POLICY MR1
IN CONSULTATION WITH LANDOWNERS, THE COUNCIL WILL MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP THE WANSBECK VALLEY AND RIVER AS A HIGH AMENITY RESOURCE AND AS AN INFORMAL COUNTRY PARK, AS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS INSET MAP No. 21, FOR THE RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF LOCAL PEOPLE, AS COUNCIL RESOURCES PERMIT. A PROGRAMME OF FOOTPATH MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT WILL BE PREPARED, TOGETHER WITH INFORMATION BOARDS AND LEAFLETS TO SHOW THE EXTENT AND LIMITS TO AREAS OF PUBLIC ACCESS.

30.39.1 The area west of Morpeth in the Wansbeck Valley has been designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value for many years and has considerable recreational potential. (See Northumberland County Development Plan (1962): Amendment Number 12, Town Map No. 5.) An extensive network of footpaths runs through the area including attractive riverside walks set in mature woodland. Much of the woodland is of considerable importance for nature conservation.

30.39.2 The proposal to designate the area as an Informal Country Park was originally included in the Morpeth Informal District Plan (1978). Works have been undertaken to enhance the recreational facilities in the area through footpath, bridge and stile construction, the creation of a picnic site and car park, and the provision of signs, waymarks and interpretative material. Future works envisaged include the provision of a cross river link between Scotch Gill and Borough Woods, the creation of public access to Newminster Abbey, and further locally indigenous tree planting. The provision of appropriate facilities for cycling within the Country Park is to be investigated.

30.39.3 There is a significant amount of privately owned land within the designated area, over which there are no rights of public access. These areas of privately owned land are included so as to better protect and enhance the whole designated area and properly manage and improve the informal recreational potential of the area.

30.39.4 It is important to balance the often conflicting needs of nature conservation and recreation, this will be achieved through the development of a management plan which will permit recreational use without detriment to wildlife and sensitive ecological habitats. In order to assist the very important function of woodland management, the Council's Countryside Officer has set up a Voluntary Wardens scheme through which people are directly involved in caring for their local woodland environment.

30.39.5 A report by the former Northumberland Rivers Authority (Integrated River Corridor Assessment 1990) has confirmed the recreational potential of the river between Mitford and Bothal and the Council anticipates a fruitful liaison with the Environment Agency in maximising the potential of the river valley.