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Rothwell Country Park
Management Plan 2014-2016
M. Shiloh Covey
13 May 2014

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Aim of Management Plan
The aim of this document is to analyze the current condition of Rothwell Country Park’s
natural habitat, and how to better incorporate human interaction. The purpose is to seek
where improvements can be made regarding habitat quality, access for public use, and
restore this previous coal mining area into a wildlife reserves and tourist attraction. The
aim is for the main part of these restorations to take place within the next two years with
regards to improving this greenspace for the benefit of people and wildlife. This
document will go through the different areas present at the site and provide individual
objectives as to how these can be managed, and provide a solid guide to future
management efforts.
Site Description
The Rothwell Country Park is a 50 hectare green space located in the southeastern corner
of the Leeds district, in between the northern flank of Rothwell town and the Aire and
Calder Navigation Canal. Running through it are the main footpaths, the pond trail, and
the pithead trail, which runs through a series of sculptures installations commissioned by
the Leeds City Counsel. The North side is bordered by a railway track running parallel to
the Aire Canal. There are 14 main ponds on the site of various sizes and a vast mount of
grassland including a large meadow leading up to the highest point of elevation in the
park know as the summit. The majority of wooded area borders the park, however there
are clusters of trees throughout. It has three main access points. Two located on the
South side at Bullough Lane, and Pickpocket Lane, ant the other on the North side on the
walkway crossing the railroad.
Legal
This site is currently owned by the Leeds City Counsel, and managed in partnership with
the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
Status
The site in included in the Rowthwell Conservation area, and is part of a corridor of
green spaces in the Lower Aire Valley.
Brief History
In the middle ages - from 5th to 15th century - this park was part of a vast wooded district
used as a royal hunting ground. A more significant part of the parks history came after
that when the Rothwell Colliery owned it from 1867 to 1983. The park itself is now on
the site of the former “Fanny Pit.” The pit had a railway line branch off the mainline
because most coal was moved by rail, and at the peak of moving coal there used to be 3
million coal wagons on the rail network (Ywt.org.uk, 2014).

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Image: In 1983 miners on the afternoon shift at Rothwell Fanny Pit pose for a group
photograph (McGough, 1983).
"Fanny Pit" started production in 1867 had a second shaft sunken in 1921, which was
deepened in 1924. Following its closure in 1983, it became a post-industrial wasteland.
Fortunately in the mid 1990's a partnership was formed between local people, Leeds City
Council and Groundwork Leeds, which saw a transformation of the area. Over the next 5
years extensive landscaping of the site allowed the land to be carefully reprofiled and
tracts of meadow, woodland and wetlands were created. Finally on the 24th of June 2000
Rothwell Country Park opened to the public, providing this corner of Leeds with much
needed oasis (Ywt.org.uk, 2014).
Land Usage
Cultural
Since Rothwell Country Park was opened up to the public in 2000 it has been used as a
conservation area and green space, not only for plants to re-grow and rehabilitate the
ecosystem, but also to establish a relationship with people. This sort of cultural
interaction is what is provided here in a few ways.
1. Public - There are an extensive network of paths including a ‘sculpture trail,’
where local artists have installations incorporated within the natural environment.
A ‘pond trail,’ as well as various benches along the walking paths and picnic
tables are present in order to provide seating and resting areas for the public.
Bicycling and bird watching are also common activities found here.
2. Educational – This area is also open to school groups to come and gain first hand
environmental education experience, as well as university students conducting
studies of the area. However there is no formal educational service run through
the park.
Important Areas to Evaluate
1. Size – This 50 hectare park space is relatively large and provides the space for a
multitude of different activities and habitats. Suburbs and roadways surround it,
which makes it an ideal location as this makes access to the park much easier. The

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River Aire runs through it on the North side of the railway, and North of that is
more green space which makes it a good pathway for animal activity.
2. Naturalness – Due to the fact that the park used to be a mine site, the evidence of
human present is easy to see. A large gravel area remains near the railroad where
vegetation has not been able to grow back and some brick shafts remain there
even though they are mostly filled in. Other human features include gravel
pathways and cut trails for walking, bicycling, and even horseback riding. Older
growth still exists around the edge of the gravel pit and along pathways,
establishing a good base for future rehabilitation.
3. Fragility – Coal mining activities had a harsh toll with the erosion of trees in the
park and the remaining old growth is something that needs to be preserved. With
an increased amount of visitors, young trees may be at risk if people venture off
paths into the surrounding natural area, trampling on the young growth. The main
risk to the lakes is pollution from visitors, and the areas of wetland are one of the
smaller natural features in the park and are generally very susceptible changes in
their surrounding environment. These have to be monitored very closely to
ensure they remain a healthy habitat for the organisms they sustain.
4. Potential Value – The value of the site is high for reasons such as, location close
to the public, variety of different habitats, and large size. However, there are still
areas that need improvement both naturally and for human use in order to increase
its value.
5. Intrinsic Value – This site also has high intrinsic value due to its various of
natural ecosystems, making it a good place for dog walking, joggers, bicyclers,
birdwatchers and more.
Past Management
Gravel Site
Very little management has been done to this area where the former ‘Fanny Pit’ was
located. It remains as a large flat gravel field with little to no vegetation growing within it
and rubble and debris such ads bricks and chunks of cement from the former mine still
remain.
Grassland ,Woodland, and Scrub
During the initial transformation of the park from 1995 to 2000, local community groups,
the Leeds City Counsel, and Groundwork Leeds worked on the reconstructing of
meadows, and the remaining woodlands and scrub areas. Also, walking trails were
constructed and a sculpture path was included in the rehabilitation of the park. However,
due to lack of funding after the park was opened to the public in 2000, not much has been
done to manage these areas.
Ponds and Wetlands
From 1995 to 2000 a lot of work was done to the ponds in the park by local community
groups and Groundwork Leeds including the stabilizing of wetlands and banks, as well as
constructing pathways surrounding the ponds to encourage and control foot traffic.

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Image: Map of Rothwell Country Park (Leeds City Counsil, 2009).
Briefing and Aims and Objectives for this Site
The final objective of this management plan is to improve Rothwell Country Park
through management creating a landscape that benefits both people and plants. However,
maintain a sustainable habitat for the both the native plant species and animal life already
living there. Due to the fact that there are so many different habitats and environments
within Rowthwell Country Park, the best way to manage these is to separate them and
develop objectives independently. Each of these areas are described on the chart at the
end of this section in order to better understand what exactly is being included in each of
the stated environments.
Gravel Site
The gravel site is the last distinct remaining area in the park that still clearly shows the
presence of the colliery. Rubble from the site still remains here and plants have not been
able to grow on the unfertile and gravel covered ground that remains. This makes it not
only aesthetically unpleasing, but with the railway running very close along side of it, this
area proves to be a health and safety hazard.
Objective: The objective here would be to remove the remaining rubble, including old
bricks and cement. The soil here is not very deep so it is suggested that this area be
turned into a meadow or grassland planted with native plant species. To further attract
people to this area this new field could be used as a recreational area for activities such as

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football with the addition of small goal posts for public use. Furthermore, to ensure the
safety of people using this area it is suggested that a fence be put up blocking the railway
so the public will not wander to close to this area.
Grassland
The areas covered by grassland are essential for grazing animals and a variety of different
organism that require this type of environment to survive. It also makes a great area for
the public to experience the natural feel the park has to offer without threatening more
delicate plant species or trampling down wooded areas.
Objective: The objective with the grasslands is to make the area a place where people and
nature can co-exist in the least intrusive way. Pathways will be improved that already
exist in these areas, as well as new ones added in order to allow people to venture trough
the areas without feeling the need to explore out into the grassland areas themselves. In
some areas picnic benches will be added in order to encourage public presence in more
controlled spaces while still maintaining naturalness of other areas.
Woodland and Scrub
Woodlands and Scrub areas are very important areas to sustain the organisms and native
life in the park. These are some of the areas that need the most protecting however hold a
very high value regarding the attractiveness of the park.
Objective: The objective here is to go through and remove non-native and invasive plant
species from these areas and begin to replant species native to this area. Moreover, the
clearing of some ground cover and scrubs will help get sunlight to new-planted species
and encourage their growth. In order to protect the existing old growth and allow new
growth to reach maturity pathways that contact or run through these areas should be
clearly marked and well maintained. Signs could even be put up discouraging the public
from venturing into these areas due to the fragility of the young trees.
Ponds and Wetlands
Ponds and wetlands are the most fragile of the different ecosystems found in Rothwell
Country Park. However, they are very crucial for the very specific species that dwell
there such as amphibians and the popular dragonflies. This means they need proper
management in order to be protected.
Objectives: In order to protect these areas the pond banks should be regularly maintains
and monitored in order to ensure the health of residing amphibians. Furthermore,
organisms here should be monitored to check for rising and falling number in species,
including dragonflies, various birds, and amphibians such as frogs. Once again
maintenance of pathways around the ponds help drive public interest with easier access
and discourage them from venturing into the natural grown area.

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Area of Site Description
Gravel Site The area that used to be the ‘Fanny Pit’
site. Large open area covered in a mixture
of gravel, old bricks, cement debris and
other rubble ruminants from the past
colliery. Has little to no vegetation on it
and is located next to the railway.
Grassland Classified as any open area with the
majority covered by short to medium
grasses (0.5 meters). Includes meadows
and taller less groomed areas.
Woodland and Scrub Mixture of mature to young trees and
bushes. Can be dense in some areas and
sparse in others. Often found surround
grasslands and the gravel pit.
Ponds and Wetlands Includes all small to medium sized water
bodies and their surrounding wetlands.
Wetlands include marsh or boggy areas that
are waterlogged in all seasons and contain
peat, tall grasses, and other vegetation that
thrives under these specific conditions.
Annual Management
In order to keep the park in a positive state that continues to promote a healthy
relationship between people and the environment, annual management needs to be
established. The park is currently owned by the Leeds City Counsel, however the
“Friends of Rothwell Country Park” was formed in 2010 due to the lack of previous
management, and this group is one example of a good way to manage the park through
donations and volunteer opportunities.
Annual areas that will need managing are:
- Maintaining and enhancing woodland habitats
o Removal of non-native species
o Shrub removal
o Planting of trees and native species
- Maintaining and enhancing ponds and wetland habitats
o Bank side maintenance
o Animal surveying
o Water level monitoring
- Path maintenance
o Clearing debris from paths
o Pathway reconstruction
o Additions of new walkways
o Maintenance of park entrance and car park

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Word Count: 2031
References
McGough, D. (1983). Rothwell Fanny Pit. [image] Available at:
http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2006823_161827 [Accessed 9
May. 2014].
Leeds City Counsil, (2009). Welcome to Rothwell Country Park. [image] Available at:
http://www.friendsofrcp.co.uk/maps [Accessed 9 May. 2014].
Ywt.org.uk, (2014). Rothwell Country Park Yorkshire Wildlife Trust | Love Yorkshire,
Love Wildlife. [online] Available at: http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/rothwell-country-
park [Accessed 9 May. 2014].