The Padiham Heritage Appraisal - Burnley Borough Council

6.6. Landmarks, views, greenspaces and trees6.6.1 The River Calder is the area’s main focal point. There is a small river viewing areaadjacent to Padiham Bridge which affords attractive views of Padiham town centre above thenorthern riverbank. Looking east downriver from Padiham Bridge, 117-119 Burnley Road risedramatically from the bank but improvement to the appearance of the rear of properties couldenhance this view. Bendwood footbridge also affords fine views of the river. The footbridgeover the less prominent Green Brook offers interesting views of a more enclosed, industrialcharacter framed by the arch of the adjacent stone railway bridge (Plan F).6.6.2 The railway embankment affords panoramic views of the surrounding townscape,particularly as it rises towards the southern end of the character area. Bridges add furtherinterest by providing visual pinch points. Within the housing area, alleyways and narrowspaces between blocks combine with topographical changes to create interesting views andperspectives (Plan F).6.6.3 The gridiron, high density layout of housing provided little opportunity for openspaces or the retention or planting of trees or landscaping. As a result the disused railway lineis now the principal greenspace and recreational amenity within the character area in additionto being its major landmark (Plan F).6.6.4 Potential public spaces exist where redevelopment has not occurred followingclearance. The car park and grassed area on Hambledon Street created following thedemolition of part of the street in the 1960s is the largest. The grassed area lacks imaginativeafter treatment in the form of landscaping, planting or provision for public use (e.g. seating).The space is now partially enclosed by the backs of houses on Pendle Street and BurnleyRoad which were not designed for public view.6.6.5 Other sites which could benefit from some sympathetic landscaping include spacearound the flats at St James Place and the small car parking area between Hambledon Streetand Hapton Street, created by the demolition of Cross Bank Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.6.6.6 Today there are only a few mature trees within the grounds of Woodthorpe andStockbridge House (which are protected by Tree Preservation Order (TPO)) and at therear of the County Primary School (not protected). There are a number of vandalised treesamong scrubby vegetation along the railway line. Garden space introduced with more recentdevelopments has provided some extra greenery and associated biodiversity value within thecharacter area.View from Padiham Bridge showing potential forimprovements to rear of properties on Burnley Road.Car park and open space at Hambledon Street.68 heritage appraisal