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Feedback Wanted to help save Rochdale’s ‘Hidden Gem’
Date published: 23/08/2005
The friends of Healy Dell are seeking feedback from locals about controversial plans to build homes on the area. The regionally known nature reserve located between Rochdale and Whitworth is said to be a ‘hidden gem’ on the tourist map with great beauty and historical importance, therefore various surveys are being given out to collect a public opinion.
So far there has been an Access Survey and a Community Consultation carried out by Mersey Basin Trust, with the aim to show how much people value the Healey Dell as a nature reserve, and how they would like to see it developed sensitively to enhance historical and ecological features.
These ideas have been given a boost by the publication of the Wildlife Survey and the Archaeological Assessment. The Wildlife Survey was carried out by Lancashire Wildlife Trust, which last carried out comparable surveys in 1976 and 1987. The key findings included a considerable increase in plant species, mammals, butterflies and fish. The report made recommendations that Healy Dell is a site of special scientific interest, which would give it a higher level of status and protection.
The Archaeological Assessment was carried out by the University of Manchester, which looks at the sites of several textile factories dating principally from the 17th century to the 19th century, the major families involved, and has a range of maps, dating mainly from the 1840s.
This report notes that the overall level of available documentary material is high, “although one area which is at present relatively poorly represented in the known documentary sources is the WWII Royal Ordnance Factory”. For this reason Friends of Healey Dell would like to ask people to come forward with any memories about this period.
They would also like any other memories from the post WWII period, especially with regard to the railways. Did you ever take the train through Healey Dell? Did you have any friends / relatives who worked on the railways there? Do you have any special memories of playing, working or leisure pursuits in the Dell?
If you have any information, please contact Clive Belgeonne 01706-645347, or email clive@gn.apc.org
So far there has been an Access Survey and a Community Consultation carried out by Mersey Basin Trust, with the aim to show how much people value the Healey Dell as a nature reserve, and how they would like to see it developed sensitively to enhance historical and ecological features.
These ideas have been given a boost by the publication of the Wildlife Survey and the Archaeological Assessment. The Wildlife Survey was carried out by Lancashire Wildlife Trust, which last carried out comparable surveys in 1976 and 1987. The key findings included a considerable increase in plant species, mammals, butterflies and fish. The report made recommendations that Healy Dell is a site of special scientific interest, which would give it a higher level of status and protection.
The Archaeological Assessment was carried out by the University of Manchester, which looks at the sites of several textile factories dating principally from the 17th century to the 19th century, the major families involved, and has a range of maps, dating mainly from the 1840s.
This report notes that the overall level of available documentary material is high, “although one area which is at present relatively poorly represented in the known documentary sources is the WWII Royal Ordnance Factory”. For this reason Friends of Healey Dell would like to ask people to come forward with any memories about this period.
They would also like any other memories from the post WWII period, especially with regard to the railways. Did you ever take the train through Healey Dell? Did you have any friends / relatives who worked on the railways there? Do you have any special memories of playing, working or leisure pursuits in the Dell?
If you have any information, please contact Clive Belgeonne 01706-645347, or email clive@gn.apc.org
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