The Millennium Green Initiative
The Millennium Green Initiative was driven as part of a priority Countryside Commission programme that used £10 million of lottery funds from the Millennium Commission to create up to 250 new areas of open space for permanent enjoyment of the local community throughout the country.
The development of the project at Affetside was encouraged by the Countryside Commission, due to the strong level of local support and the importance of the site in both landscape and historical terms.
The project incorporated the transformation of the former bus turnaround owned by Greater Manchester Public Transport (GMPTE) (adjacent to Affetside Cross), which had been disused for a number of years.
Site location
Affetside is a small linear village on top of the West Pennine Moors at a crossroads of an ancient packhorse route with panoramic views out across the surrounding moorland. The site located at the centre of the village, near to the primary school and beside the Roman Road of Watling Street. To the side of the road and forming part of the site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument known as Affetside Cross (one of only 4 in the Borough and 30 Greater Manchester). This reputedly is a Roman Cross, which marks a Roman encampment on the route from Manchester to Ribchester.
The location is one of great landscape and historical significance which was compromised by the redundant bus turnaround.
Community aspirations
The objectives of the scheme emerged through extensive community consultation during the first stage design process (see below). The main objective of the scheme was essentially to
transform the redundant bus turnaround into a focal point for the village, which now performs
the following functions:
- a focal point for village activities;
- a safe place for children to play and people to meet;
- a wildlife area with a pond which is used as part of school activities;
- interpretation and celebration of the historical richness and significance of the site and village as a staging post during the Roman occupation and later for pilgrims and packhorse travellers;
- a starting point for visiting ramblers/walkers.
The Millennium Green Initiative Application Process
The application process to the Countryside Commission was in two stages.
Stage one
The initial design stage was funded by a grant from Countryside Commission at 50% and match funding from Bury MBC to the Affetside Millennium Village Green Committee. The initial design stage ensured there was sufficient community support to drive the initiative and eventually form a trust to own and manage the site. This has been achieved by:
- Formation of a Charitable Trust, set up to own and manage the site on realisation of the project;
- Emergence of the design of the site after extensive consultation and development work with the local community. Ideas for the site were sought and approximately 50 were received, including one each from the primary school pupils. The task of the Landscape Architect was to turn the ideas of the community into a detailed specification of works which could be priced and form the basis of the second stage application for the capital costs to implement the project.
Second stage
The implementation stage was funded by the Countryside Commission, Pilsworth Environmental Company, Bury Council and Barlocher UK (a local private company). The total project implementation costs, including purchase of land were £30,500. The maximum grant available from the Countryside Commission was 50% of the total cost, therefore match funding was sought from Pilsworth Company amongst others to complete the funding.
Conclusion
This project has created a new and viable community use from a piece of redundant land at the centre of the village. The scheme enhances the setting of both the village and the historical monument. The designation of Affetside Cross as a Schedule Ancient Monument confirms that the site is of national historical and archaeological importance.
The project has been advanced by the enthusiasm and energy of the local community who have also gained commitment from a local company to contribute to the maintenance of the site. The project commenced in the autumn of 1999 to ensure that the site was established to become the site on which the community celebrate the millennium.
Further information
Any additional information required on this project can be made available from:
Peter Morris, Chair of the Millennium Green Village Committee
Colliers Cottage, 76 Watling Street, Affetside, Bury, BL8 3QW
Useful Links
Archaeological Sites and Monuments - Affetside Cross
