Management Plan for Firth Park - MP4-Interreg

Firth Heritage Park Sheffield
Green Flag Management Plan
2008 – 2012
FIRTH HERITAGE PARK, SHEFFIELD
GREEN FLAG MANAGEMENT
& MAINTENANCE PLAN 2009
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PART A - MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE PLAN
A1. INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRTH HERITAGE PARK
MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE PLAN
A1.1 PREVIOUS PLANS
A1.2 PURPOSE OF MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PLAN.
A1.3 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN PREPARING THIS PLAN
A1.4 MEMBER / SENIOR OFFICER SUPPORTING STATEMENT
A2. SITE DESCRIPTION / EXISTING PARK
A2.1 SITE STATISTICS
A2.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A2.3 SITE DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
A2.4 TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOOLOGY
A2.5 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER
A2.6 HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
A2.7 HISTORY CRONOLOGY
A2.8 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT
A2.9 FACILITIES & FEATURES
A2.10 OWNERSHIP
A2.11 STATUS, FORMAL DESIGNATIONS & CONSTRAINTS
A2.12 USE OF THE SITE
A2.13 CULTURAL & AESTHETIC VALUE
A2.14 CURRENT STAKEHOLDERS
A2.15 ACCESS & BARRIERS TO USE
A2.16 STAFF & MAINTENANCE
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A3. POLICY CONTEXT
A3.1 SITE CATEGORISATION STRATEGY
A3.2 PARKS REGENERATION STRATEGY
A3.3 SHEFFIELD’S ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY
A3.4 LOCAL AGENDA 21
A3.5 UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (UDP)
A3.6 HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT
A3.7 BYELAWS
A4. VISION
A5. AIMS & OBJECTIVES
A5.1 CREATING A WELCOMING PLACE
A5.2 A CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED SITE
A5.3 TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION AND HERITAGE
OF FIRTH HERITAGE PARK
A5.4 MARKET THE SITE APPROPRIATELY TO INCREASE AWARENESS
AND USAGE
A5.5 ENSURE A HEALTHY, SAFE AND SECURE SITE FOR RECREATION
A5.6 TO MANAGE THE SITE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE POLICIES
A5.7 TO MAXIMISE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF
FIRTH HERITAGE PARK
A5.8 TO ENSURE THAT FIRTH HERITAGE PARK IS EFFECTIVELY
MANAGED
A6. MANAGEMENT
A7. MAINTENANCE
A8. MARKETING & PROMOTION
A9. FINANCE & RESOURCES
A10. MONITORING & REVIEW
A11. FUTURE LONG TERM PROPOSALS FOR THE PARK
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PART B. ANNUAL APPENDICES
B1. ANNUAL STAFF & CONTACTS LISTS
B2. GREEN FLAG POSITION STATEMENT
B2.1 PRESENTATION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
B2.2 HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY (including Risk Assessments)
B2.3 MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT BUILDINGS AND LANDSCAPE
B2.4 LITTER, CLEANLINESS AND VANDALISM
B2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
B2.6 CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE & NATURE
B2.7 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
B2.8 MARKETING
B2.9 OVERALL MANAGEMENT
B3. ANNUAL MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN
B4. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE PLAN
B5. ANNUAL BUDGET PLAN
B6
ANNUAL MARKETING & PROMOTION
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PART C. - APPENDICES SITE RELATED
C1
C2
BAND A REPORT
FIRTH PARK MASTER PLAN
C3 SITE RISK ASSESSMENT
C4 BARRIERS TO USE AUDIT
C5 FIRTH HERITAGE PARK ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
C6 MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
C7 FIRTH HERITAGE PARK ECOLOGICAL REPORT
(Appendices will be available on site for inspection during the site visit)
PART D. - SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL APPENDICES
Website Link To Part D Appendices
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
DEL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
BYELAWS
SAFE REMOVAL OF NEEDLES AND SYRINGES
SCC ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
SCC USE OF PESTICIDE POLICY
SCC USE OF PEAT POLICY
SCC EVENTS SECTION AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
CORPORATE FEEDBACK LEAFLET – TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
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FIRTH HERITAGE PARK,
SHEFFIELD
GREEN FLAG MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE
PLAN
PART A - MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE PLAN
A1. INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRTH HERITAGE PARK
MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE PLAN
The Managers of
Firth Heritage Park
Sheffield City Council
Parks and Countryside Service
Date of Preparation October 2008
Date of Approval & Adoption
November2008
Date of Last Review October 2007
Date of Next Review November 2009
A1.1 PREVIOUS PLANS
The site is owned by Sheffield City Council and is managed by the Parks and Countryside
Service. This management plan for the park as been developed from work carried out in
developing a ‘Heritage Lottery Fund bid for the park in 2004 and the successful Green
Flag application in 2008.
A1.2 PURPOSE AND PRESENTATION OF MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE PLAN
The purpose of this Plan is:
• Support & contribute to the aims & objectives for managing & maintaining this site
• To monitor improvements to site management & customer service in accordance with
the Green Flag criteria
It is a dynamic document that guides the site manager and all those involved in achieving
the vision for the site.
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A1.3 THOSE INVOLVED IN PREPARING THIS PLAN
The production of this plan, has involved consultation activities from individual discussions
to workshops. Some workshops involved representatives from all sections of Parks and
Countryside, DEL Premises and Assets and other SCC officers, whilst others incorporated
the Friends of Firth Heritage Park, First start Centre partners and the general public.
Parks and Countryside staff have used on going consultation to compile the final
management plan for the park.
A1.4 MEMBER/SENIOR OFFICER SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Sheffield has developed a well-established infrastructure of Area Panels, engaging all of
the city's 84 Councillors in 12 corporate areas. The Panels are an integral part of the
Council's political management structure and are at the heart of the Council’s aim to create
a network of quality green spaces throughout the city.
Parks and Countryside Area Action Plans have been developed by each of the city’s 12
Area Panels, and each Panel has identified the priority themes and green space sites in
their area for development and regeneration when opportunities arise.
Firth Heritage Park features as a priority site within the Brightside and Shiregreen local
area action plan. Further information and downloads are available on our website at:
www.sheffield.gov.uk/environment
Figure 1.Firth Heritage Park Main Entrance
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A2. SITE DESCRIPTION / EXISTING PARK
A2.1 SITE STATISTICS
Name of Site:
Address:
Location:
FIRTH HERITAGE PARK
Firth Park Road Sheffield, S5 6QQ
5 kilometres north – east of the City Centre
Grid ref: SK 4368 3910
Size of whole site:
Site Owner
Site Management:
Designations
Constraints:
15.20 hectares
Sheffield City Council SCC
Sheffield City Council SCC
Parks and Countryside Service
a) The Park is on the English Heritage Register of Parks and
Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
b) Parks and Countryside Service listed as a City Park and
Heritage Site.
c) Locally listed on the UDP Schedule of Historic Parks
a) Sheffield City Council Byelaws with respect to Pleasure
Grounds (see Part D –D3)
b) Contracts with HLF and other major funding organisations.
A2.2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This management plan for Firth Heritage Park is to be implemented to contribute towards
the strategic and service objectives out lined and provide a comprehensive approach to
the management, maintenance and future development of the park. The plan has been
designed to meet the criteria needed for a Green Flag Award submission and to act as a
catalyst to continue to be a place for social gatherings, recreation and community use as
originally intended when the park was initially provided to the local community. The plan
will be reviewed each year and will be amended to reflect any changes in council policy
and legal requirements and to enable feedback from public consultation
Firth Park is one of Sheffield’s oldest and most important historic parks. This Management
plan has been established to ensure that the parks historical landscape is protected and
managed whilst meeting the modern day needs of the local community. The plan provides
an in depth review of features and facilities and sets out policies and actions which will
manage this valuable community resource for the local area The Friends of Firth park will
be at the corner stone of the Parks development to ensure that the legacy of Mark Firth is
preserved for the people of Sheffield.
The park has developed significantly since 2000 assisted by the Friends of Firth Park,
working with Officers from Sheffield City Council’s Parks and Countryside Service and
have secured a series of external funding bids to carry out a number of surveys and
develop feasibilities Studies for the park. The external funding allowed work to looked at
the historical development of the park in more detail, carry out additional surveys and
analysis of the site, its context, site management and activities, and local consultation with
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park users to see how they would like to see the Park improved and look at the
opportunities to regenerate facilities within the park.
Fig 2... Spring View of Vivian Road area of the Park
In December 2002, consultants were appointed by the Friends of Firth Park, supported by
Sheffield City Council, to take this work forward and produce a Master plan for the
regeneration of Firth Park. The brief was to explore and develop the ideas in earlier work
in order to regenerate the Park to better provide for the needs of the surrounding
community. The Master planning process was carried out in consultation with key
stakeholders and developed a comprehensive set of proposals. This work has influenced
the development of the Firth Park Management plan for the park.
In late 2003 an opportunity arose to address some of the key issues identified in the
Master plan for the park. The construction of a new mullti-purpose building, play ground
and improved access at the northern end of the park. These improvements were delivered
through the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative with Firth Park being selected as one of
three sites in a national design competition. The external Nursery design team worked
closely with the parks master plan consultants to ensure the new building was developed
in accordance with the principles identified in the Master plan.
This first success has influenced and reshaped the way that the park is used by the local
community and has inspired the community to work with the city council to further improve
the park, increase participation and usage of the facilities and raise the management and
maintenance standards.
The management plan for the park will be considered a success if it meets the following
aims
• That Firth Heritage Park is managed and maintained to meet the expectations
of the stakeholders and wider community
• That Firth Heritage Park provide a safe and attractive public park for formal
and informal leisure and recreation
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• That Firth Heritage Park continues to provide a wide variety of facilities that
are accessible to all whilst protecting its historical features and landscape for
future generations
• That the Parks and countryside service encourages and supports the local
community in its use of Firth park including informal and formal education
use
• That Firth Heritage Park achieves and maintains Green flag Status
Fig 3 Views across the Park
A2.3. SITE DESCRIPTION & LOCATION
SITE INFORMATION
Name
The Park has always been known as Firth Park; however this name is also for associated
with the general area and the local shopping centre. In places where confusion could arise
between these different uses of the term, the park is referred to as “Firth Heritage Park” in
this document.
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Ownership and contact details
The park was given to the people of Sheffield in 1875. It is held in trust with the Cabinet of
Sheffield City Council acting as sole trustees. The operational management of the park
comes under the remit of Parks and Countryside Service and is managed on a day-to-day
basis by the North Area District parks officer.
Location and physical details
Firth Park is situated in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and is 5 kilometres north –east of
Sheffield City Centre and straddles Firth Park Road, the B6086. Grid reference SK4368
3910.
The park lies entirely within the Firth Park Ward, which itself forms part of the larger
Brightside and Shiregreen, an administrative area for Sheffield City Council.
Fig 4 Location of Firth Park
Boundaries
The boundaries of the Park are outlined in the accompanying aerial photograph Figure 5
and includes an area of Hinde Common Wood, which was awarded HLF funding as part of
the “Fuelling the Revolution” grant.
From the map it can be seen that the park is surrounded by dense urban housing and is
situated in one of the most deprived areas of the city with a diverse multi cultural
population mix
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Fig 5 Aerial Photograph of Firth Heritage Park
A2.4 TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY
The park occupies two long, roughly rectangular areas, with a total area of 15.2 hectares
(37.6 acres), which are separated by Firth Park Road.
The park, as it is now, combines elements of the original pre-park landscape and the
subsequent overlays of the designed landscape. In character it varies greatly: from
woodland and streamside walks and open amenity grassland areas, to areas devoted to
sports activities and to the more formal setting of civic buildings.
Firth Park is situated in an area of fairly dramatic topography with bold promontories of
land flanked by stream valleys as demonstrated in the nearby prominence of Wincobank
Hill. Bedrock is never far from the surface, and the soils are mostly light reflecting the
underlying geology of sandstone of the Silkstone Rock.
The top of the Park contains a cluster of buildings, the main recreational facilities and the
more formal, busier part of the park.
The main part of the park, is an area of close-mown ‘amenity’ grassland, and occupies a
broad gently rolling plateau that slopes from a high point of 103.6m. To the west, the
ground falls steeply away towards an existing stream valley, the slopes of which are
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known as Donkey Hill. The ground is free draining with surface water flowing away west
and east from the central high point and then away to the south
Firth Park Road, east of the main park follows the line of another former stream valley,
and east of this lies with the land occupied by the Clock Tower and Hinde Common
Wood rises gradually towards Hinde Common Lane, creating a long elevated west
facing bank. In the southern part of the wood a small stream forms a deeply incised
valley, creating steep banks from the road and within the Wood.
The central areas of the park are exposed to the elements; where the ground falls away
to the eastern and western flanks and there are more trees, the park is more sheltered
and frost pockets can occur.
A2.5 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS
A
C
D
B
Fig 6 Landscape Character Areas
A - Top of the Park
This area has much changed from the original park layout. In the 1950’s a new entrance
was created, to provide access to a quiet oasis from the nearby shopping centre. There is
a well-used bowling green, new children’s playground and multi-sports areas. In late 2004
the new First Start building open to provide a café, toilets, and maintenance base all set
within formal bedding areas. This area is separated from the main body of the park by a
hedge and forms a “park within a park”. It is the busiest and most formal area of the park
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B - Hinde Common Wood & Clock Tower Pavilion.
The area is separated from the main Park by Firth Park Road. It forms a main gateway to
the park when approaching along Firth Park Road and the Clock Tower is a strong visual
element. The Clock Tower is a Grade II listed building and with its setting is an important
surviving element of the original park design. It is used as a venue for community
activities. Adjacent to the Clock Tower is the Old Library, which is being renovated to
create a training base. The old boating lake is occasionally used as a basketball court, but
is a major visual detractor and this area has drainage problems. The wooded slopes of
Hinde Common Wood rise up behind this cluster of structures. The woodland is ancient
deciduous woodland and ecologically important. and is the main attraction to visitors in this
part of the park.
C - Donkey Hill & Western Stream Valley
This is a steep wooded valley with a small stream. A predominately naturalistic area little
changed from the pre-park landscape of the nineteenth century. A quiet, intimate and
enclosed area used for dog walking, walking and enjoying natural surroundings. The water
quality in the stream is poor.
D - Close mown open grassland (Open Grassland)
Wide open area of mown grass with extensive views across the park and beyond. Used
for dog walking, walking, informal football and occasional large events. Its openness is
greatly valued by users.
Fig 7. Donkey Hill looking towards Cammel Road
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A 2.6 HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT
Fig 8 The Clock Tower
Firth park is one of the city’s historical parks with direct links back to the development of
Sheffield it is important that this management plan recognises this and the future
development of the park uses this as one of its key principals. The management plan must
seek to protect the heritage of the park whilst meeting the 21-century needs of the
community. The first start centre has set new standards in services and this need to be
built on in other areas of the park and in community engagement to make the park a
successful local facility.
2.6.1 THE PARK HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
The Park comprises what was part of the grounds of a large house known as Page Hall. It
was the first park in the city to be donated by the public benefactor Mark Firth and was
opened in 1875 by the Prince and Princess of Wales. It was one of the most memorable
events in the town’s history, well documented in the local newspaper. Early accounts from
the 1900’s describe the quality and popularity of the park at the time. It contained such
features as the gateway, refreshment house, small lake, pond and fountain, bandstand,
rock outcrops, woodland, shrubbery’s, gymnasium and recreation ground. It was a
popular venue for cricket and football and attracted large numbers of visitors particularly
form Brightside, Attercliffe and Pitsmoor. The number of visitors on Good Friday 1931 was
estimated at 30 000.
2.6.2 The Park in 1890: ‘Picturesque character’
When Mark Firth acquired part of the Page Hall estate in 1874, he undoubtedly had a farreaching
vision for this part of the town. Situated two miles to the north and outside the
town boundary, the character of the area, then part of the Ecclesfield parish, was rural.
Local architects, Messrs. Flockton and Abbott, were commissioned to design the park. It
occupied some 38 acres. About a quarter of the park was wooded and the undulating
slopes and varied topography provided what would later be described as ‘picturesque
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character’. Firth Park was opened on the 10 th of August 1875, by the Prince and Princess
of Wales and was described by a local newspaper of the day as follows: -.
‘This Park is within easy reach of the most densely populated parts of the
East end, and is very largely frequented by the
Inhabitants.
It contains two lodges (one with clock tower and refreshment rooms),
gymnastic appliances, cricket ground, &c.; in addition
To which there is a sheet of ornamental water (area about half-an-acre), and
a stream, with several small lakes, passes
Through one side of the park. .Part of the park is well wooded.’
The first clear view of the layout and features of the park are shown on a map of 1887,
‘Plans and Description of Parks and Recreation Grounds, May 1887’ and on the 1890 OS
plan. It is important to bear in mind that the design of the new park adopted the original
landscape, superimposing new elements and features, thus making the park suitable for
public use.
Key points to note here are:
• Landform: on the 1887 map a striking west facing dip slope is indicated giving the line
of the original western stream valley; there is also the west facing dip slope in Brush
House Wood
• Woods: there are four main areas of existing woodland: Brush House Wood (extending
north of Firth Park Avenue); Hinde Common Wood; woods to the west of the park
above the stream on the west dip slope; and the woods around the stream valley itself.
• Stream: notice that there are two linear lakes with weirs and that part of stream
appears to be outside the boundary of the Park; the stream valley with its walk would
provide another experience - an original feature from the early landscape with
established plantings - in contrast to the open spaces of the main park and the wooded
area to the south east
• Space arrangement: there are two large central open spaces, bisected by a diagonal
footpath; a river valley to the west; and a wooded area to the south-east around the
lake and Clocktower
• Footpath layout: the main path from the north lodge follows the western edge of the
open space south towards the southern part of park; it loops back in a wide semi-circle
to the east towards the Clocktower; here there would have been breathtaking views in
an arc from the south-east round to the south-west (remember there were no houses at
this time); there is another important path that runs east of the main spaces with
connections to Firth Park Avenue and towards the lake and Clocktower; with a diagonal
connection in the middle of the main spaces giving a potential figure of eight loop; there
is a footpath network around Brush House Wood; and there is a footpath loop to
western stream valley - part of which is an original footpath before the park was formed
(see 1850 OS)
• Firth Park Road and Avenue: these are recently formed routes - an entry in Kelly’s
Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham 1888 describes Firth Park Road as ‘a road, now
made public, traverses the estate’; note that Firth Park Road provides a looped
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connection through the area to and from the Sheffield/Barnsley road; this connection
was not previously easily made
• Boundaries: the western boundary is long and irregular, excluding part of the stream
course, but largely following the line of the stream; Firth Park Road forms the eastern
boundary of the main part of the park; the old field line forms the southern boundary, to
the east Brush House Wood is bounded by Firth Park Road to the west, Firth Park
Avenue to the north and the old line of Hinde Common Lane (with a narrow buffer strip)
• Park entrances: the main carriage entrance is on Firth Park Road by the Clocktower;
the main pedestrian entrances are north of the north lodge, opposite Firth Park
Avenue, opposite the lake, opposite the Clocktower and there is an informal connecting
route off Hinde Common Lane
• Two lodges: the Clocktower lodge (refreshment rooms) is in the south-east corner of
the Park with a large garden to the rear; and the lodge at the northern point of Park is
adjacent to the Bell House farm buildings
• Ornamental water: ‘lake’ on 1887 map, adapted from original reservoir, shape
modified from the original (see 1850 map).
• Plantings: the new plantings associated with the Park include the avenue of trees
along Firth Park Road north of junction with Firth Park Avenue; the small shrubberies
adjacent to the north lodge; the shrub/tree planting at the Park entrances, for example,
opposite Firth Park Avenue and opposite the Clocktower; the planting along the east
facing bank opposite the Clocktower and lake; note the typical arrangement of new
plantings in bold groupings, particularly along the western bank of Firth Park Road,
providing a future buffer separating the Park from the road; also the plantings that
reach into the Park, opposite Firth Park Avenue junction, would enhance the element of
surprise and a feeling of extent as the wide open spaces of the main Park come into
view
• Gymnasium: or what would be known today as a children’s playground, is near the
north lodge; from contemporary accounts, there are descriptions of swings and a giant
stride
• Shelter: there is a large shelter adjacent to the main space
• Drinking fountain: this is situated north of the lake
• Cricket ground: this is likely to be the large northern space with more level ground and
peripheral footpaths
• Ha-ha: this was an existing feature before the Park formed, following the former field
boundary, as can be seen from the 1887 map; a ha-ha was a way of containing
livestock without the fencing to spoil the view; it is thought this could have been for the
benefit of the large house called The Brushes which looked across in this direction.
• Housing development: there is limited housing development shown at Firth Park
Avenue on the 1887 map.
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Figure 9 Old Ordnance Survey Plans
2.6.3 Early 1900s: ‘A breezy down more than a garden’
An account in the 1888 edition of Kelly’s Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham makes
mention of a large children’s’ playground or gymnasium and ample space for cricket and
other games.
The main facility for active recreation, the gymnasium, is worthy of further attention. At the
time of the formation of Firth Park, there was a national movement towards provision for
more active forms of recreation and sport in parks by popular demand, other than walking.
Although Norfolk Park had offered space for cricket several years earlier, it was in Firth
Park that the first provision of play equipment was made in Sheffield. It is known from later
accounts that the gymnasium consisted of a giant stride and swings.
In the 15 years between 1890 and 1905 further changes had occurred around and within
the Park which can be seen on the OS map of 1905. Note here the initial incursion of
trams to the area, which, as they extended further north over the next few years, would
bring more and more development to the area.
Other important points to note on this map are:
• Woodland: shortly after the publication of the 1905 map, Hinde Common Wood was
acquired; the Park extends south into this area
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• Footpaths: there are two additional paths traversing the cricket ground; the ha-ha has
been developed into a walkway running parallel to and having connections from the
main path - this probably afforded good views to the west at this time; there is a
proposed connection in the south west corner of the park, anticipating the Cammell
Road entrance
• Bandstand: this feature sits in the southern open space, providing a focal point in this
area; its elevated position gives visual prominence and allows sound to carry across
full length of park
• Trams: by 1899 connecting as far as Bolsover Road and Page Hall Road (these were
electric trams – no horse drawn trams ever ran in north Sheffield because of the
gradient.)
• Housing development: there are now houses on the western side of Bellhouse Road;
there is housing on the north side of the proposed Firth Park Crescent; on the north
western side of Firth Park; along half of the northern side of Firth Park Avenue (with
consequent reduction in Brush House Wood) (these semi-detached middle-class
houses, brick with barge-boarded dormer windows, are typical of their time - on the
tram route and overlooking the Park: a definite selling-point for speculative builders);
and terraced houses south of the park along Vivian Road, Hamilton Road and Addison
Road.
• Character: there is a developing municipal quality with further housing development
within the area; there is improved access and new features in the Park including the
bandstand and the ‘viewing’ walkway on the old ha-ha; there is some loss of views with
building of Vivian Road housing; however, the Park retains much of the integrity of the
original character, but now ceases to relate to Page Hall.
Fig 10 Firth Park Lodge and old café Building
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2.6.4 1925: ‘A beautiful open space’
Fifty years after it’s opening, the park is praised in a local newspaper article by Fred
Bradbury, who describes the great changes that have occurred: ‘Fields and country lanes
have given way to bricks and mortar.’ He writes of the park preserved as ‘a beautiful open
space’, a reminder of Mark Firth’s vision, all the more important with such ‘a vast industrial
population on its verge’.
Further changes that have occurred since 1905 can be seen on the OS map of 1925.
The important aspects to note on this map are:
• Landform: there have been changes to the landform west of the Bell House farm
buildings with the culverted stream
• Woods: note the loss of an area of woodland (the southern part of Hinde Common
Wood); notice that the extension of housing east along Firth Park Avenue has meant
the loss of the last fragment of the northern part of Brush House Wood.
• Entrances: the Cammell Road entrance is now established, with new plantings to
either side.
• Footpaths: there have been few changes to path network; two footpaths have been
discontinued in the northern large open space, with a return to the two main paths to
either side of the space.
• Allotments: there is now an extensive area of allotments shown east of park.
• Bowling greens and tennis grounds: to the south of the north lodge, there are now
two bowling greens and two areas of tennis grounds arranged within existing path
system; there is also a small pavilion indicated.
• Trams: by 1909 these extend as far as Firth Park Road top.
• Housing development: there has been substantial housing infill to the south of Page
Hall: to the south west of the Park. The Cammell Road and Vickers Road housing
areas are now established and the anticipated route of Hucklow Road is shown; there
has been further development south-east of the Park, south of Hinde House, with two
terraced rows built on the bottom part of Hinde Common Wood; there has been some
upgrading of Hinde House Lane; there has also been further development north-east of
the park. To the east of Bellhouse Road; the Methodist Church and Sunday school
building, built in 1910 at the junction of Firth Park Road, Stubbin Lane and Bellhouse
Road is shown together with further development along Firth Park Avenue. The ‘Flower
Estate’ was the City’s first suburban municipal estate, built 1904-08, as part of the
Yorkshire and North Midland Model Cottage Exhibition, with several architects of
national standing taking part; after the 1919 Housing Act The City chose the Firth Park
area for the first large-scale slum clearance re-housing scheme, of which the Stubbin
and Brushes Estates were completed in the early 1920s.
• Character: the introduction of sports facilities marked a new phase for the park; two
focal areas have started to develop: that part of the park around the Clocktower
offering more passive pursuits; and the northern part as the area for active sport;
otherwise there is very little change in the character with the Park still relating to a
wider rural quality, particularly to the west.
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2.6.5 1940s: ‘A lovely safe place’
In 1940 the Government was urging local authorities to provide recreation and
entertainment for workers, encouraging them to take holidays at home. With its long
tradition of music in the parks, Sheffield was well prepared for this and in 1941 a
programme of 80 events was organised, involving many parks. The bands (and
bandstands) were the main attraction but other events included cricket weeks, galas, fairs,
open air dancing and variety shows. During this ‘Holidays at Home’ season, the
relationship between the city’s parks and local people was at its height.
The OS map of 1934/5 (with additions in 1948) gives an interesting view of the park, now
completely surrounded by housing, a green island in a sea of development.
The main points to note from this map are:
• Landform: there have been major landform changes associated with the establishment
of Hucklow Road; the stream has been culverted with subsequent tipping over the
northern part of stream.
• Stream: the full length of the stream is now incorporated into the Park; the two lakes
and at least one of the original weirs has been modified or removed, creating one linear
lake.
• Boundaries: there have been boundary changes in the area of Hucklow Road to the
north of the Park: housing, allotments and the road now form part of the western
boundary of the Park.
• Footpaths: there have been alterations to the nature of the ha-ha walkway - the walls
appear to have been removed by this time and the footpath provision discontinued.
• Buildings: Firth Park Library has been built adjacent to the Clock Tower Pavilion on
part of the woodland.
• Bandstand: there have been possible modifications with a suggested broad area of
hard paving around the base.
• Bowling greens/tennis courts: these are in the same position but there has been
modification to the layout of the tennis courts, a more formal layout with fencing; there
has also been some additional planting to the north of the northern tennis courts.
• Shelter: a new shelter appears in the area opposite Firth Park Avenue, with new
footpath link to serve it.
• Trams: by 1934 these extend as far as Sheffield Lane Top.
• Housing development: there has been further major housing development to the west
of the Park along Hucklow Road and the Brushes estate; a major centre has developed
at the junction of Hucklow Road, Stubbin Lane, Firth Park Road and Bellhouse Road;
there is housing all along Hinde House Lane.
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2.6.6 1975 - 100 years on: ‘Going to the dogs’
If the first one hundred years of the Park marked success, popularity and expansion; the
following few decades into the 90s would bring increasing concerns about vandalism,
illegal tipping and general decline. The low point of the park was in 1995 when the
Clocktower was severely damaged in an arson attack.
A review of the 1975 OS map gives an indication of changes since the middle of the
century the key ones being:
• Top entrance: there is a new entrance to the northern end of the Park with a layout
typical in character of the 1950s municipal style with railings, grass and flower beds;
part of original buildings of Bell House farm have been demolished to provide a central
path leading to the rose garden.
• Flower garden: a new rose garden has been established south of the north lodge,
typical in character of the 1950s municipal style.
• Southern path: this was removed some time in the 1970s.
• Bandstand: this was removed some time in the 1970s.The boating pond was drained
and converted into a temporary basketball courts.
• Facilities: the footprint to the sports facilities remains the same, but a new prefabricated
bowls pavilion was opened in 1967.
• Children’s playground: the playground is now established west of the north lodge,
with access off Hucklow Road.
• Housing: there has been further housing infill, particularly to the west of the Park.
• Character: the physical integrity and general character of the Park remains the same
but there have some significant changes: the northern part has developed into a ‘park
within a Park’ with changes to the main entrance and the additional facilities; very little
change elsewhere.
Figure 11 Firth Park Floral Bedding schemes late 1970
2.6.7 ‘New Century new beginnings’
The late 1990’s marked the start of efforts arrest the decline of the park the seeds were
sown of plans to revive the park and to breath new life into it, and this bid forms one
element of this strategy.
After being severely damaged in an arson attack the old Clock Tower Pavilion was
successfully restored and is now used by a number of local community groups.
22

In 2000 the Friends of Firth Park were formed to help focus attention on the plight of the
park and press the case for regenerating the park.
The decline of the park was arrested and the situation stabilised.
In 2001 the Friends Groups and Sheffield City Council secured funds to engage
consultants to undertake a feasibility Study of all aspects of the park. In March 2003
further funding was secured to take the findings of the feasibility plan forward to develop a
master plan.
2.6.8 The Neighbourhood Nursery Competition
A competition sponsored by CABE and the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative was held in
2001. This aimed to encourage new and innovative thinking about the design and
development of nursery provision. The Feasibility Study for the park had already identified
that a new building might act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the park. Sheffield City
Council put forward a proposal to relocate Shiregreen Young Children’s Centre into the
Firth Historic Park as a possible example site for the competition. It was selected and four
design teams were asked to submit their proposals. A design by Panter Hudspith was
selected as the overall winner by and eminent panel of judges in 2002.
A Project Development Officer was appointed to help refine the design and secure funding
and work with local stakeholders to refine the design and ensure it integrated with overall
vision for the park.
In late 2003 construction started with the building opened by David Blunnket MP In
November 2004. The buildings, now know as ‘First Start,’ has been designed as a multipurpose
facility and will benefit both park users and the wider community.
2.6.9 To date
The landscaping around the new park entrance was completed in mid July 2005 with new
bedding displays and seating and this linked to the new playground, which was included
in, phase one of the new community building.
Additional planting and incorporation of the Hucklow car park was included in to the park to
provide additional parking and drop off facilities for the new nursery
Following on from the official opening the new café began trading and was successful in
securing the provision of nursery school meals which will be made within the building and
was one of the first facilities in Sheffield to restore the preparation of school meals on the
same site as the nursery
Firth park festival staged in the park with may attractions and the event was well attended
The firth park Christmas festival was staged in 2006 using the park as the venues to
switch on the centres Christmas decorations
2007 New notts turf mini football, area opened to provide all weather sports usage within
the park and the development of a new sensory garden.
2008 Firth Park achieves Green Flag Standards.
23

2.7.0 PARK CHRONOLOGY
1773 Building begins on the Page Hall House for Thomas Broadbent.
1840’s Mark Firth purchases the Page Hall
estate and commissions architects
Flockton and Abbott to design the
park.
1874 Mark Firth appointed Alderman and Mayor and donates the park to
the people of Sheffield.
16 th August Park opened to the public by Prince and Princess of Wales with the
1875 Archbishop of Archbishop of York in attendance.
1890 O.S. map dated shows “gymnasium”, refreshment rooms and
ornamental pond.
1905 O.S. map shows bandstand.
1909 Tram reaches Firth Park.
1925 O.S. map shows part of Hinde Common Wood included in the park
and bowling greens and tennis courts at the northern end of the
park.
24 th July Firth Park Library opened.
1930
Good Friday On this day it is calculated that 30,000 people visit the park.
1931
1949 New entrance and lodge constructed at the north end of the park.
Prefab day nursery built in the park.
1967 Pre-fabricated “Vic Hallam” bowling pavilion opened.
1970’s Bandstand removed.
1975 O.S. map shows Hucklow Road playground.
1980’s Pre-fabricated Nursery removed.
1995 Clock Tower rebuilt after arson attack.
1999 Library relocates and a car park is created on the site of the nursery.
Old Library becomes “Trade Base” and run by a community group.
2000 Friends of Firth Park formed, work on Park Feasibility Study starts
2001 Joint NNI/CABE national design competition held.
2002 ECUS commissioned to undertake Park Master plan
2003-2004 Construction of the new multi-“First Start” building starts in the
park. Removal of old farm buildings and derelict toilets, existing
playground and construction of remodelled entrance, new park
playground and circulation routes
2004 New playground opened
Car parking at Hucklow road incorporated in to the park
2005 First start café opens and provision of school meals for the nursery
2006/07 Up grading of mini football pitches and new youth shelter
2008 Green Flag Standard
24

A2.8.0. LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT
Firth Heritage Park is deemed to be of national significance and has the following
Conservation Designations
• Sheffield City Council Unitary Development Plan
The Review of the Unitary Plan 2006 is under review. Firth Park is currently designated as an
Open Space Area in the Plan, and Hinde Common Wood and Donkey Hill Wood are designated
Local Nature Sites. It is proposed that they will be designated “Areas of Natural History Interest”
when the new Plan is published in 2006.
• Heritage Park
Designated a Heritage Park by Parks, Woodlands & Countryside, Section of Sheffield City
Council and is included as an Historic Park on the Local Schedule of Historic Parks and
Gardens in the Unitary Development Plan.
• City Park
Firth Park has been designated by the Council as a ‘City Park’, that is, one of the nine
most important parks in the City.
• Local Park
Whilst the Park has been granted ‘City’ and ‘Heritage’ status, the council recognises that it
is also a local facility, serving also as a ‘community park’.
• Sheffield Nature Conservation Strategy
Hinde Common Wood and Donkey Hill Wood are both designated as Local Nature Sites
(LNS). The Park is designated as a Green link/desired Green link in the Strategy.
• South Yorkshire Forest
Hinde Common Wood is part of the South Yorkshire Forest. And classified as a “Heritage
Woodland”.
• Listed Building
The Clock Tower pavilion is a listed building. Any work to the interior or exterior of the
building, or the curt ledge, other than routine maintenance, requires Listed Building
Consent from the City Council as planning authority.
Fig 12 View of Spring Bedding and First Start Centre
25

A2.9.0
FACILITIES & FEATURES
2.9.1 First Start Centre
The design had to address a number of key objectives including a new park entrance with
enhanced playground facilities and public toilets. A functional building with a rich mixture
of external and internal spaces of differing scales, character and light to provide flexibility
and contemporary accommodation for the community. The building had to be sustainable,
highly insulated using low maintenance and low energy materials, yet provide a secure
environment for the children’s nursery within a public park setting.
The building was completed in November 2004 and opened on 26th November by the
local MP David Blunkett, the then Home Secretary.
It was agreed at the start of the project that the new building would be managed by the
Parks Service as an integrated part of the overall park and a new post was established as
The Firth Park First Start Manager who would be responsible for all the buildings in the
park, including the restored clock-tower building, bowling pavilion and new playground as
well as the new building.
2.9.2 Sure Start and key Partners
The key partners using the building are the Early Years Education and Childcare Services,
Firth Park and Shiregreen Sure Start and the Area Health Authority Heath visitors. The
First Start Manager brings together all the users on a regular basis through a building user
group meeting where all user requirements are discussed and agreed and an event and
activity programme for the building and park is developed.
The café in the new building was opened in April 2005 after establishing a local operating
agreement with a local business. The café provides a range of healthy foods and is
unique within the city as it provides school dinners for the nursery, which are all, prepared
within the building’s new kitchen. The café employs 2 local people from within the Firth
Park community and is developing a reputation for buffets and dinners within the local
community, which will help sustain its business throughout the winter period.
2.9.3 Toilets
Public toilets are available in the First Start Pavilion
2.9.4 Drinking water
There is no public drinking water in the park but water is available to purchase through the
café in the First Start pavilion
2.9.5 Refreshments
Henrys at First Start is the café operator within the park and this sells meals and snacks
throughout the day. The café has been very successful since it opened and provides
healthy and neutrious food events through out the year. The café is opened on reduced
hours during the winter period
2.9.6 First Aid –
Gardener, Caretakers and the supervisor within the park have had emergency first aid
training. The facility manager has a first aid level two certificate
26

2.9.7 Public Telephones –
Public telephones are situated by the Parks main park entrance.
2.9.8 Internet Access
A free public Internet access monitor is provided in the reception area at First Start
building.
2.9.9 Car Parking –
The park car park is situated at Hucklow Road and has spaces for 35 cars in marked out
spaces. Other car parking is available on the roadside at Hucklow Road and Firth Park
Road. The roadside parking has been designated with road markings. Currently there are
six car parking spaces outside the Clock Tower and it is hoped to re designate this area as
disabled parking in the future
2.9.10 Local Recycling centre
A small local recycling centre has been developed in the corner of the Hucklow Road Car
park and provides facilities for glass paper and clothing containers. The facility is
monitored by the First Start Caretakers and is serviced and emptied by the City Councils
waste Partner.
2.9.11 Children’s playground
A new Children’s playground was opened in 2004 the area was designed for young
children between eights to twelve year olds. The equipment consists of a number of muiti
activity units offering stimulated play with high play values and high quality equipment.
2.9.12 The Bowling Green
The development of the first start centre resulted in the Park reducing from two bowling
greens down to one bowling green and Bowling Pavilion. The green is currently used by
the Firth park Bowling Club through out the summer and the location is often used a venue
for Sheffield and District Bowling Association Bowling finals bringing teams from across
the city. The bowling club are represented on the Friends of Firth Park and are keen to see
the further development of the bowling green.
2.9.13 The Bowling Pavilion
The bowling pavilion is a wooden structure based around a metal frame the Pavilion was
re roofed during 2006 to extended the life of the building The pavilion contains toilet
facilities and the build is divided in to two distinct areas, one used by the bowling club
which contains a meeting room small kitchen area for them to use for teas and
refreshments.
The remaining part of the building is used as a meeting base for the friends group who
organise a number of community based activities within the park during school holiday
periods. The friends also organise the Firth park local gala
2.9.14 Old tennis Courts
The tennis courts are currently in very poor condition and this is one of the priority areas
for future improvements
27

2.9.15 Floral planting
The area around the First Start centre has been developed as a floral garden area, which
contains both bedding and herbaceous planting. This is a very popular area for people to
sit and relax within the park. Further works are planned to extend the planting during 2007
including the development of a sensory garden.
2.9.16 Basket Ball Area
The old boating lake within the park is currently been used a basketball area the pond has
been drained and the surface cleaned and made good. This arrangement is a temporary
measure until the old boating lake is developed as part of future capital developments
within the park
2.9.17 Mini Soccer Pitches
There are two mini soccer pitches in the park one has recently been refurbished with the
second due to be up graded in 2008
Fig 13 Bowling Green Looking towards Firth Park Road
28

2.9.18 Firth Park Bye Laws
The park is cover by a set of byelaws, which restricts various activities, see appendix
attached to this plan.
Fig 14 Firth Park New Playground
A2.10 OWNERSHIP
Firth Park is managed and maintained by Sheffield City Council Parks, Woodlands and
Countryside Section. The boundary fencing and walls are maintained on behalf of the park
by Premises and Assets Team of the Development, Environment and Leisure Directorate
(DEL) within Sheffield City Council, they also implement the maintenance programme for
all the park buildings and structures.
• Firth Park is held in Trust by the City Council. The Cabinet members of the
Authority act as sole trustees.
• The First Start building is held under a charitable scheme trust created in 2004,
with the express intention of enabling the building to be used for a wider range
of social and educational activities.
• The Clock Tower Pavilion is operated by Parks, Woodlands and Countryside
and rooms in it are available for seasonal hire.
29

• The Clock Tower building also has a service tenant who occupies a flat above
the main building on a Service Tenancy basis and carries out security duties and
emergency fire marshal roles.
• The Old Library, which lies within the historic park boundaries, but is excluded
from the current park, is being disposed of to the Community North Forum, a
local community lead regeneration organisation.
• The Bowls Pavilion in the park is maintained and managed by Sheffield City
Council. It is used by the Firth Park Bowling Club and an additional room, which
is occupied by the Friends of Firth Park.
Fig 15 Firth Park Clock Tower
A2.11 LANDSCAPE STATUS & CONSTRAINTS
Firth Park was the first public park in Sheffield, donated by the local benefactor, Mark Firth,
the founder of Sheffield University. The royal opening of the park on the 16 th of August
1875 was a significant and memorable event in the history of the city, attended by
thousands and extensively recorded and documented. Images of the event evoke a
tangible sense of Sheffield’s global status at that time as a leading industrial city, and
illustrate the importance of Mark Firths donation.
The overriding significance of Firth Park is the continuity of its landscape character and the
relevance of it use through out the 129 years since its creation. The use of the park has
changed little from Mark Firth’s original vision as a place where visitors could escape from
the pressures of everyday life; the park has continued to be a focus for the community and
is highly valued as such.
The original boundaries remain largely unchanged from 1875, with the exception of the
southern boundary, and the fundamental character of the park has remained intact. Over
the years additional development has taken place on the parks periphery, including
housing, shops and community buildings such as the library and the recent ‘First Start
Centre’. This latter development has had a positive impact helping to enforce the role of
the park within the local community and it is hoped that the park will always be able to
respond and remain relevant to needs of the evolving community that use it. Firth Park is
considered to be a precious fragment of landscape conserved through continual use and
30

has great significance for all who live near and use the park in terms of culture, health and
activity, as a point of identity for the neighbourhood and as a focus of local pride.
A2.12 USE OF THE SITE
As a result of the recent development of the First Start Centre building the park now
attracts a wide variety of social and leisure activities for the local area.
The Firth Start Centre also provides a central place for informal activities and the café
attracts a great deal of local customers visiting for morning coffee and lunches. The mix of
key partners allows the building to excel with a wide range of more formal activities such
as basic skills training courses for local people; The early year’s nursery for younger
children brings the building to life through out the day.
The centre staffs are involved in the organisation of key local events such as the
Christmas Festival, summer fair and other local events. This management model has
brought the local community together and integrated the park in to the local community
and business centre of Firth Park.
The New playground is heavily used by local families and has provided valuable play
provision for younger children.
Fig 16. Firth Park Playground looking towards the Bowling Green
The Health walk rangers are based within the park and have been very successful in
engaging with the different cultural groups within the local area and now run a series of
health walks from the park.
31

Fig 17 Heath walks within the park organised by the Parks and Countryside Health
Walk rangers
A2.13 CULTURAL & AESTHETIC VALUE
Firth Park lies in an area of acknowledged deprivation and poverty. Many local people, due
to personal circumstances, have limited access to recreational facilities, and this green
attractive open space provides one of the few recreational resources available to them at
no cost. Socially the park lies between two differing communities and forms and important
neutral space which all members of the community feel belongs to them and that they can
use freely
A2.14 CURRENT STAKEHOLDERS
Due to the multi-use nature of Firth Heritage Park there are many groups and
organisations that have a direct involvement in the park.
Listed below are the main stakeholders:
• Sheffield City Council - Parks & Countryside Service
• SCC Premises & Assets section
• Friends of Firth Heritage Park
• SCC Children’s Services
• Brightside and Shiregreen Sure Start
• Firth park Bowling Club
• The Clock Tower User Groups
• Brightside and Shiregreen Area Panel
• Henrys at First Start (Café)
• Sheffield Primary Care Trust
• The Clock Tower Tenant
• First Start Building User Group
• Local Ward Councillors
• Other park user groups
32

Communication between all these groups takes place in a variety of meetings, formal and
informal correspondence. The First Start Manager acts as a central point through which all
the information flows.
A2.15 ACCESS & BARRIERS TO USE
An inclusive approach has been taken to making the park as accessible and enjoyable as
possible for all visitors, including those with a wide range of disabilities. The First Start
Centre in the park was built to be as accessible as possible with the installation of flat
entrances; Internal lifts to all floors, disabled toilets with baby changing facilities, Braille
signs and nursery sensory room.
A Parks and Countryside Service “Barriers to Use Audit” has been carried out on the site
as part of a whole service programme. This audit is included within this plan as appendix
C4.
A2.16 STAFF & MAINTENANCE
The Parks and Countryside Manager has a city-wide remit and therefore carries overall
responsibility for the site. This then cascades down to the District Parks Officer (North) the
Parks officer North and then the First Start Centre Manager who is present in the park and
deals directly with the management of the Buildings and key features in the park. The First
Start manager has three caretakers who work a shift system to provide seven-day cover
and operations of all the buildings. The park’s gardener carries out the day-to-day
maintenance of the park with only the large grass areas cutting sub-contracted to
Streetforce, the council’s direct services department. The local community is engaged
through the Ranger Service, which work with the “Friends of” group and local schools to
run events and contribute to the sites development. Finally, the woodland section of the
Council ensures that the trees are safe and well managed.
. POLICY CONTEXT
A3.1 SITE CATEGORISATION STRATEGY
The Site Categorisation Strategy for Sheffield’s parks and green spaces identifies Firth
Heritage Park as a City Heritage site.
Further information regarding this strategy and its methodology, can be found on our
website:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/all-about-us/sitecategorisation-strategy
A3.2 SHEFFIELD PARKS REGENERATION STRATEGY
Sheffield’s Parks Regeneration Strategy is the long-term plan for the regeneration of
Sheffield's green space. The strategy aims to continuously improve the management of
green space for people, wildlife and heritage by:
• working in partnership with others
• supporting communities to become actively involved with the management of their
green spaces and assisting us in determining standards
• making the best use of existing resources
• securing additional resources to improve services
33

The repair and regeneration of Firth Heritage Park are seen as a flagship example of the
success of this strategy. Further information regarding this strategy can be found on our
Website:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/all-about-us/parksregeneration-strategy
A3.3 SHEFFIELD’S ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY
In 2001, the City Council set up a Local strategic Partnership, with responsibility for
ensuring that the social, economic and environmental well being of the city is delivered in
an integrated way. The Sheffield First for Environment partnership produced an
environmental strategy for the city, in 2003, which sets out a vision of what the city wants
to achieve, based on community involvement and covers six key challenges. This strategy
is currently under review and consultation. A new strategy will be produced during 2007. A
copy of the present strategy can be found at http://www.sheffieldfirst.net/ourpartnerships/sheffield-environment-partnership/key-documents
A3.4 LOCAL AGENDA 21
In 2001 the City Council set up a Local Strategic Partnership, with responsibility for
ensuring that the social, economic and environmental well being of the city is delivered in
an integrated way. The Sheffield First for Environment partnership have now produced a
final draft environmental strategy for the city which sets out a vision of what the city wants
to achieve, based on community involvement.
The Parks and Countryside Service has recently appointed its own Bio Diversity officer
who will be working across all areas of the Parks Service to look at introducing additional
measures to reduce the environmental impact of our service.
A3.5 UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (UDP)
Firth Heritage Park is on the Local Schedule of Historic Parks and Gardens in Sheffield as
part of the City’s Unitary Development Plan. This document is currently being reviewed
and a new Sheffield Development Framework will be produced to guide future planning
and developments across the city.
Further details are available via the Planning Service website:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/planning-and-city-development/planning-documents/udp
A3.6 HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT
Firth Heritage Park is surrounded by local housing. Major renovation work is taking place
to refurbish housing along the Vivian road boundary of the park. The housing types are of
a traditional style with a mixture of owner occupied and rented accommodation.
The Firth park shopping centre is a very important to the areas economy and has a wide
range of different shops selling a range of products and services and catering for the
diverse range of community cultural types within the area. The shopping area has been
enhanced with the areas entry in to the Yorkshire in Bloom Floral and environmental
competition
The area has seen an increase in floral containers and hanging baskets, which has
provided additional colour to the surrounding area.
34

A3.7 BYELAWS
Firth Heritage Park is covered by the SCC byelaws, which cover many of Sheffield’s parks
and open spaces. The existing byelaws were made in 1966 (amended in 1971) and relate
to the powers in the Public Health Act 1875 and Open Spaces Act 1906. A variety of
powers do exist to protect the public and the environment from possible conflicts of
interest, misuse and abuse. The byelaws cover such things as vehicular use, cycling, ball
games, events, picking flowers and many others. It is widely recognised that some of the
existing byelaws are now irrelevant in today's society and consequently some byelaws are
no longer enforced. However, overhauling the existing byelaws is a considerable and
expensive legal task and until such a time that the relevant byelaws are fully reviewed and
amended the existing powers remain in place and are enforced as and when appropriate.
A copy of the byelaws can be found in appendix D2 or on our website at:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/all-about-us/byelaws
Fig 18 New Notice Board erected at the park entrances
35

A4. VISION FOR FIRTH HERITAGE PARK 2008-18
The contributors involved in the production of this Plan have agreed the following vision for
the park:
‘To conserve and enhance the historic landscape and heritage value of Firth
Heritage Park whilst encouraging greater use, understanding and enjoyment
by the local and wider community.’
A5. AIMS & OBJECTIVES
A5.1 CREATING A WELCOMING PLACE
AIM 5.1.1
To improve visitor facilities and usage of the Park within the
resources available and seek external funding for future
development of the park.
First Impressions are important when visiting a park and Firth Heritage Park has been
transformed since the development of the First Start Centre and the re designing of the
main park entrance which is distinctive and provides a green oasis in the centre of a busy
urban centre.
The park invites the community to enter through its wide pedestrian paths and coloured
planting.
The park has a number of distinctive zones that offer something for every one within the
community from wide-open green areas for informal sports to quite areas of spring and
summer bedding displays to vibrant children’s play area.
5.1.2 Public Transport
The nearest bus stop is adjacent to the main Park entrance and firth park as an area is
well served by public transport
17 17A City Centre, Hillsbrough, Parson Cross, Firth Park, Meadowhall
37 37A Burncross, Chapeltown, Ecclesfield, Parson cross, Firth Park, Meadowhall
47 48 Heardings, Hansworth, Heeley, City centre, Pitsmore, Firth Park, Shirgreen
85 86 Firth Park, Meadowhall, Grimesthorpe, Banner Cross, Millhouses, Fullwood
M22
M49
City Centre, Burngreave, Pitsmoor, Grimesthorpe, Firth Park
Firth park, Ecclesfield, Parson Cross
P1P2 Southey, Longley, Firth Park, Shirecliffe, Wadsley bridge, Fox Hill, Parson Cross
Fig 19 Bus Routes to the Park
36

5.1.3 Pedestrian and Cycle Access
Firth Heritage Park is popular with local residents and has a footpath network through the
park that serves the Vivian and Cammel Road communities. This routes are used to gain
assess to the Firth park district shopping centre and local library and church facilities.
Traffic calming measures have been installed along Hucklow Road, which runs adjacent to
the park and a 20 MPH speed limits put in place to reduce the speed of traffic outside the
park.
All entrances paths to the park have flat surfaces, which are even and suitable for wheel
chairs, although some of the paths are quite hilly by following the topography of the
landscape
For cyclist there are cycle barriers at the main park entrance outside the first start centre
and these are covered by the CCTV security system around the building. No cycling is
allowed within the park for the safety of pedestrian users. The tarmac footpaths through
out the park have good even surfaces
There are two pedestrian crossings by the park entrances at Firth Park Road and Hucklow
Road, which provides links to the shopping centre. Further road improvements and traffic
calming measures are planned for Firth Park Road in the near future. Work Has take place
to install disabled parking outside the Firth park clock Tower during 2008/09
5.1.4 Vehicular Access
No cars are allowed in the park at any time during normal operations although vehicles do
have to enter the park during the set up for events and these are stringently controlled by
on site staff. Vehicle gates are kept locked at all other times. The park has a small car park
off Hucklow Road and the first start staffs have use of car parking facilities and drop off
points for the first start nursery in an area, which is an extension to the public car park.
Other car parking is situated at the side of the road on Firth Park Road and Hucklow Road.
The park has its own dedicated maintenance vehicles these are a John Deere Gator utility
vehicle and a mega truck which is used by maintenance staff to remove grass clipping or
carry equipment to some of the outer areas of the park. These vehicles are painted yellow
and have flashing lights to warn pedestrians of their presence. Staff has a strict driving
code when in the park and are banned from excessive speed. Pedal cycle parking barriers
are available near to the main entrance and within view of the First Start Centre. Cycles
are not allowed within the park. The cycle parking area is covered by the CCTV system
from the First Start centre
5.1.5 Equality Access
The park has been assessed using the Sensory Trust Equality Tool kit and scored against
national recognised standards. We have also carried out further equality assessments to
buildings and the wider natural areas of the park as part of the sites yearly Risk
assessment.
Footpaths have been inspected and are wheel chair compatible through out the park
although some of the paths are steep due to the landscape topography of the area.
The first start building has been designed to meet the latest equality standards with pre
opening doors and disabled ramps.
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The building contains a wheel chair lift to allow access to all floors and facilities within the
building. The reception area has been designed to be wheel chair friendly with low
reception counter. The building also uses wide glass doors through out with disabled
routes to the public toilets, which contain the latest lighting and signage. Including brail
signage to entrance signs and throughout the building
Details of the assessments are included in the appendix to this plan
5.1.6 Signage
The park is part way through a re signage programme which so far has included the main
entrance, Cammel Road and Firth park Clock Tower other area are scheduled to be
completed by next year.
Additional signage was installed in the car park at Hucklow Road and Vivian Road as part
of the (2007/08) programme. The last phase of the programme will see interpretative
signage erected near donkey hill and around the woodland area.
New finger posts were erected around the park to provide direction to facilities. A number
of notice boards were up graded at Hucklow Road, the Main Park entrance Firth Park
Road. Additional new notice boards have been erected at the Firth park clock tower and
Bowling pavilion to ensure that all area of the park are covered. All signage will comply
with the city councils corporate style and design to provide consistence through out the
park
A5.2 A CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED SITE
AIM 5.2.1
To provide a safe and clean environment.
The parks and Countryside service believe that the appearance and overall up keep of
Firth Heritage Park is very important as it contributes to the overall effect of the central
shopping and business area. The City Councils “Greener Cleaner Safer” and “Everybody
matters” aim fits in to this agenda. Firth Heritage Park staff prides themselves in ensuring
that the park is maintained to a high standard and offer a wide range of opportunity for the
local community.
5.2.2 Policy on Vandalism and graffiti
The park is part of the areas Yorkshire in Bloom Local entry and as such has adopted a
proactive approach to controlling vandalism and removal of graffiti.
The caretakers are responsible for ensuring that graffiti is removed from all building in the
park as well as the children’s playground. The gardeners respond to acts of vandalism by
ether repairing the item or making the area safe and getting a repair carried out as soon as
is practically possible.
Items of damaged play equipment are made safe and repairs are carried out through an
emergency procedure by the citywide playground maintenance fitters.
5.2.3 Litter and other waste
Waste bins are provided throughout the park and are emptied Daily through out the week
dependant on the level of users. The smaller litter bins within the playground are emptied
more frequently as they are unable to deal with the volume of litter during busy summer
periods Additional Coloured bins have been added to ease this situation
It is hoped to standardise on the type of bin within the park to provide continuity with the
signage and other park furniture.
38

All green waste is removed from the park and transported to Concord Park one mile away
for composting. All tree and shrub pruning are chipped and composed and re used on
shrub beds and boarders as summer mulch.
The pavilions and buildings in the park generate a lot of waste and this is separated out by
the caretakers for limited recycling via Veolia the city councils waste contractor.
All cardboard packaging is separated from plastic and recycled.
The park also acts as a limited public recycling centre for paper and glass currently this is
situated outside the Clocktower as well as the new recycling facility in the corner of
Hucklow Road car park.
5.2.4 Well maintained
The grounds maintenance work within the park is carried out by the Parks and Countryside
dedicated gardeners who are based within the park together with a supervisor who is also
responsible for a small number of other local sites with the area.
The team have there own maintenance machinery which is based within the first start
centre and are able to undertake the majority of the maintenance within the park area.
The main grassed area in the park is cut by a gang mower, by Street force, the councils
contracting service on a large area based maintenance route.
The natural areas around donkey hill in the park are subject to a separate maintenance
regime and are left in a natural condition to encourage wildlife and habitat development
The small stream, which runs through the park, is part of the wider area drainage system
and takes floodwater during storm conditions. A programme of major re engineering work
was carried out in the area to improve water quality of the stream during periods of high
rainfall. These works have reduced the level of pollution within the stream in the park and
encouraged wild life to the area.
The stream area does cause problem with litter, which blows in amongst the dense
planting. This area normally gets two litter collections during the year. (Spring and
autumn).
5.2.5 Staff skills
The dedicated staff within the park attends a number of training programmes each year to
improve the skills and expertise. Staffs are given personal appraisals to determine their
individual training needs
The staff skill audit outlines the level of experience
Job Title Experience in years Skill level
Supervisor Richard Allen 20/25 29
Gardener Andrew Hudson 20/25 25
Gardener David Taylor 0/5 12
Facility Manager David Rice 20 30+
Caretaker Errol Brown 0/5 14
Caretaker Darren Teesdale 0/7 19
Caretaker Simon Simpson 0/3 9
Fig 20 Extracts from the Staff Skill Audit carried out in 2007
39

5.2.6 Horticulture
The work scheduled for the park covers a wide range of maintenance activity through out
the year with work load peaking during April and September when bowling green
preparation and renovation clashes with changing the bedding displays. An example of the
parks work content appears as an appendix to this plan and will be available for inspection
during the assessment.
A5.3 CONSERVATION & HERITAGE
AIM 5.3.1
To conserve the historic, natural and built character of the park
for enjoyment by the public.
5.3.2 Buildings and Structures
The maintenance and repairs of the buildings in Firth Park is arranged through the
council’s premises and Assets service that look after all the council’s property.
The services building inspectors carry out yearly assessment of building conditions and
outline a schedule of maintenance.
Property services also are responsible for the condition of all walls, fences and footpaths.
A yearly tarmac re surfacing programme is carried out across the cities parks and these
are prioritised, as they are often over subscribed.
The repairs are assessed using a set of criteria in order to priorities need these are based
on level of use and classification of sites.
The service operates an emergency repair works programme in partnership with Kier
Sheffield. Orders are routed through a call centre. Which also operates a 24-hour
emergency system.
5.3.3 Development
The north area parks officers are supported by a parks and countryside development
officer who assist with the development of facilities. The development officer has carried
out a number of small scale improvements in the park over the years including installation
of a youth shelter new seating and reinstatement of the small all weather football pitch
using Nott’s Turf and refurbishment of the tennis courts in to a multi games area.
A5.4 MARKET THE SITE APPROPRIATELY TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND
USAGE
AIM 5.4.1
AIM 5.4.2
AIM 5.4.3
To provide a programme of events appropriate to the park.
To provide interpretational and educational information and
services.
To increase usage of the park and its facilities.
The promotion and marketing of Firth Heritage Park starts with the preservation and
enhancement of the park reputation. The management plan has sets out to value the park
within the local area as a place which is relatively safe, clean, well maintained and
providing a range of community based facilities which will meet the needs of all age groups
within the community.
The recent development of the First Start Centre together with other improvements to
facilities demonstrates the long-term commitment to preserving and enhancing the parks
reputation.
40

Firth Heritage Park is featured along with other parks and open spaces on the Sheffield
city Councils web site and it is hoped to enhance the information about the park in the
coming months to have its own dedicated pages, which will be used to link in to an activity
and events calendar. It is our aim to regularly update the information, opening times of
facilities and provide management information.
The Friends of Firth Park have produced an information leaflet, which gives a brief history
of the park and outlines some of the key facilities. The leaflet is used at events within the
park or stalls operated by the friends group to promote the activities of the group.
We have seen a major increase in the number of friend’s group volunteers since 2003 as
additional facilities have been developed.
The parks and countryside service has its own email address
parksandcountryside@sheffield.gov.uk or call our main switch board on 0114 2500500
during office hours
5.4.4 Health Walk Rangers
The health walk rangers are based within the firth Start building and organise as series of
health walks through out the city. Heath walks are often held within the park as a starting
and finishing point for walks. A programme of walks are organised through out the year
and are attended by a cross section of the local community.
5.4.5 First Start Allotment project
The Sure Start allotment project allotment worker is based within the First Start centre and
uses near by allotments with a number of local residents
The project has linked in with the First start nursery on a number of themed day events
such as fruit growing and harvesting vegetables and locally grown produce which is then
used to prepare meals. The project has linked in to a number of health related initiatives
and has been well received by the local community. The allotment project will link in to the
development of the Sensory Garden, which will include herbs and medicinal plant types.
5.4.6 Ranger Events
The countryside rangers organise a number of workdays within the park working with the
friends groups and other local organisation. Improvements have included developing a
footpath route up Donkey Hill side, tree planting and bird box building. A series of other
activities are published within the ranger’s summer/winter programme booklet which is
published twice per year and which list all events across the city. A copy is available in all
city council buildings and Library’s.
5.4.7 Major events
The park hosts a number of major events throughout the year these include Fun Fairs and
Firth park gala. The park also stages the switching on of the Firth Park shopping centre
Christmas decorations, which include a winter fair, and events held in the park. The event
also includes a major firework display
5.4.8 Facility Pricing and Promotion
In a bid to make the park facilities accessible to all the city council considers that price
should not be a barrier to participation and therefore many of the facilities within the park
41

are free with the exception of Bowling and community room hire within the buildings. In the
case of room hire and bowling the charges are particular low or discounted.
Activity Price Status Charge
Crown Green Bowling
Casual per person per
hour
Concessions
Building Room Hire
Voluntary/local
community:
Training
Room 1
Training
Room 2
1 and 2
combined
Adult £2.00 Junior £1.00
Adult £1.50 Junior£0.70
Reception
Room
Park View
Per hour
Half day
Full day
£5.00
£13.25
£24.00
£5.00
£13.25
£24.00
£10.00
£26.50
£48.00
£7.00
£21.00
£34.50
£10.00
£26.50
£48.00
Non profit
making/charities/public
sector:
Per hour
Half day
Full day
£9.50
£26.50
£45.50
£9.50
£26.50
£45.50
£19.00
£53.00
£90.00
£13.25
£40.00
£66.50
£19.00
£55.00
£90.00
Commercial/private
sector:
Per hour
Half day
Full day
£13.25
£40.00
£66.50
£13.25
£40.00
£66.50
£26.50
£80.00
£133.00
£21.50
£64.00
£104.50
£26.50
£80.00
£133.00
Fig 21 Fees and Charges for Park facilities 2008/09
5.4.9 Customer Surveys
The park has carried out a number of user surveys during the last few years in order to get
feed back on services provided
The result of these surveys is included in Appendix to this plan
5.4.10 First Start Nursery Garden
The First Start building was designed to incorporate a 75 place children’s nursery with
three classroom spaces and its own nursery garden area, which provides space for a
range of educational and play activities. The garden contains a small water feature and
sand play area. The nursery garden looks out in to the park but is secure with wall and
mesh fencing supplemented by planting.
This area provides a safe and secure environment for the children
42

A5.5 ENSURE A HEALTHY, SAFE AND SECURE SITE FOR RECREATION
AIM 5.5.1
AIM 5.5.2
To provide a safe and secure environment for park users and
staff
To maintain a high quality standard of care for visitors to the
park
Firth Heritage Park offers a wide variety of opportunities for informal play, relaxation and
leisure pursuits in a safe and healthy environment. Staff on site are working hard to ensure
that the park remains safe to visitors at all times
5.5.3 Safe Equipment and facilities
One of the main benefits within the park is that it has a staff presence 7 days per week
through out the year. The park is the base for Gardeners and caretaking staff which are on
site from 7.30 each morning to prepare the building for the nursery use to last thing at
night following evening meetings and events. To achieve this caretakers work over a three
shift working pattern over the seven day period. In addition to this they patrol the park at
various times during the day as they prepare the bowling pavilion and Clock tower of
meetings. The caretakers are issued with Radio communications which link back to the
First start Building and can call for assistance at any time.
The caretakers also carry out the daily inspections and checking of the Children’s play
area including keeping the area clear of litter and rectify any damage immediately. The
park supervisors carry out daily safety checks through out the parks so that damage can
be repaired quickly.
The playground is inspected and documented each week to comply with the playground
British and European Safety standards. The playground fitters structurally inspect the play
area every eight weeks to check moving parts and structures. Each year the playground is
inspected by an external structural engineer who will carry out a detailed structural
inspection and produce a written report on the sites condition. The report also including
assessing the play value of the site and recommending future improvements.
All buildings are inspected each year to comply with the new fire regulations, building on
the site have been classified as follows level 1 Bowling Pavilion and the First start Building
and Clock Tower Level 2 Fire risk.
The first start centre has monthly building group meetings with all the key build users this
is to allow them to deal with management issues associated with the operation of the
building. The first start nursery carry out two-fire evacuation exercise each year as well as
weekly fire alarm checks.
The parks officer carries out a full site risk assessments of the Park and facilities each year
and an action plan is developed to deal with any risk identified
The Facility manager carries out Legionella inspection of showers and sinks to test water
temperatures; this is then recorded to ensure that all building water supplies are free from
the legionella bacteria. Examples of inspections are include as an appendix to this plan
43

5.5.4 Tree stock
Fig 22 View of Woodland
Hinde Common Wood is located on the eastern edge of Firth Park, approximately 3.5km
from the city centre in the parish of Grimesthorpe. It comprises 2 small blocks of woodland
separated by a public footpath. The woodland is bordered by Firth Park Lane to the north,
House Lane to the east and Firth Park Road to the west (Figure 1). The woodland forms
part of the larger Firth Park, which is one of Parks Woodlands and Countryside’s City Sites
as defined by the Parks Categorisation Strategy (2001).
The land falls from north to south and also (and more steeply) from east to west. The
highest point is located on the north eastern corner (110m a.s.l). The lowest point is
located on the south western corner (80m a.s.l).
The site is bordered by residential housing to the north and south and adjoins Firth Park
along the western edge. The B6086, Firth Park Road runs between the park and the
woodland. (Figure 1). The total area of the woodland measured using GIS mapping is
3.44ha.
The Trees and Woodlands Team, (Parks, Woodlands and Countryside) manage the
woodland.
The woodland does not benefit from any areas of archaeological importance. However a
Neolithic polished stone axe and fragments of Iron Age Quern Stones have been recorded
locally.
A Level 2 field survey, carried out in December 2001, recorded 7no. sites. These are
detailed in section 1.2.3(a).
The woodland was once part of a larger wood known as Brushes Wood, an ancient
woodland site (NAA 2001). However the current extent of the woodland is much smaller
than that shown on earlier Ordnance Survey maps. The western end of the original
woodland and the southern tip of Sub-compartment 539 have been split by Firth Park
Road and subsequent residential development.
44

Hinde Common Wood is heavily used by the general public. It is used extensively by dog
walkers and also by children, who have created a number of dens, swings and other
structures along the boundaries. However, undesirable activities including fly tipping,
(particularly along the boundaries shared with housing), vandalism and footpath erosion all
occur throughout. There is a comprehensive series of footpaths, although surface quality
varies considerably. There are a number of benches and signs. Access is generally good
as a number of the footpaths were upgraded in recent years.
The boundaries of the woodland are relatively secure. Metal railings (1.5m height) form the
boundary with Firth Park Road. A stone wall (1m height) secures the northern boundary
with Firth Park Lane whilst housing forms the southern boundary. The eastern edge of the
woodland is secured by a chain link fence (1.3m height), although in places, it is in a poor
condition. There are a number of gateways into the woodland, which are in contrast, not
secured. Most could easily be accessed by motorcycles (although no evidence was seen
at the time of the survey).
Hinde Common Wood has been included in the unitary Development Plan as a Site of
Scientific Interest (a non-statutory site of nature conservation interest). An ecological
survey was undertaken in June 2001 (M Bailey 2001).
The results revealed the woodland to be of low botanical importance. It’s small size,
isolation and high levels of disturbance were noted as detrimental to nature conservation.
However the woodland contained a species-rich understorey, a favourable canopy
structure and was found to support a wide range of bird life. Its’ value as an area of
natural ‘greenery’ within a densely populated area was also noted.
Hinde Common Wood forms part of a successful Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Award to
Sheffield City Council, "Fuelling a Revolution; the woods that founded the steel country",
organised in conjunction with the South Yorkshire Forest Partnership. This will provide
£800,000 over the next three years to support a wide variety of positive management
activities within 23 ancient woodlands within Sheffield. £10,230 of this money will be spent
directly on Hinde Common Wood. This will involve various capital and management works
over the next three years, including silvicultural operations, rubbish removal, boundary and
access improvements. Additional grant aid of up to £1,060 may also available for
education and interpretation including interpretation events and written interpretative
material.
Further tree inspections take place in the park during high winds to ensure that the area is
safe to users.
Details of the tree survey and inspections are included as an Appendix to this plan
A programme of tree re placement has been started during the autumn of 2006/7 through
out the park
5.5.5 A Secure Place
The open nature of Firth Park makes it impossible to secure the park so that it can be
closed at night. There are no dedicated street lighting within the park other than around the
First Start Centre and outside the Clock Tower. These two buildings are used during
evenings for community activities and events through out the year.
The First Start Centre. Children’s Playground, and car park at Hucklow Road and the
Bowling Green area Is covered by CCTV system which is operated by the facility manager
during the Day and then linked in to the council’s central security system during night time
45

periods. This system has been very successful in reducing damage and anti social
behaviour within the park and we are hoping to extend the system to cover the full park in
future years
The Gardeners based within the park all wear official council uniforms of Green with the
parks and countryside logo on sweatshirts all officers have name and identify cards.
The caretakers wear black trousers and blue shirts, with the First Start and Parks and
Countryside logo. All staff are issued with promotional cards giving telephone details of
service numbers should a member of the public contact them when they are out on site.
The care takers are issued with short wave radios so that they can be contacted at all
times. The gardener and supervisors have mobile telephones so that they can be
contacted at all times.
The bowling pavilion has an external telephone and the First Start centre has telephone
and public Internet access.
5.5.6 Vehicle Movement within the Park
Public Vehicle access in to the park is not allowed and all vehicle gates are locked and
secured.
Council maintenance vehicles are operated in the park subject to a code of practise which
will be available as an appendix to this plan.
In the case of events designated areas are determined and marked out together with
access routes. Full risk assessments for events are carried out and meetings arranged
with organisers prior to the event.
5.5.7 Health and Safety Policies
It is the City Councils and Parks and Countryside services duty to provide and maintain a
working environment which is so far as is reasonably practicable, safe, without risk to
health and adequate as regards facilities for the welfare of all its employees and visitors to
the park.
All staff and seasonal gardeners are given a full induction training, which outlines council
policies and procedures. Each employee is given a staff development plan, which is
assessed each year and forms the basis of future training needs. The service maintains
training and skills records for each employee, which is used as part of the employee
appraisal process.
All staff are give corporate training in Child Protection, Equality, Valuing diversity and
Customer care.
In order to comply with the control of vibration at work regulations 2005 Staff are monitored
for HAV and all equipment is tested and tagged which gives the vibration exposure times
and staff have to complete a weekly sheet which outlines the time they have spent on
using machinery.
The park also complies with the control of Asbestos at Work regulations 2002 regulation 4
and a register is kept by the facility manager who records all staff carrying out repairs to
buildings and infrastructure within the park.
The park also complies with the Pesticide regulations in respect of the use and application
of chemicals. Only registered and certificated staff are allowed to apply chemicals,
pesticides, and insecticides if they have PA1 and PA6 qualifications. No chemicals are
store within the park.
46

Caretakers and Gardens have been given training in relation to the working from height
regulations 2005 and all task are subject to a detailed method statements and operating
procedures.
Staff are given training on the use of grass cutting machinery and this is topped up as
machinery types are replaced.
All gardeners, Supervisors and caretakers have to be Criminal bureau checked to ensure
that they are able to work close to children
Safety at events is controlled by the Parks and Countryside Events officers who check the
suitability of the event and ensure that the applicant has the necessary liability insurance
cover and full risk assessments are in place before an event is given the go ahead
5.5.8 Control of Dogs
Dogs under control are permitted in to the park and the area is covered by the Dog Fouling
legislation. The city council Dog Wardens visit the park periodically to deal with persistent
offenders, enforcement and issuing fixed penalty notices. There is a number of dog waste
bins in the park situated on main pedestrian routes. These are emptied weekly through out
the year by Environmental services as the waste is classed as clinical Waste.
A5.6 TO MANAGE THE SITE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE POLICIES
AIM 5.6.1
To ensure a high quality site through sustainable policies
& Practices.
One of the parks and Countryside Service plan targets for 2008/09 is to reduce the
environmental impact and become more environmentally friendly in the way that we work.
This initiative is far reaching and aims to question and review how we are carrying out the
management and maintenance of our service and look at ways to reduce the
environmental foot print and make our actions more sustainable.
5.6.2 Pesticides
We have reduced the number and quantities of pesticide used across the city and in the
case of Firth Heritage Park have reduced chemical application to the treatments of hard
surfaces and path edges along key paths and the Hucklow Road car Park. We use
chemicals on the fine turf bowling green within the park to control Fusarium and moss.
5.6.3 Horticulture
We have reduced the amount of peat in bedding and have started to use recycled compost
for moisture retention when we change the bedding displays
5.6.4 Fertilisers
We have changed the type of fertiliser we us on the bowling green and have introduced
natural compounds which are more environmentally and easily broken down avoiding
contamination of water courses
47

5.6.5 Waste materials
All green waste generated in the Park is recycled off site one mile away in Concord park.
We have set up a green waste composting facility. Material is chipped and composted with
the waste stored in compost bays the material is then used as mulch or used as a soil
improver. This process reduces the need to transport material across the city and reduce
waste going to landfill.
5.6.6 Litter and other waste
We have introduced additional recycling facilities in the Hucklow Road car park and this
will allow the local community to bring glass, metal cans and waste clothing for recycling.
This proposal will allow the parks staff to start to separate litter from the litter bins in the
park to allow us to recycle glass and cans
This will reduce the quantity of waste we then have to send to land fill.
5.6.7 Energy Reduction.
The First Start centre has a number of energy saving schemes in operation including low
energy lighting; Computer controlled heating system, water recycling and additional
insulation of the building shell. The public toilets in the first start building are fitted with
light sensitive switches with turn on the lights when entering and automatically switch them
off when no one is using the facility
The bowling pavilion in the park has received a new roof during 2006/07 and this has also
had additional insulation fitted to reduce heat loss.
An environmental audit of the Firth Park Clock Tower has taken place during 2007 and an
action plan developed to reduce energy cost when the building is re decorated.
5.6.8 Water management
The small stream which runs through the park towards Cammel road is cleared out twice
per year to ensure that it can have an unrestricted flow in flood conditions Additional work
has been carried out to the stream outlet to help reduce the build up of water within the
park in flood conditions.
5.6.9 Vehicles
We have introduced during 2006/07 a range of dedicated machines for the park these
include a John Deere Gator Utility vehicle and John Deere Triple mower which run on the
latest EURO 3 Tddi diesel engines with low sulphur fuel we have also started to replace
small machinery which meets the latest noise and vibration standards.
48

Fig 23 Boiler Technology First Start
Fig 24 Park maintenance Vehicle
We have introduced clean Petrol for all small machinery items using Aspen Alkylate Petrol
which is free from Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene as well as Sulphur
and olefins which minimises the health risk associated with exposure to petrol exhaust
fumes for Gardeners who may be using the machinery over long period
A5.7 TO MAXIMISE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
SITE
AIM 5.7.1:
To involve the community in the management of the park and to
facilitate community use of the park and its facilities
Community involvement and public participation is essential to the long term success of
Firth Heritage Park the staff who work in the park actively encourage the involvement of
users and visitors in recreational and conservation issues and in the management and
development of the park.
The Friends group have been very successful since its formation in the late 1990s and
have driven forward a number of improvements in the park, which has resulted in greater
community participation and a sense of local pride within the area.
The management plan has acknowledged the level of public consultation which has taken
place in the park over the years in order to ensure that we have an understanding of local
need. A survey of users has taken place in the First Start building and café during 2006 to
ensure that we can amend the service delivery to meet the local community expectations.
5.7.2 Evidence of Community Involvement
The Friends of Firth Park meet each month with the First Start Facility manager and Parks
Supervisor and the meeting is attended by many of the user groups who use facilities
within the park. The Friends group also organise a range of events and activities within the
park and since they have been given access to use part of the bowling pavilion an number
of small scale events and activities have taken place over the school holiday periods
Regular meetings are held with the bowling club and the park caretakers attend daily to
collect fees. It is the long-term aim to further develop the bowling facilities including the
installation of automatic irrigation scheme.
The first start nursery also uses the park as part of the early year’s national curriculum
49

5.7.3 Firth Park in Bloom
The staff and park has played a central role in the success of the local communities’
involvement and entry in to the Yorkshire in Bloom Competition the entry has won a Silver
Standard within the competition in 2006, 2007and 2008. The park has featured as part of
the judging route and the first start centre has stage a number of exhibitions during the
week of the judging to demonstrate community involvement.
Since the areas involvement in the competition there has been an increase in floral
features within the park and central shopping area which has made a difference to the
overall quality of the area and given back some civic pride to the local area
A5.8 TO ENSURE THAT FIRTH HERITAGE PARK GROUNDS ARE EFFECTIVELY
MANAGED
AIM 5.8.1
To implement the newly revised and amalgamated 3 Year
operational plan and 10 year Development Plan.
In order to improve the standards of management and maintenance of the park a
ten year management and development plan has been developed the plan will address a
number of short term operational improvements and seek to identify external funding to
develop a number of major capital improvements to facilities and features within the park
A6. MANAGEMENT
The Parks and Countryside Manager has a city-wide remit and therefore carries overall
responsibility for the site. This then cascades down to the District Parks Officer (North)
Parks Officer North and the First Start Manager who will be dealing directly with the
management of the buildings and key features in the park on a day to day basis.
The Structure plan details all the relevant staff for which contact details can be found in
Part B1.
In addition to the parks management service:
• The Premises and Assets Section of Sheffield City Council’s (SCC’s) Development,
Environment & Leisure Directorate, maintain hard landscape features.
• Our Community Services section (which includes the Ranger Service), are also
responsible for consulting with any friends and user groups. The Ranger Service
also lead on community events.
• The Outdoor Events Team, work closely with the First Start Manager and site
Ranger to organise and facilitate the larger-scale events, which take place in
Heritage Park.
• The Trees & Woodlands Manager (city-wide remit) has responsibility for overseeing
the management of the site’s trees and woodlands.
50

Fig 25 First Park Signage at the Clocktower
Fig 26 View of Bowling Green look towards the multi games area
51

Firth Heritage Park – Management Structure
Parks and Countryside Manager
(Citywide responsibility)
Trees and Woodlands Manager
(City wide responsibility)
District Parks Officer
Gardener Supervisor
Parks Officer North
Ranger Team Leader – East
Firth Heritage Park Gardener x2
First Start Centre Manager
Health Walk Ranger
Caretaker x 3
First Start Partners
52

A7. MAINTENANCE
Firth Heritage Park is maintained by a number of different organisations. In summary:
• The park Gardeners undertake general maintenance in the park and are employed
by the Parks and Countryside Service.
• The Trees & Woodland Section oversees the management of the sites trees
• Large-scale grass cutting and some other maintenance elements are bought in from
Streetforce. Streetforce are part of the Development, Environment and Leisure
Directorate. Streetforce (Landscape Section) have a maintenance agreement with
the Parks and Countryside Service
• Specialist contactors or Kier Sheffield carry out other maintenance. Most
maintenance work was previously carried out by Sheffield Direct Services (Works
Dept.). In April 2003 Sheffield Direct Services formed a partnership with the private
company Kier and now operate under the name ‘Kier Sheffield’.
Area of Responsibility
Landscape
Trees and Woodlands
Buildings & Structures
Current Maintenance Posts / Sections
Park Gardener with support from North area team
Streetforce / external contractors
Woodland P/C Street force / external contractors
Kier Sheffield / external contractors (as instructed by
the Premises and Assets Section )
The full maintenance schedule is based on the Parks and Countryside Service system
known as ‘Confirm’, more details of which can be found later in this Plan (Part B4).
Fig 27 Formation of new Flower Beds
53

A8. MARKETING & PROMOTION
The SCC Media Team supports the marketing and promotion of Firth Heritage Park. An
officer within that team deals with all media and PR relating to the whole Parks and
Countryside Service.
• The Parks and Countryside Service Outdoor Events Team manage all large events
on an individual basis
• Events are advertised in a Ranger Events leaflet published twice a year, updated
regularly on the Parks and Countryside Service web page
Further details can be found in Part B6
Alongside the corporate marketing of the city’s green spaces, a marketing strategy specific
to Firth Heritage Park is being developed. This process assesses the current position,
identifies some key goals and allocates tasks to achieve these goals. Stakeholders to be
consulted in the development of a marketing strategy include:
• Friends of Firth Heritage Park
• The Firth park Bowling Club
• The First Start Nursery
• Sure Start at the First Start Centre
• Henrys at First Start Catering/Café Operator
• Firth Park Employees Gardeners and Caretakers
• North Sheffield PCT
• Park and Countryside Rangers
• Parks and Countryside Events team
Fig 28 Health walks through Firth Heritage Park
54

A9. FINANCE & RESOURCES
a) EXPENDITURE FOR THE SITE
Figures below are a summary of the rates in the existing grounds maintenance contract
and other current costs. Additional financial details can be found in this Plan (Part B.5).
Firth Park Budget staffing 08/09
Description Budget Notes
General salaries pay £53,000.00
General salaries National £1,900.00
insurance
General salaries
£9,300.00
Superannuation
General wages pay
General Wages National
insurance
General wages Superannuation
General wages casual
Wages Total £64,200.00
8.1.2 First park operational budget
Description Budget Notes
Grounds maintenance £2,600.00 Gang mowing by street force
Electricity cost £5,200.00 Bowling Pavilion and Clocktower
Gas £4,500.00 Bowling Pavilion and Clocktower
Water services £ 900.00 Meter cost
Cleaning of Buildings £6,100.00 Bowling pavilion and Clocktower
Window cleaning £ 400.00
Waste disposal £ 500.00
Other Services £4,000.00 Day to day Repairs
PBX Rental £ 100.00 Contribution towards alarm cost
Income
SUB £24,300.00
Service Tenancy £2,100.00 Clocktower service tenancy rent
Outdoor Sports £2,900.00 Bowling Facilities
Hire of facilities £7,700.00 Hire of Clocktower/bowling pavilion
SUB £12,700.00
Net budget £75,800.00
55

Firth Park First Starts Building Staffing 2008/09
Description Budget Notes
General Salaries Pay £39,200.00
General Salaries National £1,700.00
Insurance
General Salaries
£6,900.00
Superannuation
Wages Total £47,800.00
8.1.4 Firth Park First Start Building Operational Budget
Description Budget Notes
General Buildings £2,100.00 Day to day repairs
Electricity £1,200.00
Gas £7,100.00
Water Services £1,700.00
Rates £5,300.00
Cleaning of Buildings £18,300.00
Window Cleaning £ 400.00
Waste Disposal £1,200.00
Premises Insurance £1,500.00
Apparatus and Equipment £1,000.00
Materials and Supplies £1,000.00
Clothing and uniforms £ 200.00
Audit fees £ 800.00
Other Services £1,300.00
Fix Line Telephones £7,800.00
PBX Rental £5,600.00 Alarms and internet Access
Other £ 200.00
SUB £56,700.00
Income
Catering rights £4,000.00
Hire of Buildings £ 500.00
Recovered Costs £3,000.00
General users Rent £31,000.00
Recharges £38,100.00
Total income £76,600.00
Net Operating budget £27,900.00
56

INCOME
The partner organisations that use the first start centre for an office base are recharges at
the end of each year this charges out all operating costs as a proportion of space
occupied. Other smaller sources of income centre on events and other grants &
donations. However, events can have a net cost and should be viewed as adding value for
the park’s users, rather than as being income generators.
A10. MONITORING & REVIEW
This Management Plan forms an active agenda for managers and employees to
implement appropriate management techniques and methods to ensure the continued
success and a sustainable future for Firth Heritage Park.
The Plan is not intended to be inflexible but be dynamic, and accommodate new
information, altering circumstances, pressures, trends and processes whenever they arise.
Progress will be kept under active review throughout the course of the year via monitoring
at staff meetings, and in response to representation from stakeholders.
A10.1 EXTERNAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
Firth Heritage Park has been externally assessed as part of the wider community entry in
to Yorkshire in Bloom and has been awards a silver standard in 2006/2007/2008.
The park has also been internally assessed by officers based on the Green Flag judging
criteria during 2007
The Park submitted a Green flag application in 2008 and was award a Green Flag
Parks and Countryside Service, has recently been awarded Charter Mark accreditation. In
February 2007
A10.2 PUBLIC USE AND SATISFACTION
Park users are encouraged to give feedback to park staff either through the Friends of
Firth Heritage Park, directly to staff on site or through the SCC corporate feedback process
(know as “Tell Us What You Think”) This approach ensures that the Park continues to
meet user’s needs. The relevant leaflet can be found in Appendix D.8.
Additionally, Site Surveys and regular meetings with the Friends of Firth Heritage Park and
other stakeholder groups ensure that the management of the site remains receptive to
community and visitor needs.
A10.3 FUTURE CAPITAL PROJECTS
There are a number of key future capital projects identified for the park, which will be
carried out when external funding is in place over the life of the ten-year plan.
57

A11.Future Long term Proposals for the park
Open
Grassland
Clock Tower
and Hinde
Wood
Donkey Hill
and Cammell
Road
Zone One
Zone Two
Zone Three
The management plan recognises the principals identified in the work carried out by the
consultants who drew up the master plan in 2002/03, which zoned the park for future
development.
58

.
11.1 Top of the Park
First Start
Major improvements to this area were completed, as part of the development of the new
First Start Building, which has provided a range of modern facilities for park users and
improved facilities for maintenance operations.
The First Start Centre has provided
• The new multipurpose First Start building includes a café, terrace and public toilets
for the park. The building also houses a Parks and Countryside ranger team
including Health rangers, the facility manager office and base for the local Sure
Start programme, a nursery for 75 2/5 year old local children including class room
exhibition and training rooms some of which are used by local community groups
• A high quality entrance to the park from the Firth Park shopping centre with foot
path links to other housing areas
• A new entrance square with public seating and planting
• A new children’s play ground
• Multi Sports area improved during 2008
59

11.2 Illustrations – Top of the Park
The illustrations were produced to support the draft master plan, which went out to consultation.
They give an impression of how the area could look. Some of the detail of the entrance area
shown in the illustrations has changed in the final Master plan (exact layout of entrance area and
location of toddlers play area).
Park entrance from Shops
Improved bowling facility
New formal gardens
New youth space BMX etc
Top of the Park
These Sketches show the new entrance to the Park including the access to the first start
centre. The plans also outline the future development of the formal gardens including
seasonal bedding and sensory garden
To complete this area of the park the following will be developed over the coming
years
The existing Multi sports area will be further upgraded to include cricket, tennis and football
facilities with new fencing and gates and screen planting to reduce conflict with the
adjacent Bowling Green.
A new youth area will be created to help to integrate youth in to the park and provide a safe
controlled environment
Improve the bowling facility including the installation of Automatic irrigation and new seating
area
A sensory Garden with quiet areas to relax linked to the main footpath system and the
formal bedding displays was implement in 2008
60

11.3 The Clock Tower and Hinde Common
Wood
The redesign of this area aims to improve the
entrance in to the park, improve the linkage
between the two park areas, to create an
appropriate setting for the Clock Tower and
create new experiences in the area not found
elsewhere in the park, which will encourage
and increase park users to visit the area.
The design will build on the historical
importance of the Clock Tower, improve its
setting, re-establish its importance as a
gateway in to the park, and create a new,
related use for the old boating lake.
The Following improvements are proposed
Re-establish the Clock tower as an
entranceway in to the park and improve the
setting of the building in to the natural
landscape. Remove the recycling bins and
install disabled parking in front of the building
as well as improving the perimeter railings
Enhance the naturalistic planting either side of
Firth Park Road.
Improve the pedestrian safety along Firth park
road by introducing traffic calming and crossing
points linking in to the park and the footpath
network
Improve vehicle access to the Clock tower and provide areas of off Site Street parking
along Firth Park road by narrowing the highway
Improve the footpath woodland links in Hinde Common Wood to link in to the main Park
footpath network
Explore the feasibility of lighting the clock Tower building at night to act as a local feature
within the area
61

11.4 Impression of Clock Tower and Wetland Area
Redevelop the former boating lake to create and attractive informal wetland area with
small pools and boardwalks which can be used as and environmental educational
resource within the local area by schools
The woodland edge other than the ancient woodland to be developed and enhanced with
colourful naturalistic shrubs and woodland ground flora to create a woodland garden with
increased seating
Improve the draining of the woodland paths throughout the Hinde Common Wood
Demolish inappropriate brick boundary wall at the entrance to the clock tower garden
known as Bluebell Garden and replace with railings, which are more appropriate in
keeping with the historic design of the park.
Improve the drainage to Bluebell Garden and replant parts of the garden with more
colourful native and naturalistic planting
62

11.5 Donkey Hill and Cammell Road Entrance
The redesign of this area aims to
Build on the naturalistic qualities of
Donkey Hill and create a small park
Within a Park at Cammell Road
11.6 Cammell Road Entrance
The following improvements are
proposed
A new children’s play area to be located
near to Cammell road entrance this
would be fenced for dogs. The play area
to be of natural/ art features to
encourage informal play
There will be new low maintenance
colourful planting to add to the visual
interest and enhance the entrance. Work
will include screening of the adjacent
building walls and restrict the access to
the culvert
Improve the surface of the footpath and
seating along the main path
New access controls and signage
including new notice boards
11.7 Impression of Cammell Road Entrance
63

11.8 Donkey Hill and Stream Way
Connection to the top of the park enhanced through new planting extending out from the
valley towards car park. Planting to be colourful and naturalistic at the edges, becoming
more natural to match existing woodland mix into the valley and woodland
New seating along the path to over look the stream
Physical access to stream to be discouraged by new planting. Water quality is improving
following works carried out by Yorkshire Water
New fencing and screening to the Allotments with the construction of a new footpath link to
the allotment site and Hucklow Road Car park area
A comprehensive clean up of the stream
Resurface paths with bounded gravel finish
11.9 Open Grassland
64

The improvement s to this area retain the open character of the space, add visual interest
through enhanced planting, introduction of new seating for users to enjoy the views and
improve the footpath linkage to the Clock Tower
Reinstate the Firth Park round walk and enhance the woodland edge planting along the
ridge walk including addition of woodland ground flora, bulbs, flowering woodland edge
and specimen trees.
Develop new long season flowering meadow along Vivian Road boundary to increase
visual interest. Fit new seating along the ridge
Upgrade junior soccer pitches and restrict vehicle access off Firth Park Road
Part B.
ANNUAL APPENDICES
B1. ANNUAL STAFF & CONTACTS LISTS
A full list of staff and contacts numbers can be found in below.
SERVICE / POST NAME PHONE MOBILE E-MAIL
PARKS AND
COUNTRYSIDE
SERVICE
District Parks
Officer (East)
Parks Officer North
First Start Centre
Manager
Park Supervisor
Gardener
Gardener
Community Service
Section
North Ranger Team
Leader
Health Walk Ranger
Melvyn
Riley
0114
2734589
07974
943555
Paul 0114
07740
Tankard 2736954 835420
David Rice 0114
07966
2039300 807129
Richard Mobile 07966
Allen
806778
Andrew 0114
07740
Hudson 2039307 076896-
Shawn 0114
07740
Hague 2039307 076896
Simon
Dore
Gail
Griffith
0114
2403578
0114
2039337
07900
653232
07720
510303
Melvyn.riley@sheffield.gov.uk
Paul.tankard@sheffield.gov.uk
david.rice@sheffield.gov.uk
-
Outdoor Events
Officer
Kevin
Cheetham
0114
2736433
07802
299562
kevin.cheetham@sheffield.gov.
uk
Trees and
Woodlands Section
Woodland Manager
Community Tree
Officer (East)
Nick
Sellwood
John
Smith
0114
2736387
0114
2734156
07703
768776
07802
299564
nick.sellwood@sheffield.gov.uk
john.smith@sheffield.gov.uk
65

SERVICE / POST NAME PHONE MOBILE E-MAIL
PREMISES AND
ASSETS SECTION
Planned Minor
Works Manager
Management Officer
/ Security Services
Service Delivery
Manager
(Building
Maintenance
Management)
Management Officer
(Building
Maintenance
Management)
Technical Assistant
(Building
Maintenance
Management)
Steve
Adams
Richard
Megson
Bob
Mosley
Nigel
Marsden
Dave
Jacks
0114
2734060
0114
2734078
0114
2735832
0114
2735666
0114
2734055
07711
218802
07711
218805
07711
153659
07711
218806
stephen.adams@sheffield.go
v.uk
richard.megson@sheffield.go
v.uk
robert.mosley@sheffield.gov.
uk
nigel.marsden@sheffield.gov.
uk
- david.jack@sheffield.gov.uk
STREET FORCE
Assistant Area
Manager
Darryl
Dawson
Olive Grove 0114
2854760
darryl.dawson@sheffield.gov.uk
B2. GREEN FLAG POSITION STATEMENT
B2.1 PRESENTATION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Plan has been produced to:
• support & contribute to the aims & objectives for managing & maintaining this site
• monitor improvements to site management & customer service, based upon the 8
Green Flag criteria.
It is a dynamic document that guides the site manager and all those involved in achieving
the vision for the site.
66

B2.2 HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY (including RISK ASSESSMENTS)
All the maintenance and public usage of the site is carefully monitored for health and
safety. The main policies are as follows:
The full DEL Health and Safety Policy (2004-5) can be found at http://sheffield.net/yourdirectorate/del/del-policies/health--safety.
(Internal link for staff only) An A4 summary
document has been produced and included in Appendix D.1.
The Parks and Countryside Section undertakes annual site risk assessment, please see
appendix C3.
Further Health and Safety information, policy, procedures and guidance notes for staff is
available via Sheffield City Council’s (SCC’s) internal intranet system (as above) and our
service’s shared G Drive: at: G:\DEL\PWC\PWC\A-Z\H\Health & Safety
Additionally:
• Our Safe System for the removal of needles and syringes can be found in Appendix
D3.
• Dog walkers are frequent visitors to the park and Sheffield City Council (SCC)
welcomes and promotes responsible dog ownership. The site has four dog bins and
bags are available free of charge from the first Start Centre in the Park
• . SCC’s policy and practices relating to dogs can be found at
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/environment/how-we-work/environmental-serv/animalwarden-control/responsible-ownership
• Emergency contact numbers are displayed on the park notice boards.
• Cleaning equipment and chemicals are safely stored in the cleaner’s cupboard in the
First Start Centre in the Park. Fuel and machinery are securely stored in the Garage
with the required notices and procedures in place.
• The Rangers also store Equipment in the First Start centres garage area, which is a
secure room, which is only accessible by trained operatives.
67

B2.3 MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT BUILDINGS AND LANDSCAPE
Key procedures and practices:
• The First Start Centre, Bowling Pavilion and Clock tower are all maintained through the
Premises and Assets section of Sheffield City Council. This includes routine
maintenance such as Portable Appliance Tests, Fire Equipment Test, etc. as well as
ad-hoc repairs.
• All staff are trained in machinery use and routine daily maintenance, checking oil,
water, security of machine guards, etc.
• Machine faults are reported to Streetforce workshops where trained mechanics either
repair the fault on site or arrange to have the machine taken into the workshops. All
machines are given an annual service during the winter months
B2.4 LITTER, CLEANLINESS AND VANDALISM
• There are a number of litterbins within the park these have been positioned in areas
identified as litter spots through out the park and which are emptied daily or as
required.
• There area two dedicated Gardener on-site who undertakes regular litter picks and
reports issues of vandalism. Also the Caretakers for the First start Centre in the Park
undertake litter picks around the buildings and Playground and report any damaged
equipment in the playgrounds.
• There are dog bins on site, each are emptied twice per week by the dog warden team.
B2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
In terms of wider sustainable management, the current SCC Environmental Policy is
adhered to and can be found in Appendix D4.
This builds on policies related to the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). All the
service’s staff were given training on EMAS in 2000. The Service was EMAS audited in
2002, scoring well but with some scope for further improvement. The latter is currently
under review and development.
On a site-specific level:
• There is a site specific environmental policy for the First start Centre in the Park and
surrounding parkland together with actions for greater sustainability, see appendix C5.
This policy links directly to SCC’s broader environment policy and has been agreed by
all partners and stakeholders.
• The First Start Centre already has low water use toilets and taps installed.
• The Pesticide Policy and Code of Practice can be found in Appendix D.5. Pesticides
use within the site is kept to an absolute minimum and is only used for spraying around
path edges and obstacles. All staff handling pesticides are trained in their use to the
level required by the “Control of Pesticides” regulations 1986.
68

• It is SCC policy not to buy or use peat based products. The committee report passing
this recommendation, dated 1991, can be found in Appendix D6.
• During major thinning and felling operations, in the woodland areas, harvestable timber
will be sold and removed to help off-set the costs of operations and to make good use
of this renewable resource. Smaller timber is used for chipping or creating habitat piles.
B2.6 CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE AND NATURE
As discussed earlier (in A2.8), the site is covered by several designations, which in turn
ensure that the park’s future is assured.
• The woodland is now more actively managed to improve the age structure and
biodiversity of this section of the park.
• An events programme incorporating small and large-scale events promotes the
Heritage and Natural features of the park. This programme is created through a
partnership of Sheffield City Council, the Friends group and other local community
groups.
The Firth Park Leaflet outlines details of the park and provides visitors with information
and is available from the Reception in the First Start Centre.
B2.7 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
• Firth Heritage Park has an active Friends group helping to fund, plan and implement
both large and small-scale community based events. The Friends are working with the
First start manager and development officers and the North Area Ranger Team
support these events. Samples of the type of events and community engagement
exercises that take place within the park can be found as a download on our Ranger
website at:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/ranger-service
• The park is being used more and more by the local community both in an informal way
and through sport and other structured activities with links to Activity Sheffield’s health
promotion initiative and also through the locally based No Limits.
• The Firth Park Bowls club are based within the sports pavilion and use the bowling
greens for practicing and matches. The season runs from April to the end of
September. The green is often used by the Sheffield and District Parks Bowling
Association for Bowling Finals during late August and early September
• Our Outdoor Event Section manages large events and community requests for events
in SCC Parks. The aims and objectives of this section can be found in Appendix D.7.
• Comments on any aspect of Sheffield City Council’s work can be made via the
Corporate Feedback Leaflet: “Tell Us What You Think”. Further details can be found
in Appendix D8. The Tell Us What You Think leaflet is widely distributed to maximise
the general public’s opportunity to comment about all Council run services and is
available at the First Start Centre in the reception area.
69

B2.8 MARKETING
• During 2009, a marketing strategy for First Start centre will be developed in
partnership with the city councils Education and early years of Children’s services to
promote the centre and its activities. This marketing plan will be circulated around all
key partners using the building and the park
• Firth Heritage Park is a major ‘City’ Park and as such is the venue for a series of
events, e.g. Firth Park Festival and Firth Park Christmas fayre.
• A series of small-scale events, led by the Ranger Service also take place on the site.
• The Friends of Firth Heritage Park are looking to re-write and update existing leaflets,
although this is dependant on securing the necessary funding.
• Further information about the Park, Friends and events can be found in the reception
area of the First Start Centre.
Further details and updates are available via our website at
B2.9 OVERALL MANAGEMENT
• The on site day to day management presence in the park is provided by the First Start
Facility manager and caretakers who act as a central contact points for complaints and
enquires for park visitors and user groups.
• Best Value was introduced to Sheffield City Council in April 2000, replacing
Compulsory Competitive Tendering for grounds maintenance.
• Where specialist contractors are required, tenders are normally invited for the work
from companies who are included in the Council’s relevant list of preferred contractors.
The Corporate Contracts Consultancy Team in DEL approves this list.
• Any associated contract specifications which have been drawn up between the Parks
and Countryside Service and the Contracts Consultancy Team include a wide range of
contract clauses related to methods of work, health and safety, insurance, protection
of environmental features, etc. Each individual project tendered includes a detailed
specification of work required, including timescales.
70

Firth Heritage Park
Sheffield City Council
Green Flag Award 2008
Feedback Report
Band scores
Desk
Assessment
Field
Assessment
Overall
score
0-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-30
20-29 30-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-70
30-44 45-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80+
Desk Assessment Feedback
Band score 20-24
Field Assessment Feedback
Band score 45-49
Status - Pass
Overall band score 70-74
71

Desk Assessment Feedback
Assessment Criteria Strengths Recommendations
Presentation
The plan is very well written and in general very Actions
good
Re format the management plan and
Health, safety
and security
Maintenance
of equipment,
buildings and landscape
Litter, cleanliness,
and vandalism
Environmental
Sustainability
Generic as per Norfolk and Cholera Plans
The maintenance schedule provides reasonable
information relating to the maintenance of the
site
All seem to be dealt with appropriately in the
plan, Regular maintenance schedule and
procedure for dealing with major problems
Building has lots of information
72
standardise on font styles
May not be criticizing enough to show problem
areas of the site
Action
Include details of incident logs and vandalism
records in plan
Information looks ok in the plan
Action
Made improvements to the action plan and
added more detail
Information is limited ,providing the minimal
amount of information in respect of this matter
Action
Include more details of cleanliness and litter
schedules in the plan
Details of volumes and amounts removed and
more details of dog fouling policy in the park.
Details of litter picking events and campaigns
Information is limited ,providing the minimal
amount of information in respect of this matter
Action
We have had an energy audit of the
building by the Sheffield City Council
Energy Unit and will include the reports
recommendations in the action plan.
We are hoping to explore the use of
environmentally friendly cleaning products
in the building in 2008.

Conservation of Heritage
and Nature
Community Involvement
Marketing Strategy
The plan details the need to maintain the
heritage of the site
A good sample of events being held
Marketing of the sits is generic throughout the
Sheffield Councils Parks
We are looking to address ways in which
we can decrease energy consumption and
the production of waste, our challenge is
the First Start and buildings within the
park are being used more.
We would like to see the ideas developed and
more details as to progress of the aims
Action
Restoration of the historical park lay out
included within the revised management plan
starting with the restoration of the round walk
within the park and conservation of the
Heritage woodland
We would liked tom have seen details of and if
numbers of users have increased
Action
It is proposed to develop an events calendar for
the park linked back to the web site
The marketing of the site is very generic,
specific information relating to firth would be
beneficial
Action
We have included provision within the plan to
up grade the Friends group brochure and the
development of an events calendar for the park
will enable us to market and promote a series of
Firth Heritage Park events
Overall Management Seem to be good Continue the good work
73

Field Assessment
Band Width Score 45-49
Field Assessment Criteria Strengths Recommendations
A welcoming Place Parking for both the new centre and Park Main car Park has a number of differing types of
fencing as this used to be the old play area,
Galvanised finish power coating vertical bar bow
top and timber post and rail.
Notice boards are cheap with no protective cover
so notices get wind blown, wet and torn off
No welcome sign with contact numbers or web
details
Map would be good for the park and woodland
Action
We have put in place a three year fence
programme to standardise the fencing in the
park
We have included the up dating of the notice
boards within the park
We have included welcoming details within all
buildings in the park including contact details
and web details
We have included interpretation map boards in
the plan for the next two years
Health safe and Secure
Main areas were clean and well swept, depot
locked compound neat under the building
74
Footpath around the old bowling green in poor
condition and needs surfacing and tree roots
pushing macadam up
Lower entrance around notice board differing
surface difficult to manovers wheelchair
Top entrance of the wood mound of macadam
needs removing suggest use of bollard
Benches in park need back rests
Hammer staples in to sleeper steps to reduce
slipping possibility

Clean and well maintained
Sustainability
Conservation and Heritage
Grass cutting and horticultural maintenance
good standard. Herbaceous beds to front
look great, need to get established
Building was probably one of the best
examples I have seen, Light sensors, with
designed with the environment in mind, Did
not see any use of weed killer on path edges
etc bonus
Donkey hill left to nature, plans afoot to
install circular footpath linking park to area
75
Water flowing over pathway in woodland needs
attention
Action
We have included both paths on the tar
macadam programme.
We have introduced a bench standard for the
park
We will be carrying out the safety work for
woodland paths as recommended
Additional drainage works in woodland included
in this years programme
Patch of grass next to bowling pavilion looking a
bit tatty cut very short from being very long.
Grass in Nursery garden need re patching
Woodland as a bit over grown in places lots of
self seeding trees need to carry out thinning
works
Some graffiti spotted but not a major problem
Action
Grass areas outlined included in 2008 work
programme
Nursery garden grass to have netting
reinforcement and re turfing
Woodland work included in future work
programme
Plants bought for summer and winter bedding
contained peat, suggest alternative growing
media
Action
We are carrying out trials with plant supplier to
reduce the quantity of peat in growing media
Windows need cleaning in the clock tower,
curtain on slant made it looked as if no one cared

Community Involvement
Marketing
Management
Additional comments
business centre. Plans to refurbish the
boating lake sometime in the near future.
Clock tower used for weddings
Good Friends of group in existence prior to
new building erected. Working well within
the in Bloom group
Rangers do a splendid job in promoting the
park to local user groups provide a booklet
with event dates etc very good
In general the management plan is being
adhered to by all parties involved in the site
Notice boards were ok Way markers very
good
Action
Clock tower scheduled for re decoration and new
fittings in Nov 2008
Friends Group need to be encouraged to seek
further external funding to fund projects
Action
Friends group have focused future energies on
gaining funding for round walk footpath and
additional youth facilities
Possible radio coverage of events very good
continue with current regime
Continue the good work
Map of park and welcome signs would be good
76

B3. MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN
CRITERIA 1 - WELCOMING PLACE
Topic Task 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Lead
Signs
New signs for Vivian road and Parks Officer
Hucklow road with new finger
post at four locations within
the park
Car park signage Clocktower
Interpretation signage top of
Donkey hill
Disable route signage around
path system
New interpretive Signage’s in
Woodland
On Going
Notice Boards Up grading of all notice boards
within the park including
provision of one new notice
Facilities Manager
Seating
board at the Clock tower
Install additional seating within
the park and woodland with
seat backs for disabled users
On Going
Parks Officer
Replacement of seating in
Bowling Green area
Parks Officer
Parks information
Information Board in First Start
Centre outline Parks Service
Complete
Completed Facilities Manager
Community Clean
ups
Number of events held within
the park and woodland
On Going
Woodland Officer
77

CRITERIA 2 - CLEAN & WELL MAINTAINED
Topic Task 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Lead Officer
Bedding Displays Move bedding displays on to Completed Parks Officer
lawned area
Completed
Seniority Garden
Shrub Beds
Develop sensory garden in
to existing First Star garden
entrance area
Up grade shrub beds and
planting
On Going
Parks Officer
Parks Officer/Park
Supervisor
Bowling Green
Bowling Green
Bedding Displays
maintenance
Donkey Hill
maintenance
Install new bowling green
Parks Officer
channels
Install Automatic irrigation Parks Officer
Up grade temporary fencing
Parks Officer
and re fence the back of the
pavilion
Up grade after care of
Completed Parks Officer/Park
bedding displays and Completed
Supervisor
standards of grass cutting
around the beds
Develop new maintenance
standard for grass area
Parks Officer/Park
Supervisor
Stream
maintenance
Increase maintenance
frequency to clear out
stream
Parks Officer/Park
Supervisor
Play area
Increase the number of litter
bins within the play area
Completed
Completed Parks Officer
78

Topic Task 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Lead Officer
Dog Bins
Increase the number of Dog
Bins within the park by 3
units
Weed and Mulch all shrub
On Going
Shrub Beds
beds
On Going
Youth shelter Re paint once per year
Completed
Parks Officer
Completed Parks Officer/Park
Supervisor
Parks Officer/Park Super
Litter picking
Increase litter collection
during peak weekend
Periods
Completed
Parks Officer
Hedging
Tennis Courts
Gap up hedging behind
bowling pavilion and develop
new herbaceous boarder
Re-fence and re surface
courts for cricket/tennis
Parka Officer/Park
Supervisor
Development Officer
Basket Ball area Remark out and sweep
Completed
Completed Parks Officer/Park
Supervisor
Woodland/car park
Boundary Fencing
Repairing and re-painting
Completed
Completed Woodland
Officer/Premises
Woodland Paths
Path around old
bowling green
Repairs to tarmac paths
On Going
Woodland
Officer/Premises
Vermin Treatment
Control of Rats in Woodland
areas
On Going Woodland Officer
79

CRITERIA 3 - CONSERVATION & HERITAGE
Topic Task 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Lead Officer
Ecology Survey Carry out a ecology
survey of Donkey hill
prior to development of
new maintenance regime
City Councils Ecology
Officer
Woodland Survey
Clock Tower Garden
Carry out an energy
audit of all buildings in
the park
Woodland Tree Risk
assessments
Up date woodland
survey of Hide Common
Wood
Carry out increased
maintenance of the area
to allow it to be used as
part of the Clock tower
Use specialist to carry
out energy efficiency
survey
Carry out a risk
assessment of woodland
On going
Completed
On Going
Woodland officer
Facilities manager
Completed Facilities Manager
Woodland Officer
Woodland areas
Tree safety work to
reduce risk
Completed
Completed Woodland officer
Woodland paths
Up grade steps within
the woodland path
network
Completed
Completed Woodland Officer
Woodland Steps
Up grade with anti slip
measures
80

CRITERIA 4 - MARKETING
Task Task 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Lead
Web Site
Up date and establish a
dedicated page for the park to
outline facilities
Completed
Completed Facilities Manager
Leaflets
Up date and produce new
promotional leaflet
Friends of Firth
Heritage Park
Facility Hire
Develop a marketing plan for
First Start building
Facilities
Manager/Education
Local Promotions
Events
Programme
Up date all notice boards
within the park on a weekly
basis
Establish a site specific
events programme for the
park Events Calendar
Facilities
Manager/Caretakers
Parks Officer/Facilities
Manger
Link in to
Rangers Activity
Programmes
Activity Sheffield
Develop a range of activities
within the park
Develop a sports programme
for the park
On Going
Parks Officer/Facilities
Manager/Rangers
Facilities
Manager/Activity
Sheffield
Friends Group
Develop a programme of
summer and school holiday
activities in the park
On Going
Friends of Firth
Heritage Park
81

CRITERIA 5:- HEALTHY, SAFE & SECURE
Topic Task 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Lead officer
Perimeter Fencing Hucklow Road
Completed Facilities Manger
repaint/Repair fencing Completed
Car parking Re paint main car park Facilities Manger
Car Parking Mark out First Start Centre Completed Facilities Manager
Staff car park
Completed
CCTV
Extend the coverage of the
CCTV system in the park to
cover Donkey Hill and the
Facilities
Manager/Premises
Assets
Clocktower
CCTV
Including additional
Facilities Manager
signage
Playground Install additional signage Facilities Manager
Clocktower parking Designate the parking
Facilities Manager
outside the Clock tower for
Disabled users only. Mark
out and re sign
On Going
Clock Tower Repainting all internal of
Facilities Manager
the building and up grading
internal signage
Bowling pavilion Up grade alarm system. Facilities
Manager/Premises
Assets
Bowling pavilion Install new furniture tables
Facilities Manager
Bowling Pavilion
Lighting
Park fencing
and sating
Up grade lighting to
pavilion external areas for
winter use of pavilion
Main path to camel road
entrance
Repairs to all damaged
panels
Completed
Facilities
Manager/Premises
Assets
Development Officer
Completed
82

CRITERIA 6 - SUSTAINABILITY
Topic Task 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Lead Officer
Building Efficiency Carry out audit of bowling Completed District Parks
Audit
pavilion and Clocktower Completed
Officer
Pesticides
Recycling
Review use of pesticides
used in park
Establish new community
recycling facility
Competed
District Parks
Officer/Parks Officer
Completed Facilities Manager
Green Waste
Recycling
Increase amount of waste
recycled from litter bins
Parks Officer
First start
Recycling
Increase quantity of waste re
cycled from building users
On Going
Facilities Manager
Reduction of Peat
Reduce the
Emissions on
maintenance
vehicles and
mowing machines
Protection of
Accent woodland
Establish round
Walk Footpath
network
Reduce the amount of peat
based products used and
move to natural methods
Introduce Low sulphur
Engines on all new
equipment
Carry out selective work to
tree stock to maintain and
preserve natural woodland
habitat and regeneration
Increase footpath network
within the park to facilitate
addition exercise activities
On Going
On Going
Parks Officer
District Parks
Officer/Parks Officer
Woodlands Officer
Development Officer
83

CRITERIA 7 - COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Topic Task 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Lead Officer
Friends Group Develop a number of Projects
for the friends group to carry
out
Parks
Officer/Development
Officer
Friends Group Carry out visitor or use survey Facilities Manager
Local Schools
Establish links with local
schools to use the park for
events
Facilities Manager
Sure Start
Allotment
Project
Review links to the allotment
project
On Going
Facilities Manager
First Start
Nursery use
Look at use of park By First
start nursery
Facilities Manager
Firth park In
Bloom
Continue to play role in future
competition entries
On Going
Facilities Manager
Partnerships
Develop the partnership with
local group to develop a range
of activities and events for the
park
Parks Officer
84

CRITERIA 8 - MANAGEMENT
Task Task 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Lead officer
Management Plan Develop management plan
further and review each year
On Going
District Parks
Officer/Parks Officer
Grounds
maintenance
Develop maintenance plan for
the site and amend as new
facilities are developed in the
park
On Going
District Parks
Officer/Parks Officer
Non User Survey
Identify hard to use residents
and carry out survey
Parks
Officer/Facilities
Manager
Woodland
Management
Identify additional funding to
protect and enhance the
Accent woodland
Woodlands Officer
85

B4. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE PLAN
a) Southbank Confirm
The Parks and Countryside service employs the CONFIRM Environmental (Southbank
Systems) CONFIRM is a suite of ICT products designed for the maintenance and
management of all environmental assets, including, grounds, trees and playgrounds and
property. The system’s Customer Services module is also utilised to track and monitor
service responses to all customer contacts made by telephone, letter, email etc.
Maintenance Contracts, Schedules, Rates and Site Works are generated using the system
and our maintenance staff/ contractors receive work tickets, as appropriate.
Fig B4.1: CONFIRM System Site Record relating to Firth Heritage Park
The Park’s Manager and site staff hold relevant copies of the paper printouts and
reports relating to the maintenance of the site, which are generated via the system.
Further details of the sites maintenance are included in appendix C6.
86

) Maintenance Programme
The following is a summary of the proposed maintenance for Firth Heritage Park and has
been developed through consultation.
ITEM FREQUENCY RESPONSIBILITY
Standard cut grass Once/2 weeks P&C SERVICE
Gang mow area Once/2 weeks P&C SERVICE/SF
Bowling Greens Daily P&C SERVICE
Fine turf areas Weekly P&C SERVICE
Cut grass-Hover mower Once/4weeks P&C SERVICE
Ecology areas- Forage Annually
P&C SERVICE/SF
Harvest
Cut grass strimmer Annually P&C SERVICE
Spray grass perimeter Annually P&C SERVICE
Spray obstacles Annually P&C SERVICE
Clip & clear grass
Once/4 weeks
P&C SERVICE
perimeters
Weed channels
4 occasions/year
Shrub bed maintenance 2 occasions/year P&C SERVICE
Cut Beech hedge Once/year P&C SERVICE
Cut Hawthorne hedge Twice/year P&C SERVICE
Weed Flower beds Weekly P&C SERVICE
Maintain Nursery garden Weekly P&C SERVICE
Spray footpath perimeters Once/year P&C SERVICE
Spray footpath surfaces Twice/year P&C SERVICE
Empty litter baskets Twice/week P&C SERVICE
Playground maintenance Daily P&C SERVICE
Mini Football pitches As required P&C SERVICE/SF
Maintain bulb areas Various P&C SERVICE
Empty dog bin Twice/ week P&C SERVICE/ ERS
Paint railings & gate Once/5 years P&A
Maintain Key paths Once/10 years P&A
Remove graffiti As required P&C SERVICE/SF
First Start in the Park
As required
P&A
building maintenance
Tree pruning As required P&C SERVICE/SF
Lighting maintenance As required P&A
Litter, glass & needles As required P&C SERVICE
In addition to the maintenance of the Park, the building receives maintenance form both on
site caretakers and SCC Premises and Assets section. Minor repairs and maintenance
issues are undertaken by the caretakers whilst larger issues are reported to Premises and
Assets who then arrange for a contractor to undertake repairs. Premises and Assets also
programme annual fire equipment and portable appliance test and a five yearly repainting
programme for the Centre and the Park’s infrastructure.
87

B5. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE BUDGET PLAN FIRTH HERITAGE PARK
A) REVENUE
2008/09
The revenue maintenance expenditure/allocation for 2008/09,
£75,800.00
B) CAPITAL
2008/09
The Capital expenditure 2008/09 is £
Construction of new footpath to re-establish round walk 50,000
Re decoration of Clocktower internal areas 10,000
2009/10
Anticipated revenue/ capital expenditure 2009/10 is yet to be confirmed
88

B6. ANNUAL MARKETING & PROMOTION PACK
Following is just a few examples of information used to promote the site
WEBSITE LINKS
Examples:
SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL WEBSITE
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/parks/a-z-city-district-
-local--parks
FRIENDS GROUP WEBSITE
Sheffield in Bloom
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/environment/sheffield-in-bloom
FIRTH PARK EVENTS
PRINTED MATERIALS
LEAFLETS
• Available from the First Start Centre in the Park
IN THE NEWS –
SHEFFIELD STAR PRESS ARTICLES ARCHIVE
Sheffield Fayre – August 2006
http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1117161
89

PART C. - APPENDICES SITE RELATED
C1
C2
BAND A REPORT
FIRTH HERITAGE PARK MASTER PLAN
C3 SITE RISK ASSESSMENT
C4 BARRIERS TO USE AUDIT
C5 FIRTH HERITAGE PARK ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
C6 MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
C7 FIRTH HERITAGE PARK ECOLOGICAL REPORT
C8 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORK PROGRAMME
C9 FIRTH PARK CHARITY REPORT
C10 GARDENERS INDUCTION PACK
C11 SEASONAL GARDENERS INDUCTION PACK
C12 LEGIONELLA TESTING DOCUMENTS
C13 FIRST START CENTRE FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT 09
C14 BOWLING PAVILION FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT 09
C15 CLOCK TOWER FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT 09
C16 PARKS AND COUNTRYSIDE SERVICE PLAN
C17 PARKS SECTION PLAN
C18 PARKS NORTH AREA SERVICE PLAN
C19 PARKS NORTH AREA ACTION PLAN
C20 CONSULTATION FRAMEWORK
C21 SURE START STORY
C22 FIRST START EDUCATION PROCEDURE
C23 EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS PROCEDURE
C24 FRIENDS OF FIRTH HERITAGE PARK NEWSLETTER
C25 FIRST START CAFÉ HEADS OF TERMS
C26 FIRST START CAFÉ FOOD HANDKLING PROCEDURES
C27 SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL CUSTOMER CHARTER
C28 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
C29 PERFORMANCE MONITORING FRAME WORK
C30 DEL RACIAL HARASSMENT PROCEDURE
C31 RACIAL INCIDENT REPORTING FORM
C32 CORPORATE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
C33 CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYEE LIABILITY INSURANCE

C34
C35
C36
C37
C38
C39
C40
FIRTH PARK MACHINERY INVENTORY
WEED ALL ABOUT IT WORKFORCE COMMUNICATIONS
INCIDENT INVESTIGATION FORM
ACCIDENT REPORTING FORM
FULL SITE RISK ASSESSMENT
SAMPLE OF OPERATIONAL RISK ASSESMENTS
DRIVER CODE OF CONDUCT
(Appendices will be available on site during the site visit)

C2 FIRTH PARK MASTER PLAN
• Master plan Site Map
• Master plan consultation
(Appendices will be available on site during the site visit)

C7 Firth Heritage Park Ecological Report
Appendix C7 extracts from the work carried out as part of Heritage lottery bid.
(Appendices will be available on site during the site visit)

PART D. - SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL APPENDICES
The Appendices listed below are available as a single download from our
website
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
DEL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
SAFE REMOVAL OF NEEDLES AND SYRINGES
BYELAWS (via our website link)
SCC ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
SCC USE OF PESTICIDE POLICY
SCC USE OF PEAT POLICY
SCC EVENTS SECTION AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
CORPORATE FEEDBACK LEAFLET – TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
Website Link To Part D Appendices