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New searchPart of the site is known by local historians as the 'Flint Field'
Land to the north of Oldnall Road, in Cradley, Halesowen and Wollescote, West Midlands. It adjoins housing in Deer Park Gardens, Cradley and in Seymour Road, Wollescote, stretching back on its northern side to the SINC and buildings in Cradley and Lye. The location map doesn't seem to be functioning properly and is making it very difficult to draw the northern boundary of the site.
B63 2BF
14
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This natural green space is used for recreation by the local community, and has been for many generations. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised the need for more green open space to be available for the Cradley community for exercise and feeling of well-being. The local park, a walk of some 20 minutes away from the site, has become at times too busy to accommodate everyone who wants to use it whilst still offering personal space and a sense of peacefulness. In good weather particularly, and with increased leisure time, there are far more dog walkers, family groups, sport participants in training, joggers, power walkers and people just generally wanting to get out and enjoy the open air and a pleasant environment. An opportunity for all of these beneficial activities is found at the site in question and as a result it has attracted more visitors from a wider area. Because of its size, its wooded areas and many pathways it still offers a peaceful environment. Green spaces, particularly natural green spaces, located close to local people, provide a range of social, environmental and even economic benefits, including – • improved mental health. Research is beginning to show the benefits regarding alleviation of depression, anxiety and even pain when in an uplifting and peaceful green area • improved physical health • increased social activity • increased physical activity • reduced petty crime – somewhere to go to meet friends to socialise away from shops and housing • improvements to children’s learning about the environment and their heritage • improved community cohesion and sense of belonging • a more attractive place to live, work, play and visit • preservation of opportunities for wildlife habitats and wildlife corridors. There is a also great benefit when an amenity is so close to housing that no cost is involved in travel or car parking.
Not relevant.
There are no constraints on the land in question becoming a Local Green Space. It is already used by the local community. Since ancient times the site has been used for walking and for moving around the area; the King’s Highway, a historic right of way, runs through it.
Some of it is used for agricultural purposes, not livestock. That use is not affected by the right of way.
Not relevant.
None.
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The site is already ideally suited for its use by the community, and for designation as a Local Green Space.
No.
There is a lack of green open space in general in Cradley and Dudley Borough (Dudley MBC Local Development Framework: Parks & Green Space Strategy). The site is local in scale and relatively small compared to neighbouring fields. It serves the local community by providing a quiet area for informal recreation and has done so for all of living memory. People exercise their dogs, and walk for leisure, fitness and for the feeling of wellbeing that improves mental health. Children play, building camps and visiting the ancient spring site. There are also extensive views, and a viewing point, over the Black Country towards Netherton, Rowley Regis and Dudley where the castle is clearly visible. It serves the whole Cradley community by: - continuing to provide a widely visible area of green space to the people living to its northern side due to its elevated position on a ridge with adjoining SINC on its lower reaches. It is an area of natural beauty in contrast to the lower Northern areas of Cradley where there are many industrial units and built up areas of housing. - providing an open green space in a quiet and peaceful location for those who live within a reasonable walking distance (20 minutes) - providing an open green space for those living within a short walking distance in the nearby housing estates, flats and new build houses. It is akin to walking in the peace of the countryside and is as close as many local people are able to achieve that, taking into account travel costs, time and family constraints. It is a tranquil area, with a SLINC to one side and more open fields adjacent. It is an area of natural beauty and is also often visited so that people can see the diversity of wildlife there, including deer. Meditative prayer walks by the congregation of Overend Methodist Mission have taken place there. There is a B class road, but the vast majority of traffic uses a parallel main road, the A458. Because of this and the lie of the land there is no traffic noise. As above, since ancient times the site has been used for walking and for moving around the area; the King’s Highway, a historic right of way, runs through it. The King’s Highway (Public Footpath H215) features in organised walks and booklets printed by Halesowen Abbey Trust; Country Walks around Halesowen’s Green Borderland. Local historians and Cradley Now & Then have also organised walking trails for visitors, including from the Black Country Society. Part of the green space is known as the Flint Field, and to the west of that it has an area once occupied by the settlement of Oldnall, Oldnall Colliery and Oldnall Farm. People of all ages who are interested in history walk along the paths to see if they can discover small finds. The site has a particular local historic and archaeological significance, as evidenced in the attached document compiled by K James BSC (HONS), MSC, PHD, FIAP. The site's designation as a Local Green Space would underline that significance and ensure that it will continue to be available for the community, providing an area of natural beauty for recreation, health and fitness.
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