The Friends of Lever Park

Neville Kidd, Rivington Estate Manager, United Utilities writes in the bolton News of October 31st. You can see the original letter here. I felt I had to respond to the letter so I’ve added my responses in bold.

I would like to respond to the recent letters on the subject of Rivington, car parking and the new Go Ape development.

Firstly, I’m lucky enough to live and work in Chorley and Rivington and, like the people who have written to express their concerns, I have no wish to see this beautiful area spoiled.

It is important to look at the facts. Lord Leverhulme bequeathed Lever Park to Liverpool Corporation for the provision of water and the continued free enjoyment of the public. This philosophy is not going to change but it is important to recognise that the park has changed in character over the years to meet the public’s needs.

The fact is that the Lever Park Act 1902 still applies and the public’s needs are currently being articulated by the Friends of Lever Park, not United Utilities.

We now have toilet facilities, a visitor centre, maintained paths and a large car park which is often overwhelmed on a fine weekend.

Lord Levehulme would have recognised the need for all of the above, except perhaps for the large car park. None of them would have caused him to rethink his bequest. Lever Park was very busy in 1902. Nothing has changed except the number of cars.

There are already commercial ventures like the popular café and barn which hosts functions like weddings and barn dances. These facilities are there for those who want to use them and pay for them.

The cafe has been in existence, more or less unchanged since Leverhulme’s time. The barn has been used in its present capacity for decades. Weddings are new, but Leverhulme would have approved, I’m sure. Again, nothing has changes since Leverhulme made his bequest.

The Go Ape venture will be located in the same popular and busy area near the Great House Barn.

I agree the area is busy, which makes it a particularly bad location. Why was it not located in one of United Utilities more remote forests?

Altogether it will occupy less than seven acres of the 800-acre estate. It will have its own small 40-space car park for visitors who will need to pre-book, so there will be no impact on existing parking.

Go Ape have taken over the only plantation of tall, mature conifers in Lever Park. I presume because these trees are tall and straight enough to allow platforms and zip wires. Those seven acres were unique within the 800-acre park, now spoiled by unecessary felling.

A full ecological survey has been carried out and we have been working with Go Ape to make sure that any trees removed are replaced by further planting.

You cannot replace 100 year old trees overnight. Chorley’s own officers consistently advised Chorley council to refuse planning permission.

We understand that not everybody likes change but many people have told us they are looking forward to this exciting new addition to Rivington.

My generous estimate (based on meeting people, the website polls and petitions) is that 25% of people are in favour, and 75% are against. Of the 25% who are in favour, most are not regular users of the park. Remember that if United Utilities proposed a new McDonalds on the site, some people would still be in favour!

United Utilities is committed to protecting the environment, ecology and biodiversity of the land it manages. The results speak for themselves, with our estates being home to some of the last strongholds for endangered species like the hen harrier and red squirrel.

United Utilities make it sound as if Go Ape is of advantage to wildlife. Lets be clear: there are no ecological benefits to Go Ape.

We have won awards for our work with partners like the RSPB, so it would make no sense for us to disregard environmental concerns.

I’m sure they are working with the RSPB elsewhere but in Lever Park United Utilites are not partnering with any outside bodies other than Go Ape.

We are still considering our plans for the main car parking issue and we’re consulting with the Rivington Heritage Trust and the community.

Good, every credit to United Utilities for consulting properly over the car parking issues. If only Go Ape and Chorley council had done a proper consultation back in the summer! However the Rivington Heritage Trust is a non-elected body with no accountability. Most of the people in the trust were appointed by United Utilities.

If charges were implemented, they would be ploughed back into maintaining our estates.

If charges were implemented, there is no guarantee that a penny would be spent within Lever Park. United Utilities estates are huge, and the majority of the money would be spent elsewhere, or simply disappear into United Utilities accounting system to re-appear as shareholder dividends.

Other organisations like national parks and the National Trust have a similar duty to maintain bequeathed estates and they operate a similar system. Those who enjoy walking in the estate will always be free to do so.

United Utilities’ stewardship of Lever Park cannot be compared with the work of the National Trust. United Utilties are a public company with a responsibility to their shareholders. The National Trust is a registered charity with national responsibilities.

We believe our proposals balance the objectives of protecting water quality and the environment, while providing an amenity for people of all ages to enjoy, including the new generation of visitors to the outdoors.

Go Ape is not an amentity to anyone except the well-off. A family of four would have to pay £90 for a session on the Go Ape course. Visitors must be over 10 years old. Go Ape is not family friendly and will not encourage the ordinary families of Bolton and Chorley to visit the area.

Tags: letter, response, united utilities