16 September 2009
A team of creative consultants from WYG have helped to transform a derelict colliery and tip into a beautiful country park in
The £7 million country park in Frickley has become a reality and has been officially opened by chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Sir Bob Kerslake, Housing Minister Rt Hon John Healey MP, Chairman of Yorkshire Forward, Terry Hodgkinson and Chief Executive of Wakefield Council, Joanne Roney.
WYG is an established international company with based in 12 countries.
David Crichton-Miller, Managing Director, WYG Environment Planning Transport, said: “Our imaginative consultants worked together providing a wide range of advice to secure planning approval in order to create the Frickley country park that the local community are able to enjoy today.
“We took a proactive approach at putting the future users of the park first, while providing a sustainable development for the community. Our team provided expert planning, transport, ecological, landscape, archaeology, drainage and ground conditions advice to Wakefield MDC and Renaissance South Yorkshire.
“One of our main aims was to reflect the rich colliery history of the 85ha site. To achieve this, our landscape designers worked with the natural land form and designed sculptures which demonstrated the park’s history. Our ecologists wanted to retain and enhance the natural habitat, so wherever possible existing vegetation and waterbodies were used in the new design of the Park, as well as numerous new habitats being created,” he added.
The WYG transport team also identified ways of limiting the impact of the new park on the existing roads in
Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive HCA said: “Our aim was to forge a creative partnership with the local community to deliver a permanent legacy for the enjoyment of future generations. WYG helped us achieve this with their practical services and advice. In particular, their landscape designs have captured the history of the park whilst blending with the natural vista.”
WYG is continuing to work with the HCA at Frickley, providing planning, transport and environmental services, on its future developments particularly the new residential development.
