SEVEN SPRINGS COUNTRY PARK
Seven Springs Country Park will become a primary part of Newmarket’s green space network, offering access for all and a place for nature and wildlife to thrive.
The area currently has no primary use, but its roots go back to Roman times and there are a number of interesting natural site features which can be preserved, enhanced and enjoyed.
Our concept designs for the Country Park show a sensitive approach to making the most of the site’s natural features and valuable ecology by creating a community park on the large hill at Pinewood, with access from Exning Road, and a more discrete trail around the natural environment of the lower marshes of the Seven Springs. Access into the ecologically sensitive wet woodlands area will be limited to guided groups in order to protect the sensitive biodiversity for the long term future
Existing Site Landscape Character
The proposed park is located west of Newmarket and east of the A14. The land includes landscapes of contrasting character including sweeping, open and managed grazing lands framed by shelterbelts to the east, and a heavily wooded incised terrain subdivided by streams and rivulets further west on lower ground around the Seven Springs.
The higher ground is less steep, but gradients become more severe further west, creating inaccessible slopes in places. There are notable long distance panoramic views from the high plateau, whereas the tree cover along the valley sides limits views and the valley landscape is consequently much more intimate in character. These contrasts mean there is an interesting diversity of landscape character within a small area.
The low-lying parts of the site feels tranquil and secluded, with the woodland shielding visitors from the noise of the A14. The tapestry of lying water, streams, wetlands and woods is very unusual and lends a particularly distinctive and magical air to the Springs area. The heritage and cultural significance of the Springs adds further layers to its unique character.
Comments from the previous community engagement included the following:
Need to recognise the natural and historic value of the Seven Springs Promote wildlife and biodiversity on site Ensure accessibility for wheelchair users and pushchairs Consider amenities for teenagers, such as bike tracks and playing fields.
Café
A key part of our plans for Seven Springs Country Park is the creation of a community café, offering a comfortable space for visitors to spend time and enjoy the natural surroundings. We have been inspired by the Shepherds Baa at Lynford Arboretum which is housed in a shepherd’s hut-style building, with outdoor seating and public conveniences provided for visitor comfort.
We are committed to partnering with a local, independent business with experience running cafés in similar settings, to ensure we offer a welcoming and accessible service. The café will serve as a convenient meeting point within the park, giving visitors a place to rest, refresh, and spend time with others.
Our aim is to provide a simple, functional space that enhances the experience of those visiting the park.
The main public access will be from the north and east close to both existing and proposed new residential areas. A new pedestrian route from Exning will also be created alongside the horsewalk under the A14 direct to the northern edge of the country park.
Car parking and bike parking will be provided within the park and will be sensitively integrated with the surrounding landscape using new tree and shrub planting.
A community café will be located on the higher part of the site where it can capitalise on the extensive views west and south over the Suffolk landscape. The gradients around the cafe will ensure full access for the public to the key active zone around the building, including those with mobility limitations.
Play facilities based on the principles of ‘natural play’ will be provided close to the café building so that children can play close to facilities and where there is adult supervision. A network of paths and trails will connect out into the landscape, looping around the existing wet woodland, natural springs and enhanced wetlands, with a number of seating features and rest points en-route.
Archaeological features have been documented on this site and it’s proposed that these would form part of a heritage trail with interpretation points indicating what they are and where they stood. The upper areas of the park, being the less ecologically sensitive areas, will be designed to accommodate active recreational uses, while there will be more limited access to the more sensitive wooded and wetland areas around the Springs where the emphasis will be on protecting the riparian regime and enhancing biodiversity.
The cultural, archaeological and ecological value of the area will be explained to visitors to enhance the enjoyment of being in the park