Visual study using historical images & up to date comparison shots

Transcription

1 Holmes Design Studio Landscape Architectural Services 4 Neville Road Bromborough Wirral, CH62 7JE Website: mike@holmesdesignstudio.co.uk Tel: / Mob: Prepared for The Mersey Forest Colliers Moss Common Fixed Point Photography Visual study using historical images & up to date comparison shots Page 1

2 Introduction: Visual Assessment Bold Forest Park Colliers Moss Common (formerly known as Bold Moss Common) was created on the spoil and waste from Bold Colliery and Power Station. The area (North and South sides of the railway) is now a vast open space of around 130 hectares for the enjoyment of the local community and visitors from further afield. Working with natural processes the regeneration has taken many years, resulting in an ecologically diverse mix of wildlife and fauna. Ancient moss land has been preserved around the edges of the common. This report provides a review of historical images taken of the site over a period of time, and offers a comparison to present day conditions through updated photographs taken at the same or similar fixed point locations. Also included for interest are some historical images showing the appearance of the site prior to reclamation works commencing, to offer further comparison to how the site has been improved from the barren wasteland that it had become during life as Bold Colliery and Power Station. We aim for the images set out in this way, to offer a visual report, showing change over time. Page 2

3 Area of Study: Map showing Colliers Moss Common NORTH SIDE (Section 01 Study Area) SOUTH SIDE (Section 02 Study Area) Page 3

4 History: Colliers Moss Common: A brief snapshot history: Before industrialisation came to this area of St. Helens, the site was covered with marsh peat bogs and woodland, with the local community extracting a small amount of peat The area was riddled in coal seams and in 1876 an exploratory shaft was sunk South of the site. Within four years, to meet with the demand from the increasing population of Liverpool and local industry, coal was being extracted from the seams. In 1947 the mine was nationalised and became the largest in the North West. In 1955 two changes occurred which affected the North side:- A conveyor was built over the railway and tipping of colliery spoil began and continued until Bold Power Station was built next to the colliery and the pulverised fuel ash waste was dumped until brought the miners strike which led to the political decision to close the colliery. In 1985 / 86 the pit shafts were capped and some of the buildings demolished leaving the site desolate, derelict and unused. Well known chimney demolition expert Fred Dibnah carried out the demolition job, beginning the dramatic change to the local skyline. The site was left with an 80ft spoil heap covering over 35 hectares of the North side, along with the surrounding moss land to be managed. In 1990 freehold of the North side passed from British Coal, to a local charity along with the responsibility for regenerating the site. In 1991 reclamation works began. Page 4

5 Continued With the colliery closed the North side site became an unofficial place for play and recreation. The condition of the area left much to be desired. As is evident from the photo s, the remaining buildings (South side) remained intact and working until approx Since 1991 much work was done to enhance the area, which today boasts woodland, grassland, mossland, reed beds, open water and streams, as well as formal landscaped areas on the South. The condition of the derelict site is evident in these following images (circa 1991/3) Page 5

6 Contents: Page 02: Introduction Page 03: Colliers Moss Common Map Pages 04 & 05: A brief History of the site Page 06: Contents (this page) Section 01 - Page 07: North Site Fixed Point Numbered Key Pages 08-13: Fixed Point Photography Points 01 to 06 Pages 14 & 15: General Lagoon images Pages 16-28: Fixed Point Photography Points 07 to 19 Page 29: North Focal Point Images Pages 30-52: Fixed Point Photography Points 20 to 41 Page 53: Pit Wheel Bridge Images Pages 54-55: Fixed Point Photography Points 42 to 43 Pages 56-57: Skyline alterations Section 02 - South Side Page 58: South Side Divider Page Page 59: South Site Fixed Point Numbered Key Page 60-81: Fixed Point Photography Points S01 to S21 Page 82-85: South Side - Other views Page 6

7 Section 01: Map including Numbered Fixed Points: (Red numbered arrows) Page 7

8 Fixed Point 01 View from the millennium bridge looking left Page 8

9 Fixed Point 02 View from the millennium bridge looking right Page 9

10 Fixed Point 03 View from the millennium bridge looking ahead Page 10

11 Fixed Point 04 View up the track leading to the bridge Page 11

12 Fixed Point 05 Path link off lagoon path (towards bridge) Slightly wider view at Point 05 ( ) Page 12

13 Fixed Point 06 View across lagoons Closer view across the lagoons ( ) PTO for more lagoons Images Page 13

14 General Lagoons Images View across Lagoons Fixed point 06 Date unknown Circa 2004 Lagoons at commencement of works Circa early 90 s Lagoons starting to hold water - Circa early 90 s Lagoons with early path network ongoing People unknown, early community involvement. Included to show extent of open water and lack of vegetation. Lagoons (Reeds coming through black ash) Page 14

15 General Lagoons images View across lagoons dates unknown (Circa 00 s) Page 15

16 Fixed Point 07 View from lagoon path towards Bold Housing Estate Mound (No view out from this point) Page 16

17 Fixed Point 08 Vegetation regenerating to the side of the paths No image position heavily wooded Page 17

18 Fixed Point 09 Small waterbody to side of path junction (Unable to locate water body Area Heavily Wooded) Page 18

19 Fixed Point 10 Moss area below power lines (As close to original point as we could access) Page 19

20 Fixed Point 11 Junction area of paths / hard surfaced area (estimated position) Page 20

21 Fixed Point 12 Heathland to side of paths Page 21

22 Fixed Point 13 View across to lagoons from path junction Page 22

23 Fixed Point 14 Junction at West Rushy Path Page 23

24 Fixed Point 15 View across to lagoon paths Historical image (date unknown circa early 90 s?) Closer view of flow point ( ) Closer view of flow point Page 24

25 Fixed Point 16 View towards bridge (no image) (no view out from path) Page 25

26 Fixed Point 17 View from focal point towards bridge (no view available wooded area well established) Page 26

27 Fixed Point 18 View from focal point towards Bold Hill (no view available wooded area well established) Page 27

28 Fixed Point 19 View of amphitheatre area Point 19 (wider view) ( ) (Vegetation taking hold) Page 28

29 North Focal Point Various historical images (dates unknown) Early focal point location (circa early 90 s) North focal point construction complete (circa late 90 s) (Vegetation taking hold) Page 29

30 Fixed Point 20 View from focal point towards lagoons Page 30

31 Fixed Point 21 View towards bridge (Unable to locate position / no view Area Heavily Wooded) Page 31

32 Fixed Point 22 View down path route Page 32

33 Fixed Point 23 View across heath area (approx position / view Area Heavily Wooded) Page 33

34 Fixed Point 24 View down paths towards Cement City Estate Circa Early 90 s view of works to create the path network Page 34

35 Fixed Point 25 View along mid level paths Circa Early 90 s view of works to create the path network (Paths becoming enclosed by vegetation) Page 35

36 Fixed Point 26 View along mid level path Page 36

37 Fixed Point 27 View up the path towards North focal point Page 37

38 Fixed Point 28 View across grassland to side of paths (approx position / view Area Heavily Wooded) Page 38

39 Fixed Point 29 View across rough ground to side of paths Page 39

40 Fixed Point 30 Watercourse at base of slope near Cement City Circa 90 s view of works to create the drainage ditch / watercourse (Water course through open grassed area at base of slopes) (Watercourse now enclosed within tree lined banks) Page 40

41 Fixed Point 31 Watercourse looking towards Pit Wheel Bridge (included to show open water) (Watercourse now enclosed within tree lined banks) Page 41

42 Fixed Point 32 View uphill across grass / trees developing (No image area heavily wooded) Page 42

43 Fixed Point 33 View uphill up the path network alongside woodland planting Page 43

44 Fixed Point 34 View of path junction towards woodland area (No image) Page 44

45 Fixed Point 35 View across side lagoons / black ash area Page 45

46 Fixed Point 36 View towards North focal point Page 46

47 Fixed Point 37 View towards millennium bridge (No image area not found heavily wooded views alterations to site paths??) Page 47

48 Fixed Point 38 View of bridge approach route (Area differs due to path network bridge approach routes being altered Old bike bunds reworked and paths improved) Page 48

49 Fixed Point 39 Brookway Lane Entrance Point Circa Early 90 s Circa early 90 s (slightly later after minor works to improve entrance point) (Open approaches / grassed verges note original bridge still in use) (Area feels very enclosed within encroaching vegetation) Page 49

50 Fixed Point 39a other views around same location Brookway Lane entrance point Early 90 s view view at Brookway Lane of the mosaic art entrance feature area Mosaic area in need of attention Page 50

51 Fixed Point 40 Brookway Lane Entrance Point, further back (from the roadside) Circa Early 90 s (No views / natural surveillance onto site) (Closer view ) Page 51

52 Fixed Point 41 Pit Wheel Bridge Entrance (off Bold Miners field) Early 90 s view (Prior to watercourse being formed and no bridge in place) Circa 2002/3 (date unknown) Page 52

53 Pit Wheel Bridge Images Other Historical Pit Wheel Bridge images Materials salvages from old mine workings Pit Wheel bridge manufactured from salvaged materials and lifted into place Page 53

54 Fixed Point 42 View from site towards Bold Miners Circa Early 90 s (No image no view out from the site slopes heavily wooded) Page 54

55 Fixed Point 43 View towards Brookway Lane entrance Circa Early 90 s (Houses just visible down slope in gap between trees) Page 55

56 SKYLINE Alterations Concourse Way Shops Historical image showing power station dominating the skyline (date unknown) dramatic reduction to skyline Local tree planting now well established obscuring views of shops from road Focus of streetscape altered completely Page 56

57 SKYLINE Alterations View towards Brrokway Lane Entrance. Historical Image Power station dominating the skyline (date unknown) showing site regeneration as a community open space / Nature area well established Indicates rate of tree growth/ extent of woodland Establishment. Skyline altered offering a greener vista to soften the hard streetscape Page 57

58 Section 02 South Side Page 58

59 Section 02: South Side South Side Map including Numbered Fixed Points: (Red numbered arrows) (Note all photos have the prefix S - for example arrow 01 below refers to Fixed Point S01). South Side Page 59

60 Fixed Point S01 View across circular grass space to bridge South Side Page 60

61 Fixed Point S02 Side view across circular grass space to bridge (slightly different angle of shot) South Side Page 61

62 Fixed Point S03 Looking towards Bold Hill across drainage ponds (Horseshoe marker post still visible) South Side Page 62

63 Fixed Point S04 Looking along Gallops adjacent to railway line (Railside trees have been felled / railway line has been electrified) South Side Page 63

64 Fixed Point S05 View looking back at Gallops South Side Page 64

65 Fixed Point S06 View into forestry plantations South Side Page 65

66 Fixed Point S07 View across wetland area to Willow coppice (view of brewery obscured by trees actual location of view not found) South Side Page 66

67 Fixed Point S08 View across water body to Bold Hill (Unable to locate water body area heavily wooded?) South Side Page 67

68 Fixed Point S09 View along length of South Lake Historical image (date unknown) of creation of South Side Lake (unable to approach lake edge at exact point tree growth extensive) South Side Page 68

69 Fixed Point S10 View across island at edge of South Lake (unable to approach position at exact point tree growth extensive) South Side Page 69

70 Fixed Point S11 Looking towards Burtonwood Brewery (Approx view location) South Side Page 70

71 Fixed Point S12 General view of habitat at site edge drainage ditch Approx location South Side Page 71

72 Fixed Point S13 Wetland area at end of drainage ditches No image - unable to locate point South Side Page 72

73 Fixed Point S14 Lakeside path view South Side Page 73

74 Fixed Point S15 Motorcycle track & bunds South Side Page 74

75 Fixed Point S16 View from the summit of Bold Hill (Bridge almost obscured within tree cover) South Side Page 75

76 Fixed Point S17 Looking across drainage ponds to bridge Early image date Unknown circa South Side Page 76

77 Fixed Point S18 View off housing development mound (Housing Development land works underway) (Housing development much further on) South Side Page 77

78 Fixed Point S19 Motorcycle track access point off Bold Lane South Side Page 78

79 Fixed Point S20 Main entrance into car park off Bold Lane Date unknown Circa South Side Page 79

80 Fixed Point S21 Compound & Car Park images South Side Page 80

81 Compound Area Compound & Car Park images Date Unknown Circa 2005 (Car park works completed) Date unknown Circa 2006 (Vandalism) South Side Page 81

82 Other views Bold Hill (Site development) date unknown? (View of Bold Hill from the adjacent FC site) (View to Bold Hill from the newly refurbished paths) South Side Page 82

83 Other views Pit Wheel Features (Pit wheel feature near car park entrance) (Full wheel feature at main entrance point) South Side Page 83

84 Other views The Railway (Train under Millennium Bridge Viewed From Gallops) (Train under Millennium Bridge Viewed From Gallops) South Side Page 84

85 Other views The Millennium Bridge Early bridge view Date unknown Circa 2000 s? South Side Page 85