New park brings some ‘green’ to an urban area

Pendle Borough Council received funding following a successful bid to the Department of Housing Communities and Local Government (DHCLG) for a project to create or significantly improve a park in a dense urban area.

Netherfield Road was identified as suitable for the funding based on population demographics and urban density.

It was a perfect area to develop a new park as it lacked tree cover, was on a key gateway into Nelson and could deliver what was needed from the project.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “This is great news that, with Government funding, we have been able to create this beautiful green space in this residential area so close to the town centre.

“Parks have an important social function to bring people together and to act as a focus for community life.

“These kinds of public spaces provide a variety of activities and encourage social interaction which helps with people’s health and well-being.”

The Council’s Green Spaces Team worked with a local landscape architect to design the open space, considering the adjoining sheltered housing, nearby terraced housing with many young families and the volume of traffic.

The design - which took into account the public’s views following a consultation – is based on a refurbishment of the existing infrastructure, incorporating a natural themed park with boulders, logs, wildflowers, trees, a snaking stone path and new seating.

Raised beds have also been installed for fruit, vegetables and flowers to be grown by, and for the use of the local community.

An outdoor table tennis table has also been included.

Phil Riley, Pendle Borough Council’s Green Spaces Manager, added: “In October there will be a community volunteering event to plant over 2,000 bulbs to bring some colour to the park for spring 2025. There will also be a separate event for local schools and youth groups to help with the planting scheme. 

“We would also like to start a new friends group to help us look after and develop the new park further.”

Councillor Zafar Ali, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, added: “The past few years have only reiterated the importance of being able to access the outdoors and be in green space to look after our mental and physical well-being.

“For many, urban green spaces are the main connection to our natural world, but they also provide an important community identity.”