation
An initial design for the proposed Local Nature Reserve and adjacent land to the east of the site was produced by Preston City Council in December 2003 following initial results from site surveys. The design was drawn up in consultation with key stakeholders including the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and REMADE.
During December 2004 and January 2005 a public exhibition exercise was undertaken by consultants as part of the production of a management plan for the site. The results of the public consultation indicated a favourable response (by over 50% of respondents) to the proposed site improvements. People were strongly in favour (over 90%) of proposals that protect wildlife, deter motorcycles and remove rubbish. People also supported (70-80%) plans to improve paths and entrances, manage the woodland and improve the range of sports facilities. Respondents were uncertain about the introduction of additional car parking and additional entrances.
As a result of further surveys and initial landowner and public consultation, the site boundary has been amended. A revised design has recently been produced by Preston City Council and has been distributed to local stakeholders and interested parties.
View the Consultation
Plan of the site. (size
1.8mb)
Public consultation drop-in exhibitions organised by Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Preston City Council were held on Tuesday 11 October 2005 at the YMCA (Samuel Street, Preston) and on Wednesday 12 October 2005 at the Sahara Centre, 48 Fishwick Parade. Initial results of the public consultation show that the majority of people remain in favour of the proposals to tidy up the site and manage the site as a Local Nature Reserve.
A Community Steering Group was formed in December 2005 and includes 4 representatives from the local community. At the Steering Group meetings, members of the project team update the community representatives on how the project is progressing. The community representatives are able to provide ideas and give their views on the developing proposals for the Local Nature Reserve.
Public consultation for the Phase 3 site was organsied and managed by Lancashire Wildlife Trust during July and August 2006. Consultation included activities with local schools and evening drop in sessions at the YMCA. A site visit took place on Saturday 12 August 2006.
Constraints and opportunities for the Phase 3 site are shown on the following illustrations:
Further consultation on outline design options for the site will take place in the New Year.
Phase 2 Planning Application
A planning application for the works to create a local nature reserve on the phase 2 site was submitted in April 2006. The application was granted planning permission with conditions attached on 13 June 2006. The application drawings are produced here in pdf format.
Layout Drawings
- General Plan (size 1.7mb)
- Woodland and Hedgerow Management Plan (size 1.4mb)
- Car Park Improvements adjacent to River Ribble (size 0.3mb)
- General Site Clearance and Preparation (size 1.3mb)
- Wetland Area (size 0.4mb)
- Location Plan (size 2.0mb)
Construction Detail
- Timber Field Gate (size 0.1mb)
- Post and Rail Timber Fence (size 0.1mb)
- Timber Stile (size 0.1mb)
- Bridle Gate (size 0.1mb)
- Stockproof Fence (size 0.2mb)
- Timber Steps (size 0.3mb)
- Timber Bridge (size 0.3mb)
- Bound Gravel Surface / Mown Ride and Edging (size 0.3mb)
- Metal Railings (size 0.1mb)
- Low Metal Trip Rail (size 0.1mb)
- Metal Railing Entrance Detail (size 0.1mb)
- Metal Post and Rail Fencing (size 0.1mb)
- Maintenance Gate (size 0.3mb)
- RADAR access gate and stile – Type A (size 0.2mb)
- RADAR Access Gate and Stile (size 0.3mb)
- Entrance A – Fishwick Bottoms, adjacent to Car Park (size 0.1mb)
- Entrance B and E – Car Park at London Road and Fishwick Bottoms (size 0.1mb)
- Entrance C – Brockholes View (size 0.1mb)
- Entrance D – Ashleigh Street (size 0.1mb)
Phase 3 Work-in-Progress
- Further survey work is being commissioned as required.
- Additional funding sources are being considered and applications will be made.
- Outline design options will be subject to further public consultation in the New Year prior to an application for planning permission being submitted to Preston City Council.
A Big Clean Up day took place on Sunday 17th September 2007. The day was organised by ITV and Community Service volunteers (CSV) as part of a national campaign. Supporters of the Fishwick Big Clean Up included Lancashire County Council, Preston City Council and local businesses. The day was a big success with approximately 100 volunteers helping to clean up a large amount of litter and flytipping within the Phase 2 site.
Phase 2 - Work has now been completed and the site is now fully open to the public. An opening event took place on Friday 5th October 2007 after the raising of the Green Flag on Phase 1. The site was officially opened by the Mayor of Preston and a guided walk was conducted by Terry Blackburn, the park ranger.
Phase 3 - Design work is now underway for the extension of the Local Nature Reserve into the Phase 3 Fishwick site.
Panorama
Below is a panorama of the wetland area in the Nature Reserve. This was taken on the same day as the official opening, Friday 5th October. In the distance you can see the potential phase 3 land.
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