The project gallery includes a selection Natural Play schemes and other projects completed by FFC Landscape Architects and P2 Services Ltd.
01
Buxton Road Woodland, Leek
Brief: One of the first Play-builder schemes set up in North Staffordshire. FFC Landscape Architects were approached by the Client Mr Arnie Swithenbank of Staffordshire Moorlands DC to look at a concept proposals for a Natural Play scheme at an informal site just outside Leek.
FFC LA had worked on this site last year installing new paths and access improvements with P2 Services Ltd from Stone and quickly saw the potential of Arnie’s vision- to create play spaces and features that would encourage 8-13 year olds back out into the natural environment, using natural spaces and imagination to promote healthy fun.
The site was an attractive woodland formed many years ago probably after use as a small stone quarry and had numerous glades and valleys, which were clearly used by young mountain bikers. It was essential to the success of any project that these were kept on board and features such as clatter-bridges were used, setting the new features around some of the existing bike tracks.
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02
Yarnfield Village Play Scheme
Brief: Promoted by Yarnfield Forum, initial advice from P2 Services Ltd was sought to address concerns over drainage without any clear idea of what sort of scheme was required. Discussions were held with FFC Landscape Architects, upon recommendation,so that some sort of design strategy could be evolved, so that discussions could be progressed with Stafford BC and Playbuilder themselves.
Designs were presented and met with huge enthusiasm by parents and local children. Initial discussions regarding he status of the land as a designated village green were followed to a solution and costings prepared.
In the interim however, during the preparation of what would have been a huge planning application package, local pressure from objectors was motivated against the Forum who saw it prudent to withdraw the scheme, so as to avoid dividing the village.
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03
Woodcroft play area, Leek
Brief: Twinned with the Buxton Road scheme, but undertaken by a different contractor under the control of FFC Landscape Architects, as design consultant, a scheme was put together for a more open space at Woodcroft. This site is similarly undulating with groups of trees and woodland around the edges. The site, being set on top of large sloping site gave great vantage points over the Leek skyline, with views to the Roaches beyond but presented logistical problems of access, both for labour and materials.
The design used the viewpoint to create an attractive viewing area, incorporated features into the wooded area while also improving foot access down steep slopes and also provided a popular zipline. All these features were put into a setting by the use of strategic features to create communal space and points of interest as well as a new orchard area to increase plant diversity.
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04
P2 Services Ltd – Environmental Improvement Scheme, Didsbury
Brief: This Environmental Improvement Scheme involved the creation of a town centre garden using large advanced Nursery Trees which required extra special handling and logistical planning in a constricted space. The large trees were craned into place and secured underground while the creation of lawns, paved piazzas and contemporary water features were created in tandem.
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05
P2 Services- Site clearance works
Brief: From small infill sites to larger countryparks, P2 have had a wide range of experience on all sizes of sites, building up considerable expertise for many types of problem sites. The control of Japanese Knotweed is one of our main specialities and we can prepare reports for options on the removal of this noxious weed.
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