LGS

 

Leamington Spa Green Spaces Designation – evidence list

1. Name and address of site:

The Dell, off Warwick Place, Leamington Spa, CV32 5BJ (postcode of nearest house).

 2. Description and purposes:

The Dell is a small park some 4m below street level, with an area of approximately 0.432ha. All four sides slope down at various gradients to a flat grassy area at the bottom. Each slope is covered by trees, bushes and some cultivated flowers and shrubs. There are pedestrian access points and paths down from Warwick Terrace at both the north eastern and the south eastern corners. A vehicular access exists in the north western corner from Beauchamp Hill. The purpose of the Dell is the provision of a tranquil oasis of greenery for the enjoyment of people of all ages from the local community.  

 3. Quality of facility (including any deficiencies):

There are no buildings on site and hence no toilets or other service amenities. Apart from that the Dell is a green space of very high quality. The northern end is generously provided with play equipment for children including the original swings, a small slide for toddlers, a roundabout, a seesaw, two different sorts of rockers, a balancing walkway and a large slide for older children. In addition there are two picnic tables. Much of this equipment was installed in 2012 funded by a Big Lottery grant administered by Community Spaces. At the southern end is a basketball hoop. The intervening space is unobstructed grass allowing for informal children’s games or for use during events such as the annual Dell Party. There are eight seats distributed around the perimeter of the grassy area.

 4. What community is served by this green space e.g. geographic area, groups of people or whole town?

Local residents of all ages who live within walking distance of the Dell.

5. How far is the site from the community it serves – is it within 2km of the local community?

The local community live right next to the Dell and those who use it regularly and arrive on foot probably live within a 2 km.  radius.  

6. Are there any barriers to the local community accessing the site from their homes?  No.

(if yes, detail what those barriers are)  

7. Is there a need for this green space in this location? e.g. is there a shortage of accessible green space in that area, is it a new build area with no attached greenspace?

The need is demonstrated by the numbers of people, children, families, the elderly, who regularly come along to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere and its play facilities.

8. Evidence to show this green space is “demonstrably special to the local community”

a) Evidence of support from local groups:

Who? e.g. sports clubs, youth groups, churches, Friends of…groups, residents associations	What? e.g. letters, surveys, social media
Friends of the Dell	http://dellpark.blogspot.com/
The GALS (Gardening Around Leamington Spa)	http://dellpark.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_29.html See also http://www.dellpark.demon.co.uk/archive_2012.htm (Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service)
Dale Street Methodist Church	http://www.dellpark.demon.co.uk/archive_2012.htm (Community Picnic - “Jumping for Joy”)
Leamington in Bloom	http://dellpark.blogspot.com/p/archives.html (Visit of Heart of England in Bloom Judges in 2009, 2011 & 2012)
The Leamington Society	http://www.dellpark.demon.co.uk/archive_2012.htm (Leamington Society Award)
Leamington History Group	“The Dell” a history by Robin Stott of LHG
Triangle Nursery	Letter of support to RLS Town Council
Kingsley School	http://dellpark.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_22.html (Photographs from the first Dell Party)
Trinity School	http://dellpark.blogspot.com/p/down-in-thne-dell-2014.html  (Music Festival report)

b) Evidence of support from individuals:

Who? e.g. councillors, MP, headteachers, users	What? e.g. letters, surveys, social media
Annabel Rainbow (Leamington in Bloom & GALS)	Letter to Leamington Spa Town Council
Cllr. Bill Gifford (Friends of the Dell)	Letter to Leamington Spa Town Council
Ann Lewis (Friends of the Dell)	Letter to Leamington Spa Town Council
Rosie Scares (Treasurer, Friends of the Dell)	Letter to Leamington Spa Town Council
Jim Dean (Chair, Friends of the Dell)	Letter to Leamington Spa Town Council

c) Evidence of support from other relevant groups:

Who? e.g. CPRE, WWT, C&RT, Historic England, RSPB, GP surgeries	What? e.g. letters, surveys, social media
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust	Family Bat Nights annually from 2012
The Courier	Article about the Dell, 21st September 2018

9. Evidence that this green space has particular significance because of its beauty:

a) Is this criterion relevant to this site?  Yes

b) Why does the community feel that this site is beautiful?  

The Dell is especially noted for its magnificent mature horse chestnut trees on three sides which make a splendid display of “candles” in May about the time of the annual Dell Party.  Other trees include oak and silver birch. As a result of the GALS’ voluntary “guerrilla gardening” since 2005 the north and east slopes present a delightfully eye-catching display of flowers and ornamental shrubs from spring right through till autumn.   The whole site is small enough to be appreciated in its entirety from most vantage points as a beautiful little park.  

c) Site visibility – is it easy to see this site from a public place? Are there long distance views of it? Are there views from any key locations?

Good views along the length of the Dell can be enjoyed over the railings from the public pavements on Warwick Place and on Beauchamp Hill. Passers by on the west side of Warwick Terrace will get interesting glimpses of the park as they walk alongside the hedge. 

 d) Does this site contribute to the setting of a historic building or other special feature?

No. 

e) Is the site mentioned in literature or art?

Not to our knowledge. But Robin Stott of the Leamington History Group and a Friend of the Dell has written a booklet on its history

10) Evidence to show that this green space has historic significance in or to Leamington Spa:

a) Is this criterion relevant to this site?  Yes

b) Are there any historic buildings or remains on this site?

There are no buildings now, but in its early days as a public park there was a “summer house” at the north end built when it was still in private hands from stones that  came from the demolished “pepper pot chapel” which stood at the corner of Church Hill and Milverton Terrace.  Some carved pieces of stone from the same source can still be seen forming the retaining wall on the upper side of the pedestrian path at the north eastern corner.

At the southern end just below the modern pavement can be seen evidence of the old bridge across the Dell constructed to provide a shorter and safe route for carriages travelling to Warwick in the mid 19^th Century. A better view of the old arches, now blocked in, can be seen on the other side of Warwick Place if you go down to the area in front numbers 2-12 New Brook Street.

c) Are there any important historic landscape features on this site? e.g. hedgerows, ponds, trees etc

The Dell itself is a historic feature. It is below street level because it was the “fine romantic dell” mentioned in early 19^th century guide books as the course of the Milverton (or Bins) Brook which rises in Lillington and flows into the River Leam near the Adelaide Road bridge. The brook was culverted from Kenilworth Road all the way to the Leam in the 1850’s as a consequence of the outbreak of cholera in 1849.  

d) Did this site play an important role in the historic development of Leamington Spa? e.g. listed buildings, war memorials, ancient monuments   

No, except insofar as it formed the boundary between the parishes of Leamington and Milverton because the gradients of the original sides of the water course were too steep to support building development.

e) Did any important historic events take place on this site?  

Not as far as we know. 

f) Do any historic rituals take place on this site? e.g. well dressing, maypole dancing

No.

11) Evidence that this green space is significant for its tranquillity:

a) Is this criterion relevant to this site?  Yes

b) Do you consider this site to be tranquil? e.g. any roads or busy areas close by 

The Dell is surprisingly tranquil given the traffic on Warwick Place at its south end. Its low elevation and surrounding trees and bushes provide wonderful sound proofing.

12) Evidence that this green space is significant because of its richness of wildlife:

a) Is this criterion relevant to this site?  Yes

b) Is the site formally designated for its wildlife value? No  

c) Are any important habitats or species found on site? e.g. protected species, priority habitats etc

Assuming this question refers to flora, we are not aware of any protected species of plant or priority habitats.

d) What wildlife can be found/seen on this site?

Bats live under the eaves of houses on Albany Terrace and Warwick Place overlooking the Dell. They can be seen flying over the Dell at dusk during the late summer and early autumn.  Two bat boxes are affixed to trees in the Dell and there is a large bat “refuge” on the gable wall of no. 6 Warwick Place.

Several species of butterflies have been spotted including speckled wood, holly blue and painted lady. The usual range of garden birds can also be seen and heard.

13) Evidence to show this green space is significant because of its recreational value:

a)  Is this criterion relevant to this site?  Yes.

b) Is this site used for playing sport? It is not used for formal sporting fixtures such as football and cricket matches as the site is too small, but it is regularly used by youngsters, teenagers and whole families for casual games of football and cricket. There is a basketball hoop at the south end which is popular.  

c) Is there a play area on this site?  Yes

    Is it well used by local residents? Yes

d) How long has this site been used for informal recreation by the local community? (if possible, give  a year) 

Since it was opened as a public park in 1948.

14) Does this green site hold a particular local significance for any other reason? 

The Dell is the venue of the annual Dell Party run by Friends of the Dell, and in recent years we have run a Music Festival as well in late June or July. In early September, if the weather is good, we hold a Family Bat Night in conjunction with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. Dale Street Methodist Church have used the park for community picnics. On one occasion in the late 90’s the Dell was the venue for a musical performance in the Warwick Music Festival. The Friends have occasionally sponsored events run by other organisations and individuals to raise money for charitable causes. The Dell is just the right size for these kinds of events with good acoustics and an intimate atmosphere, with room for an audience of up to 400.