martholme viaduct : facilitating public access · martholme viaduct : facilitating public access...

Martholme Viaduct : Facilitating Public

Access

Design & Access Statement incorporating Heritage Statement

May 2017

Martholme Viaduct : Facilitating Public Access Design & Access Statement incorporating Heritage Statement May 2017

About Sustrans

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VAT Registration No. 416740656

Report number: NW20-B30-RE-01

Revision number: -

Purpose of issue Planning & Listed Building Consent

Date issued: 30 May 2017

Author: Jenny MacDonald

Checked: Will Haynes


Table of contents

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Rationale ...................................................................................................................................... 1

3 Description of development ......................................................................................................... 3

4 Heritage Statement ...................................................................................................................... 4

5 Ecology ........................................................................................................................................ 7

6 Policy Context .............................................................................................................................. 7

7 Access ......................................................................................................................................... 8

8 Further information ....................................................................................................................... 8

Appendix A – Schedule of Planning Application Documents

Appendix B – Martholme Viaduct Listing Entry

1 Martholme Viaduct : Facilitating Public Access Design & Access Statement incorporating Heritage Statement May 2017

1 Introduction

1.1 This Design and Access Statement incorporating Heritage Statement has been produced in

support of a Planning submission and Listed Building Consent application for the removal

and re-erection of fencing on Martholme Viaduct in order to facilitate public access to the

deck of this Grade 2 listed structure to enjoy the commanding views of the local area

available from this high vantage point.

1.2 This development includes works to remove existing 2.0 metre high palisade fencing from

the southern end of the viaduct, currently preventing public access to the structure from the

Mill Lane Greenway on adjoining land. It is proposed to re-erect the same fence at the

northern end of the structure in order to prevent access being taken to or from adjoining

land but to enable open access to the deck of the viaduct by the public.

1.3 The principle of this development has been discussed with Ribble Valley Borough Council

and Hyndburn Borough Council with a pre-application site meeting on 30 June 2016. The

boundary between the boroughs follows the course of the River Calder that flows beneath

the viaduct. Ribble Valley Borough Council have confirmed they are the planning authority

for this application.

1.4 This Planning Application is for engineering works comprising the re-erection of fencing as

described.

1.5 The application fee associated would be £195.00, being calculated based on the

engineering works comprising an area less than 0.1 ha (32 m²) and being in one local

planning authority area (Ribble Valley Borough Council).

1.6 A Listed Building Consent application is being submitted to Ribble Valley Borough Council

1.7 This Planning and Listed Building Consent application is being submitted by Sustrans, a

leading UK charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle.

1.8 Martholme Viaduct is owned by Railway Paths Limited (RPL) a sister charity to Sustrans.

2 Rationale

2.1 Lancashire County Council has previously developed a permissive bridleway for horses,

cycles and pedestrians on a part of the former Great Harwood Loop Line railway formation

between Mill Lane and Martholme Lane. At present there is no access to Martholme

Viaduct and access from the level of the former railway formation to Martholme Lane is

achieved through the use of a lengthy flight of steps. Views across the Calder valley are

available from the existing path, but are restricted by the woodland that has developed on

the former railway formation around the existing path.

2.2 At present a palisade fence is erected across the southern end of the viaduct. It is not

known exactly when the fence was erected though it has been suggested it was erected to

prevent access at the time of the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in 2001.

2.3 At present there is no boundary fencing at the northern end of the viaduct. Although the

adjoining landowner has excavated a part of the depth of the former railway embankment

making access difficult we are concerned that having no boundary structure on the viaduct

itself would potentially lead to access being taken to or from the adjoining land which the

landowner does not currently wish to permit.


2.4 In order to enable public access to the Viaduct and thus enjoy the wide and varied views

available from this high and clear vantage point we propose to remove entirely the current

south end fence and to re-erect it at the northern end of the viaduct structure to provide a

secure boundary to the adjoining property. Typical views from the viaduct are shown in

figures 2.1 and 2.2 below.

Figure 2.1 – view to the west from viaduct Figure 2.2 – view to the east from viaduct

2.5 Figure 2.1 below show the existing permissive bridleway from Mill Lane to Martholme Lane.

The Viaduct is shown in red. Currently there is no public access onto the viaduct.

Figure 2.3 – Location of Martholme Viaduct and existing permissive bridleway between

Mill Lane and Martholme Lane, Great Harwood (inset shows sign board for the path)

Mill Lane

Martholme

Lane

Great Harwood

Martholme

Viaduct

Existing permissive

bridleway

Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2017


2.6 Informal consultation has been undertaken with the owner of the property adjacent to the

northern end of the viaduct. This has highlighted concerns about their properties being

accessed by people traversing the viaduct confirming the need for security style fencing in

order to give adequate comfort to the landowner that access will not be available to or from

the viaduct off his land.

3 Description of development

3.1 Sustrans is seeking Planning Permission for the following works:

Re-erection of the existing 2.0m high steel palisade fence from the southern end of the

viaduct (OS Grid Reference SD 75109 33788) to the northern end of the viaduct (OS Grid

Reference SD 75206 33951). The fence will be located 2.0m from the northern end of the

viaduct deck. The fence will be supported on posts set in concrete foundations within the

grassed surface of the viaduct deck. The fence will not be affixed to the parapet walls. The

fence will be finished with a brush applied gloss black paint.

3.2 Figures 3.1 to 3.3 show details of the existing fence. It will be re-erected in a like-for-like

manner with the pedestrian gate located centrally within the fence. The pedestrian gate will

be locked. The gate is being retained in order to provide a safe means of access to the

remaining section of viaduct north of the fence for maintenance purposes.

Figure 3.1 – View of existing 2.0 metre high steel palisade fence at southern end of viaduct.


Figure 3.2 – Detail of end of fence extending over the parapet wall and closed pedestrian access

gate.

Figure 3.3 – View showing setting of existing fence looking south from centre of viaduct deck.

Relocated fence would be painted gloss black.

4 Heritage Statement

The Site and Brief History

4.1 Martholme Viaduct, which forms part of the development, is a Grade II listed building. The

viaduct was listed in 1984 (list number 183874). The listing is included in Appendix B.

4.2 This railway viaduct was completed in 1877 as part of the Lancashire and Yorkshire

Railway Great Harwood Loop between Blackburn and Burnley, via Great Harwood,

Simonstone and Padiham. The railway line was closed in December 1957.

4.3 Martholme Viaduct is now owned by Railway Paths Limited, a sister charity to Sustrans

(http://www.railwaypaths.org.uk/)


4.4 Public access has previously been permitted but the viaduct was fenced off at the southern

end in 2001 with a steel palisade fence. Since then no public access has been allowed.

Proposed Works to the Viaduct

4.5 As described in paragraph 3.1 it is proposed to take down the existing palisade fence at the

southern end of the viaduct and re-erect it at the northern end of the viaduct.

4.6 After consultation with the local planning authority it is understood that small scale repair

and maintenance of the structure of the viaduct are not regarded as requiring planning or

listed building consent subject to the repairs being carried out on a like-for-like basis.

4.7 The following proposed works are therefore only described here for information and the

presentation of the complete package of works to the viaduct. Masonry repairs will be

carried out In addition to the fence works proposed it is intended to carryout repairs to the

parapet wall on the north eastern side of the structure and to north western pilaster as

shown in figures 4.1 and 4.2 below. Other repointing to the internal faces of the parapet

walls may also be undertaken.

4.8 All stonework repairs will use locally sourced stone to match the existing stone as closely

as possible. A lime based mortar will be used for bedding and pointing new stone work

using a mix of 1 part NHL 5, 1.5 parts riverwashed sand and 1.5 parts Leighton Buzzard

sand. A suitably qualified stonemason will be engaged to carry out the works.

Figure 4.1 – Area of east side parapet, approximately 25 metres from north of viaduct

showing area of missing stonework to be replaced.


Figure 4.2 – North west end of parapet requiring missing stonework to be infilled.

Visual impact

4.9 The scale of the proposed fencing in relation to the scale of the viaduct means that it will

have a negligible visual impact when viewed from afar. Figure 4.3 shows an indication of

the scale of the fence when viewed from afar. The presence of the established vegetation

north of the viaduct will help the fence to blend into the overall surroundings.

Figure 4.3 – View of viaduct from A680 Whalley Road looking north east showing

indication of scale of proposed fence (circled in red).


4.10 The fence will be visible from the viaduct deck, however the presence of trees north of the

viaduct, in the line of the view means that the fence will not obstruct views out over open

countryside as shown in Figure 4.4.

Figure 4.4 – Photo montage showing proposed fence at north end of viaduct. Fence will

be painted gloss black.

5 Ecology

5.1 Sustrans has commissioned a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of the proposed site.

A copy of this report is included as part of the Planning Application submission.

Proposed mitigation measures

5.2 The PEA has identified the need to seek further ecological advice in relation to potential

impact on bats arising from the repairs to the stonework. This will be commissioned prior

to undertaking the repairs and any requirements for mitigation adhered to.

6 Policy Context

6.1 The relocation of fencing allows public access to the viaduct. As such granting consent

would enable the creation of additional public open space not currently available, but also,

by providing a distinct destination could be seen to encourage the use of the connecting

walking and cycling route to the benefit of users. The proposed development is considered

to support the following policies have been identified from the Ribble Valley Borough

Council Districtwide Local Plan Adopted June 1998.

Policy G1 i,

Developments should not result in the loss of important open space including public and private playing fields.

This development will make a significant contribution to this policy by providing access to

an additional area of public open space of unusual character complimentary to existing

provision close by.


POLICY ENV14 : ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORIC HERITAGE

In considering development proposals, the Borough Council will apply a presumption in favour of the preservation of ancient monuments and other nationally important archaeological remains and their settings. The case for preservation of archaeological remains will be assessed having regard to the intrinsic importance.

This proposal seeks to enable access to one of the Borough Council’s listed structures for

the enjoyment of the public.

POLICY T12 : CYCLING

There are sections of the disused railway line between Great Harwood and Padiham and between Preston and Longridge where traffic-free links from the urban areas to the Ribble Valley countryside could be created as finances permit.

The proposal seeks to permit public access to Martholme Viaduct as a permissive right of

way for pedestrians and cyclists. While no works are envisaged beyond the relocation of

boundary fencing and minor stonework repairs by opening the viaduct to the public in the

manner proposed assists in the aspiration to create a through route from Great Harwood to

Padiham utilising the former railway formation.

7 Access

7.1 Access to the viaduct can only be taken from land currently in the ownership of Lancashire

County Council and the path created by them over the adjoining former railway line

formation. By relocating the fence as proposed the public could enjoy access to the

viaduct. It is not intended that a public right of way be created. Access over the viaduct

would be created as a permissive path.

7.2 The proposed works only improve the accessibility of the deck of the viaduct. The

accessibility of the site is still limited by the nature and condition of the access available

over land adjoining the viaduct and outside the control of the applicants.

Construction and maintenance access

7.3 Sustrans’ sister charity, Railway Paths Limited owns Martholme Viaduct. As a part of their

title access rights are reserved over the adjoining former railway formation for the repair

and maintenance of the viaduct structure. Access would be subject to the agreement of

the adjoining land owners.

7.4 Following completion of the proposed works access for the maintenance of the deck area

of the viaduct would generally be over the existing paths to the south of the viaduct.

Maintenance of the deck area would be continue to be undertaken using hand tools and/or

manually operated equipment.

8 Further information

8.1 This Design and Access Statement should be read in conjunction with the other documents

and drawings submitted with the planning application, as listed in Appendix A. If further

details are required please contact the applicant:

Sustrans, Fifth Floor, Hanover House, 30-32 Charlotte Street, Manchester, M1 4FD

0161 923 6050 [email protected]


Appendix A – Schedule of Planning Application

Documents

The following documents and drawings are submitted with the Planning Application and Listed

Building Consent for the Martholme Viaduct: Facilitating public access development. All of this

information is submitted in pdf format. Please contact the Applicant if paper copies are required.

Title Original size and

colour

Documents

NW20-B30-RE-01 Design and Access Statement (incorporating Heritage

Statement)

A4 colour

NW20-B30-RE-02 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal A4 colour

Drawings

NW20-B30-DR-01 General Arrangement (including location plan) A3 colour


Appendix B – Martholme Viaduct Listing Entry

MARTHOLME VIADUCT

List Entry Summary

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Name: MARTHOLME VIADUCT

List entry Number: 1362005

Location

MARTHOLME VIADUCT, MARTHOLME LANE

The building may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County: Lancashire

District: Hyndburn

District Type: District Authority

Parish: Non Civil Parish

County: Lancashire

District: Ribble Valley

District Type: District Authority

Parish: Read

National Park: Not applicable to this List entry.

Grade: II

Date first listed: 09-Mar-1984

Date of most recent amendment: Not applicable to this List entry.

Legacy System Information

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.


Legacy System: LBS

UID: 183874

Asset Groupings

This list entry does not comprise part of an Asset Grouping. Asset Groupings are not part of

the official record but are added later for information.

List entry Description

Summary of Building

Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details.

Reasons for Designation


History


Details

The asset was previously listed twice also under List entry 1072078, in the parish of Read. this

entry was removed from the list on 6th May 2015.

GREAT HARWOOD MARTHOLME LANE SD 73 SE 3/71 Martholme Viaduct - - II

Viaduct carrying Great Harwood loop line of Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway over River

Calder, 1870-77 (Engineer, Sturges Meek). Sandstone rubble. Ten 40ft. span 65ft.high rounded

arches on slightly curved line. Impost band and solid parapet. History: originally planned as

wooden viaduct, but design in stone substituted before building; contractors (Thomas Stone &

Son) executed work only on condition that coal measures beneath were purchased. Line closed

1957.

Listing NGR: SD7515133865

Selected Sources Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details

National Grid Reference: SD7515133865


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