Tourism Leisure and Parking

Bradgate Park and Swithland Woods

Bradgate Park is not only Newtown Linford’s most important tourism and leisure facility, but also one of the country’s premier attractions. It is also a much loved and cherished natural resource, with very strong support from villagers for activities concerned with greater conservation and wild life encouragement. Villagers’ affection for the Park and desire to support it is shown by their strong support for the establishment of a ‘Friends’ group to strengthen liason with the Park trustees.

How often does your household visit Bradgate Park and Swithland Woods?

300 people replied to these questions. Villagers make much more use of the Park than of the woods. Half of those who replied visit the park at least weekly compared to 10% who make use of the woods on a weekly basis. Only 2% never visit the Park, compared to 11% who never visit the woods. In total, 7 in 10 village households are at least monthly visitors to the Park but only just over 2 in 10 visit the Woods at least once a month. However, households living on Bradgate Road, Bracken Hill and Lady Jane Park are significantly more likely to use the Park and Woods than households living on Ulverscroft Lane, Craven’s Rough, Priory Lane and Benscliffe Road. Families with children are significantly more likely than are other households to visit the Park and Woods on a weekly basis. Households without children are more likely to say they visit the park and woods ‘occasionally’

What extra activities and provisions would you like to see?

The most popular future development in both Park and Woods would be greater emphasis on conservation and encouraging wildlife. For Bradgate Park, ‘more conservation activities’ was twice as popular as the next most favoured choice of more educational activities, such as history talks. That response was three times greater for Swithland Woods. Villagers, especially those in older age groups, expressed a strong desire for better facilities for people with a disability, especially in Bradgate Park where more than a fifth of responding households wanted better access and toilet facilities. The least popular further development was an increase in events and promotions. Just over 1 in 9 households approved of this for the Park and just over 1 in 25 for Swithland Woods. However, families with children were more likely to support educational activities and special events in the Park.

Are you aware of the Bradgate Park Trust's future Plans? Would you like regular information about its activities? Would you support the establishment of a 'Friends of Bradgate Park'?

88% of the 256 households who responded would like more information about the Trusts plans for the future of Bradgate Park and its other resources. Perhaps this result is explained by the 86% (of 264) households who replied that they are not aware of the Trusts Plans. Many people would like to support the Park in its developments; 75% (out of 230) of village households support the establishment of a friends group.

Parking: would you like to see extra permanent car parking at Bradgate Park/ regular traffic warden patrols/parish exemption for charges/payment through council tax?

With such a large leisure resource in the heat of the village, Bradgate Park has always been connected to some problems of traffic and parking. Villagers are divided about whether extra permanent car parking would help these problems. While 42 of the 232 households who replied are in favour, 58% are against further parking facilities. There is much more support for better management of the parking facilities we currently have. 69% of the 226 households who responded are in favour of regular traffic warden patrols. To help villagers make better use of the Park, 76% (of the 260 total) would like to see a village/Parish exemption for charges for Bradgate Park. However, villagers are divided on whether Council Tax should be raised to pay for an exemption, with 43% in favour and 47% against this solution (237 replies in total). It matters where you live: people on Main Street, Markfield Lane and Ulverscroft Lane are more willing to pay for a Parish exemption than people in other parts of Newtown Linford.

Does you house use the Recreation ground near Grey Crescent?

This is the only leisure facility specifically for children and it is also used by the village Primary School, which has few outdoor sports facilities of its own. However, it is the least used leisure facility in the village. Of the 279 households who responded to this question, only 9% use this resource. Those least likely to use it are those living furthest away (Markfield Lane from John’s Lee wood to Field Head and Leicester Road) who perhaps have access to nearer facilities. Those most likely to use it live close by on Grey Crescent.

Many people (207) amplified their answer, mostly be explaining why they did not use the Recreation Ground. 34 households did not know of its existence. It is not visible form Main Street and it quite distant from other parts of the village. A large number of people commented on this and on its isolation and consequent lack of access and safety. The next most common comment was that the household had no young children. However, most of those who did know of the grounds existence were very dissatisfied with its maintenance and facilities. Commonly made comments included uneven rough ground, poor and perceived unsafe equipment (though this is checked every year by the relevant authorities), dog fouling, dirt and generally poor standards. Although a few people felt that the are would be satisfactory if it were properly maintained, there was not one positive comment about the ground in its present condition. (See also youth section)

Would you support the creation of a new recreational facility on land at the rear of the cemetery?

Villagers are divided on this issue. Of the 228 responses 58% of households were in favour and 42% against. Of course a new facility in this location would not overcome issues of isolation and access for many parts of the village. Other concerns about re-siting the children’s playground included possible disturbance to the cemetery and its atmosphere and the lack of parking and of a complete footpath on Groby Lane. A few people were concerned about the use that might be made of the current play space if the facilities were re-sited – for example if building took place on it. The most common preferred site was next to the current tennis court or in place of the current tennis courts which respondents felt could be re-sited. The most popular additional facilities were bowls (and boules) and sports facilities for football and rugby in addition to Tennis (see also the views of young people)

What would most improve the quality of life in the Parish?

Villagers appreciate the beauty of their environment and their quality of life in a conservation village. They want to maintain and support its rural and peaceful character, To enhance its appearance some people would like to see more flowers and welcome signs at the entrances to the village. One person thought that it would be a good idea to have a village ‘Show’ on the cricket ground. most comments were not surprising. An overwhelming number of people want to see improvements to traffic and Parking. Speeding, noise, ‘through’ traffic, Park traffic – especially at weekends – and related parking problems, were the most mentioned damage to quality of life. Villagers were most concerned about the inconvenience of parking arrangements on Main Street and Groby Lane, but felt that the most dangerous parking was that by Marion’s Cottage.

Respondents would like to see a better bus service and restrictions on traffic through the village. As one person put it, the thing that would most improve quality of life in our village would be horse drawn traffic! People would like to see parking restrictions for visitors and a number of people thought the solution was to restrict the number of visitors to the Park outside the village centre.

Other comments on what would improve the quality of life included better facilities for children and young people, better or more shops, a ‘village’ pub, a more visible Police presence and resident Clergy for the Parish Church.

However the two most common comments after those concerned with traffic and parking concerned: firstly, community spirit, limits to building and urbanisation and better street maintenance. Some people said that the Roecliffe Road area should be better integrated into village life and it to has traffic problems, especially speeding. There is a desire for more communication between people and about village events and village groups.

Have you any other comments about tourism, leisure and Parking?

People’s final and overall comments on the tourism and leisure activities in the village were strongly concerned with the same things they believe damage the quality of life – traffic, parking and the continuing ‘commercialisation’ of Bradgate Park and Swithland Woods. Some clearly believe that the benefits of living close to the Park and Woods no longer outweigh the costs. Whilst one person commented that the Park contributes to the Village economy, another comment was that only commercial interests benefit whilst villagers pay the price in noise,speed, litter, yellow lines, parking problems and the behaviour of some visitors. There is a strong opinion that the Park Trustees need to take more account of the effect of their decisions on village life.

Villagers proposed various changes to traffic and parking arrangements and access points to the park. Many want more communication and consultation with and from the Park Trustees.

Recommendations

- Parish Council to investigate Parish exemption from parking charges in Bradgate Car Parks and designated car parking for disabled people.

- Parish Council/ Bradgate Park Trust to promote the formation of a friends group from Parish residents interested in promoting a better understanding between the Parish and Bradgate Park Trust.

- The Police should enforce Parking restrictions using Traffic Wardens, especially at weekends and during public holidays.

- Bradgate Park Trust should be encouraged to create a good neighbour approach, to understand the impact on the host village when making decisions and to give more information on Trust plans for the future.

- Parish Council/County Council to consider residents parking only, especially near to entrance to Bradgate Park, Groby Lane/Main Street,Bradgate Road/Marions Cottage. Compare with other ‘Honey Pot’ areas with a view to improving parking problems outlined in report.

- Parish Council/County Council to consider a reduction in the speed limit to 30 mph along Bradgate Road and 20 mph past Park entrances and school. Also improvement needed around Warren Hill/Roecliffe Road and installation of more traffic management schemes throughout the Parish.

- Parish Council to consider the results of the survey regarding under-use of the Grey Crescent Recreation ground and to decide whether this facility can ever be worthwhile. To consider the need for professional advice and Benchmarking of other village facilities.

- Parish Council to carry out further investigation of Groby Lane site for a replacement recreation ground in view of survey results. Also to consider alternative sites nearer to village centre.