16-10-2024 The Farthings Community Group – meeting #2

The Farthings Community Group – Meeting #2

14 October 2024 at 7.30pm in the Margaret Preston Room, Wreningham Village Hall

Aim: To continue the process of the community planning the future of The Farthings

Objectives:

  1. Review consolidated inputs/ideas submitted following from meeting #1.
  2. Consider practicalities/maintenance/costs /resources etc.
  3. Consider and Categorise ideas:
  • probables – are workable, and with characteristics fitting The Farthings
  • possibles – need further work – not quite a match for The Farthings
  • maybes – longer term / dependencies
  • sorry-but-no – with difficult characteristics / no benefit

Meeting notes:

Input Documents:

  • A4 plan of site
  • Collated list of projects/ideas (Farthings projects list.xlsx)

Review of inputs

Those attending took each set of ideas in turn and discussed them and then agreed a category for each:

ProjectDiscussion?S106 Action?Comment
Miyawaki Forest plantingHas merit; environmental benefit; visual benefit; needs community work to plant and care for. Need to have fencing take advice from existing plantingsKeepPrepare site for plantingJean L to explore further Examples exists in and around the county – see Norwich Fringe Project at Heartsease park (?)
Community orchardHas merit; environmental benefit;KeepNoneCould have a variety of fruits – apples, pears; plums…
Sense gardenvisual/scent/tactile/aural benefits; community design; planting and managingKeepNoneRosie T has direct experience of such gardens
AmphitheatreAdds a topological feature; multi-uses; (school children 1 user)keepUse spoil to create and buildNeed to design – size; style; location Note vital to contact school on planned use or expectations. Also to know how they will manage the children when on site
Community AllotmentsToo many issues with ascetic; no sheds allowed; no obvious needRejectn/an/a
Pond enhancementFlora: Community design and planting Advice to be obtained (contact Rachael Long re pond experts)KeepFWP already committed to create 2 new ponds and modify existing pondFauna: not discussed
Willow TunnelCommunity design, planting, location, managementKeepNoneCould use other plants to create other tunnels – such as roses; honeysuckle; etc. Note would need protecting until well established
Bird & other fauna enhancementsCommunity consideration ad plan; Some will be placed by FWPKeepS106 (see house planning details too)Consider existing bats – no new lights in field; minimise impact on them.
Log collections / pilesTo provide habitat for insects and small mammals; consider where to be located – probably by boundary hedge; environment benefit additionKeep
Suggested in the SNC environmental comments
Other pondsNew ponds created by FWP – merge with above as general pond enhancementKeep / mergeProvided for in S106?
Publicity / CommunicationsNeed – but must manage currently local comms for villageKeepNoneConsider carefully how to communicate and penetration into other communities
Opening ceremony projectkeep it local – villagers only? Not until Spring 2026Keep?None (although FWP have offered to do signage based on WPC submitted design (thinking there was school competition)Consider carefully how to communicate and penetration into other communities
School projectNeed to engage with school to establish their thoughts on use of the site.KeepNoneTiming – after transfer to WPC ownership. Plenty of time to consider?
Monitoring projectOn-going need to monitor performance for benefits (environmental and community)KeepRequest baseline to be used by SNC and English NatureWill need careful planning and regular activities to collect data
Sponsorship projectObtaining additional funding will be an issue; need planning and resourcing New projects will be funded by the community.KeepS106/Commuted sum
WPC to manage commuted sum and fund maintenance of site, and structures
Exercise circuitConsidered that the pathways should be sufficient without having an extra track in place. Little support within the teamRejectNone
Picnic areaWorried that purpose built picnic area could be detrimental to the siteRejectNoneThis implies solid surface of some type (concrete, flagstones). WPC do not wish construction on the site
Field Meadow[Omitted from first version!] One of the main areas within the site – Rachael Long onside for supply of seed.KeepStrip topsoil as preparation – other work?Andrew Moore will advise and lead this project. Need to manage cutting and removal of hay.
Boundary Hedge (south side)Recognised that there are very particular issues to be addressed with the Church Road residentsNew / KeepPossible S106 actions – direct FWP how to plant out the hedgeNote WPC expect to maintain a boundary around the whole site with just 4 entrances: Church Road / Footpath 5/ Hethel Road / new Hethel Road footpath
Path definitionThis structure is key to pulling together the whole site; enabling access to certain part (e.g. ponds); allowing mobility (2m width in places / overall?) hence a separate project needed to feed into the draft S106New/KeepYes – revision to draft proposalTo enable all to enjoy this space need to include those with mobility issues

Other points from the discussions:

  1. Ask FWP about plot 4 ownership – It will impact definition of the boundary hedge and nature of access if not owned by a resident.
  2. All of the ideas/projects above are currently without definition of
  • a location – attendees are asked to consider suggestions for placement
  • size – what is a workable size for those which can be varied?
  • sequence – which should happen first; which should then follow?
  1. Bridges – note that access is required for the vehicle (tractor) to cut hedges / trees in western half of site – wider bridge? Ask FWP for ideas.
  2. Definition of acceptable User – what is to be included and what excluded – set of rules needed to be formalised before transfer (e.g. no motor vehicles, except for motorised wheelchairs, say)
  3. French drain on southern boundary – not clear on the maps – ask FWP for details of positioning and reach [note the drainage engineer is currently designing the system for the site].
  4. Drainage of southwestern corner (by PF5) – often boggy – this has been raised with FWP and they will ensure the drainage design addressed this too.
  5. Drainage regulator in Southwest corner – need plans to be transferred to WPC. Request from FWP maintenance schedule and regime
  6. Anticipated that FWP will monitor progress on whole site – keeping photographic evidence of work done, etc. Discuss with them including appropriately positioned (no incursion into residential space) recordings of The Farthings as part of our local heritage records. [David Kirk is happy to discuss directly].
  7. Signage – what has been FWP’s proposals?

Attendees were asked to

  • consider further the results of their deliberations
  • keep up with suggesting other uses of The Farthings
  • communicate this process with neighbours and friends in the village
  • encourage same to offer their services, interest, and involvement
  • consider the timetable for this
    • Draft S106 needs to be revised and passed to FWP for their review
    • Site work may possible start in January 2025
    • The Farthings ready for transfer to WPC around Autumn 2026
    • FWP to complete work on site in 2026 Q1/Q2
    • FWP warranty for The Farthings S106 works lasts 1 year from transfer.

The Third meeting is scheduled for the 21st October 2024.