North Staffs Rewilding Needs You!

 

Thank you for your interest in community development. Allow us to introduce North Staffs Rewilding: Dedicated activists committed to transforming unused urban areas around Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-Under-Lyme into beautiful green spaces that serve the needs of our diverse neighbourhoods. Our campaign is an action-oriented approach to the climate and ecological crises through the planting of trees, meadows and community gardens. One of our shared beliefs at NS Rewilding is that the threats to global biodiversity ushers a bleak future. 40% of UK species have declined since the 1970s. I’m sure you’ll agree that’s a staggering figure. Through habitat destruction; unsustainable agricultural processes and climate change; species that we rely upon for valuable ecological services are going extinct. Our goal is to introduce biodiversity into urban environments so that you benefit from these services.  The value of vacant land in our cities is often overlooked in terms of addressing the problems we’re facing today and we believe that local people, leading community projects, are best equipped to provide benefits to their friends and families.

North Staffs Rewilding was created, from the ground up, with the idea of community engagement at its core. We believe that involving the community in building its future makes that future more valuable to its individuals and, therefore, more sustainable. We have identified council owned land, 25 Oliver Road, that is currently in a state of tarmacked abandon. This is a brilliant space for a community project as it brings together neighbourhoods of different socioeconomic backgrounds and bridges together the beautiful green spaces already present in Penkhull such as the adjoining park and The Croft. Furthermore, with the Royal Stoke close by, we think rewilding this site would provide an excellent sanatory space for both care staff and patients to relax at a time when we are all grateful for our National Health Service and the sacrifices of its workers during the pandemic.  Randolph Conteh, councilor for Penkhull and Stoke Ward, has stated that “Proposed development for high-end privately rented apartments was...subsequently discounted [due to] drainage issues below the land”. We’re excited to tell you that this land can be released to community ownership if a plan for community driven development is provided. As a stakeholder, we would greatly appreciate your involvement in the project so that the site becomes a space you can use and from which you benefit. North Staffs Rewilding holds a vision for the site based on a variety of themes and goals we’d like to see.

Map of 25 Oliver Road

Current state of 25 Oliver Road

 The root of our plan for 25 Oliver Road is planting and designing for wildlife and people. For us, this means identifying plants that not only look attractive or bear fruit but also have indirect benefits through supporting species such as bees and hoverflies. Defra 2018 biodiversity indicators show that since 1976, the habitat specialists butterflies index has fallen by 77% and The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology has determined that 33% of the 353 wild bee and hoverfly species across the country are in decline. Our goal is to increase the population of pollinators in urban environments so that vital pollination of our crops continues into the future. Through careful gardening decisions we believe we can work toward this long term goal while also offering direct benefits such as growing local food. Herbs such as sage, mint, rosemary and thyme and trees like crab apples will feature in the community garden to satisfy these dual purposes. Nectar rich flowers such as lavenders, cornflowers and hardy geraniums will attract even more bees. Our sustainability conscious salvage team, reusing found and donated materials will build habitat ‘bee hotels’. We selected these specific plants because they can be sewn and planted in planters and boxes and therefore we wouldn’t need to commit to digging up the laid tarmac. The site also has the capacity for crops such as radishes, lettuces, beetroots.

Sketch of wildflower planters made from upcycled materials

Stoke-on-Trent is suffering from a pollution crisis both in terms of greenhouse gasses and combustion products: the average fine particle pollution levels exceed WHO limits by 20%. Such high levels risk the spread of respiratory illnesses in the community. Addressing such fundamental, societal issues is, unfortunately, far beyond the scope of this project, but we can bring attention to the problem by planting tree species like waxy conifers that actively disperse and depose particulate matter. On a small scale, by planting these trees adjacent to the road it will limit the pollution in the garden, making it a healthier space.

The uncertainty and stress prevalent during these times due to the pandemic and economic recession requires creative solutions. Our nearby care workers risk their own health daily to care for the Covid-19 patients. Rewilding enables us to create spaces that offer an escape from the hardships of day-to-day life. ‘An ecological study investigating the association between access to urban green space and mental health’ (Nutsford et al. 2013)  found “that decreased distance to useable green space and increased proportion of green space within the larger neighbourhood were associated with decreased anxiety / mood disorder treatment counts in an urban environment”. One of the main themes we’d like to explore in a community garden is the importance of mental health: secluded spaces to have a quiet lunch, benches to watch the wildlife, getting active with gardening and bright colours throughout the planting and upcycled structures will create a calming atmosphere. Fundamental to this theme will be accessibility; ensuring that all members of the community, with different needs, can access the positive benefits of the project. We want to incorporate raised beds full of plants that provide a multitude of sensory experiences along with structural decisions such as wide paths and plentiful seating.

Structure moodboard

Colour moodboard

Central to the space will be an art installation that ties in the themes of health and gratitude. We’re lucky to be working alongside a metal worker who is designing a sculpture dedicated to thanking NHS essential workers. We think that this piece could bring together communities under the common recognition of the sacrifices made and lives lost fighting Covid-19.

Talking to Councilor Randolph Conteh and exploring the site, we realised that we have to be imaginative to solve water access issues. Waterways and drainage channels could not only be a functional part of the design but also add to the calming atmosphere; solutions could feature as attractive components of the green space. Our team is also considering building a pond to improve the biodiversity of the site, encouraging dragonfly, damselfly, pond skaters and amphibians as examples. A pond would not only benefit conservation and improve the aesthetics of Oliver Road, but also aid in the control of pests such as slugs.

Waterways moodboard

 

We want to hear what is important to you; the exciting part of this project is that we can take it in any number of directions. We’re here to listen because our ultimate goal is to build something that can be enjoyed. Which of our goals grabbed your attention? Is there anything in the plan that you think could be improved on? Do you have any fresh ideas? Please complete this survey so that our plan can be amended with your impression of what North Staffs Rewilding can do for 25 Oliver Road. We look forward to hearing from you!

Jade Taylor and Jonathan Senn
North Staffs Rewilding Co-ordinators