Tree works herald start of park's development
16 February 2010
Works begin this week to kick off the transformation of a run down boating lake in Northampton.
The Environment Agency are starting work on the Becket's Park boating lake site today (Tuesday, 16 February) to help prepare for phase one of the Becket's Park Partnership's Vision - part of the Becket's Park Masterplan.
The Environment Agency has had a specialist tree survey carried out at Becket's Park and found that a large number of trees were rotten or posed a safety risk because of their location or growth. Some trees will also need to be removed to reduce crowding and allow specimen trees to grow to their full potential. Approximately 12 will be felled to make way for the development, including the river entrance and facilities building for the new marina.
A landscaping plan for the site is currently being developed which, it is anticipated, will see around 100 shrubs and trees replanted on the site. In addition, trees including English oak and beech as well as around 75 hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple, dogwood, guelder rose, hazel and crab apple are being given to the Wildlife Trust. These will be planted by the Trust at various locations to compensate for the ones being lost at Becket's Park.
Bird boxes attached to trees which are to be felled will be relocated to adjacent trees. A pre-construction bat survey has also been carried out by a licensed bat ecologist. This found no evidence of the protected species or their roosts in the trees.
Phase one of the Becket's park project will see a marina created on the site, with 80 moorings and new habitat formed to benefit wildlife. In addition, the project is supporting the enhancement of nearby wildlife site Abington Meadows, which will be managed by the Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust.
Environment Agency Waterways Engineer Paul Arnold is project manager for the scheme. He said: "The removal of the trees is a necessary part of the marina development. Most of the trees being felled are in poor condition or pose a risk to people and their removal is good tree management. New habitats, including trees and shrubs, will be created to enhance the wildlife value of the site during the landscaping phase of the project.
"The marina project is an exciting scheme which will regenerate this area of Northampton. It will significantly increase the numbers of boats travelling to and staying in Northampton and will encourage people to see the waterfront as an attractive and appealing destination."
The Northampton Marina Project is being undertaken by the Becket's Park Partnership. The Partnership is made up of the Environment Agency, Northampton Borough Council, the River Nene Regional Park and Northamptonshire County Council.
The marina is being funded by the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, Northamptonshire County Council and the Environment Agency with support from Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited.
The marina will provide 80 mooring berths within easy reach of the town centre. It is expected that the moorings will attract boaters using the Grand Union Canal to travel towards the Fens of East Anglia.
