Buckshaw Village

infobox UK place
latitude= 53.68361
longitude= -2.66464
official_name= Buckshaw Village
map_type= Lancashire
population=
os_grid_reference= SD562210
shire_district= Chorley
shire_county= Lancashire
region= North West England
country= England
post_town= CHORLEY
postcode_district= PR7
postcode_area= PR
dial_code=
constituency_westminster= Chorley

Buckshaw Village is a new residential and industrial area between the towns of Chorley and Leyland in Lancashire, the original area of Buckshaw being part of Euxton. It is one of the largest urban development sites in the North West of England. It is the largest brownfield regeneration scheme in the whole of Europe.

History

The new development is taking place on the former site of the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Chorley, and covers several square kilometres. The area of land was known as Buckshaw, before it was requisitioned by the MOD in the 1930s. There are two listed buildings in this area that the ROF had a duty of care over, the smaller Old Worden Hall, which has recently been redeveloped by the Maysand Group [Maysand Ltd (2004) [http://www.maysand.co.uk/case_studies_more.asp?id=%7B172A6B23-680B-414C-903A-DD57DAD77709%7D "A passion for restoration : Old Worden Hall, Leyland, Lancashire"] , Maysand Case Studies, www site, accessed 3 May 2007] this was the ancestral seat of a branch of the Farrington family, who later built and moved to Worden Hall in Worden Park, Leyland as well as Buckshaw Hall which was built in the 1650s for the Robinson family [Chorley Historical and Archaeological Society (2007) [http://www.boyd.harris.btinternet.co.uk/hist/sys2004.htm "Chorley Halls"] , list no. 24, www site, accessed 3 May 2007] .

ustainability

The village is being developed in line with sustainable development principles and aims to transform a brownfield former munitions site. All landscaping is designed so that no earth is transported off-site Lancashire County Council (2007) [http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/ltp/2006/html/section_16911637935.asp Local Transport Plan Delivery Report] , www site, accessed 26 June 2007] with the stripped top soil now present in mounds dotted around the village. A trial scheme is in progress which uses recycled garden waste combined with sandy clay loam to produce compost [Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) (2007) [http://www.wrap.org.uk/downloads/Case_Study-_Using_Compost_in_Land_Restoration_Makes_Good_Commercial_Sense.24af239b.pdf Case Study] , www site, accessed 26 June 2007] . The compost is then spread over the mounds to produce woodland areas and green public spaces.

The transport strategy also incorporates sustainable principles with cycle lanes and public transport included in the masterplan. Improvements to the neighbouring M6 and M61 junctions have also been made. Public transport is also catered for by the new Buckshaw Village railway station that will be built.

Designing for storm water drainage run-off uses sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) which ensure no discharge leaves the site into neighbouring water courses. Measures include roadside verge soakaways and the use of retention ponds which are fully integrated into the landscaping.

Amenities include a village centre (developed by Eden Park Developments Ltd) with shops and all-weather sports pitches with future plans including a primary school and medical centre. Planning permission was approved in February 2007 for a community centre which will also provide office facilities for the local police.

Industry / Commerce

Two halves of the development are separated by a major new road called Central Avenue. To the west is an industrial and commercial centre known as Matrix Business Park. [Matrix Park (2007) [http://www.matrixatbuckshaw.com/ "Home page"] , www site, accessed 3 May 2007] Planning permission [South Ribble Borough Council (2007) [http://www.southribble.gov.uk/agendas/2007/Area%206%20-%20Leyland%20East/26-02-07/14(b)%20-%20Planning%20Apps%20-%20Decided.pdf Planning Application Decisions] , www site, accessed 5 May 2007] was granted in January 2007 for Buckshaw Village's first pub. The Pub which is owned and run by Marston's was named the Bobbin Mill, and is situated in Plot 1000B [Matrix Park (2006) [http://www.matrixatbuckshaw.com/index.php/content/view/32/51/ "Masterplan"] , www site, accessed 3 May 2007] of Matrix Park, which opened on 7th April 2008.

Another major road named Buckshaw Avenue has been built running West-East through Buckshaw Village connecting Central Avenue to the A6. Buckshaw Avenue opened to the public in May 2007.

Plans were announced in February 2006 for a new industrial development called Revolution Park [Helioslough (2007) [http://www.helioslough.com/revolutionpark/ "The Revolution"] , Home Page, www site, accessed 3 May 2007] by property developers HelioSlough (a joint venture between Helios Properties plc and Slough Estates). The 30 hectare site is accessed via Buckshaw Avenue and is situated in the south-east portion of the Buckshaw Village site. This is adjacent to the 2½ hectare plot occupied by Lex Auto Logistics' new distribution centre completed in late 2006.

Another commercial development by Helioslough called Buckshaw Link [Helioslough (2007) [http://www.heliosproperties.com/buckshawlink/ "Buckshaw Link"] , Home Page, www site, accessed 6 May 2007] is scheduled for land west of Revolution Park. A number of warehouse and industrial units are planned with convert|4|acre|m2 of land set aside for a pub, hotel and car showroom.

Housing

Up to 2000 new housing units are being built by various housebuilders including Redrow, Barratt Homes, Persimmon and Rowland Homes. The homes are mainly targeted at the family market but many of the new homes are also specifically aimed at first-time buyers with measures such as shared ownership schemes. Additionally, a joint venture between the Hica Group and Caddick Group sees the construction of a new retirement village designed to accommodate 200 homes aimed at over 55's. This will be situated to the west of Central Avenue adjacent to BAE Systems.

There is also an eco-friendly village built in conjunction with scientists from University of Manchester, who are testing various experimental and environmentally friendly principles. The homes will use a variety of energy sources, from geo-thermal and solar power to wind energy. The scheme is now a show village after opening on 25 May 2006.

Transport

Road connections nearby include the motorways M6 and M61, as well as the A6 and A49 roads. A new railway station originally due to open in December 2008 but which has now been delayed until April 2009 [ Gee, C. (2007) [http://www.chorleycitizen.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.1614561.0.delays_for_new_rail_station.php] , "Chorley Citizen", Online local news, 13 August 2007, www site, accessed 4th Sept 2007] is proposed on the Manchester to Preston railway line between Leyland and Chorley, ensuring that the area will be very popular to new residents and businesses. The new railway station will be situated opposite Runshaw College.

A bus service run jointly by John Fishwick and Stagecoach offers connections to Chorley, Leyland and Preston on route number 109.

The developers of Buckshaw Village have incorporated an extensive cycle network into the masterplan and were awarded the 2005 Sustrans National Cycle Network Award for Excellence for Developer Infrastructure. [ Lancashire County Council (2007) [http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/ltp/2006/html/section_168154355541.asp Local Transport Plan] , www site, accessed 4 May 2007] Buckshaw Village forms part of the National Cycle Route 55 of the National Cycle Network.

Divisions

Buckshaw Village is currently split with sections in three Parish and Borough boundaries. Matrix Park and much of the north west side of the village is in Leyland (i.e. South Ribble Borough Council) with a few homes on the Eastern side when built falling within the Whittle-le-Woods parish boundary. The majority of the homes will be in the parish of Euxton as part of the Astley & Buckshaw Borough Ward. Both Euxton and Whittle-le-Woods Parish Councils fall within Chorley Borough Council.

It is understood Chorley borough will adopt all of Buckshaw Village within its boundaries once the development is complete with the village perhaps eventually having its own parish council.

Buckshaw Village Community Forum

An online community forum was developed by local residents for local residents in February 2008. The forum has already been a great success with contributors ranging from residents to local councillors and representatives of CPM.

The forum can be found at [http://www.buckshawvillage.com]

References