Leisure and Recreation Development Plan ... - Wiltshire Council

extended and improved riverside walks, recreational and play facilities, cyclewaysand managed access to the Green Lane Wood nature reserve.11.10 Land adjacent to Paxcroft Brook has also been planned as a country park inassociation with the development of Paxcroft Mead. It provides river corridorenhancements as well as meeting the recreational needs generated by the residentialdevelopment in the form of an easily accessible area for walking, cycling and otherinformal recreation. The "village green" also provides a facility for sports and otherevents. The completion of the western and eastern sections of the park are requiredas part of allocated housing developments.11.11 Southwick Country Park comprises 61 hectares of gently undulating countrysidelocated between Trowbridge and Southwick. The park provides informal recreationopportunities for walking and picnicking. The District Council has been reviewing itsoptions for developing the country park into the future. Although a number of otherrecreation uses have been investigated, the District Council considers that at thistime, the most sustainable option is to maintain the current uses on the site. TheCouncil has decided to make some improvements to signage and picnic areas forvisitors and provide for better maintenance of hedges and countryside managementto encourage biodiversity and wildlife habitats. There is currently insufficient demandfor golf courses, showgrounds, camping or caravan park or cycle sports facilities.There are better locations in the local area for sailing, BMX / skateboarding and pitchsports, for which there is demand. In the longer term, the Council will retain theopportunity to develop golf or another large land use.11.12 Barton Farm Country Park is a 15 hectare countryside facility bounded by the RiverAvon and the Kennet and Avon Canal at Bradford on Avon. Wiltshire County Councilowns the park and, working with the local community, has developed a series ofvisitor attractions and opportunities for walking, picnicking, rowing, fishing, naturestudy, etc. The County Council is investigating how to improve the infrastructure andenhance the wildlife areas. There is potential for improving public access to the riverand in particular for those with mobility needs.11.13 Country parks will be developed in consultation with the Environment Agency toensure that the efficiency of floodplain corridors is maintained, flood storage providedfor and that the ecological character of any riverside walkway is conserved andimproved in an appropriate manner. Further consideration will be given to theestablishment of Local Nature Reserves within such parks where appropriate.11.14 The District Council recognises the importance of the current public access and useof Longleat Estate and woodlands for recreational purposes and notes that theLongleat Estate has produced an Estate Plan which includes a number of recreationproposals likely to come forward during the Plan period. Any such proposals will beconsidered against development plan policies.38