A New Nature Garden

Transforming unused land behind the library for community benefit & use

Two plots of land between Springhead Gardens & Old School Court were sold by Kirklees at auction in April. 

A third plot to the rear of Denby Dale Community Library has been classified by Kirklees as surplus, as this land sits at a lower level with limited access. Currently, the area consists mostly of scrubland – previously a classroom and play area with some remaining tarmac from the old playground. It is currently not being managed, and is overgrown with brambles and self-seeded trees. It may well harbour vermin such as rats. It detracts from the setting of the library, and is a wasted opportunity. We are keen to do better.

Community Asset Transfer from Kirklees to DDCL

Kirklees has approved our Expression of Interest application & invited DDCL to submit a full application for the Community Asset Transfer of this land to us. The CAT process will take 12-18 months as it has to be approved by the Council and legal agreements made. The CAT would be a long lease, giving us responsibility for and control of the land.

How we engage with you

Before reaching out to our wider community we engaged directly with key local individuals & organisations, who have relevant expertise or may benefit from the repurposed scrubland. The ideas that follow are the result of this. We’d now love your input to further shape the project.

Our vision to repurpose the land

To acquire, clear, transform & manage this land for community benefit & use, primarily as a ‘nature garden’ linked to the library & café building.

We aim to work with & support other local groups, to involve local businesses and people, provide opportunities for local volunteers & groups to be involved, but will use contractors where appropriate.

What we will do first

1. Clear the land of brambles, scrub & seedling trees, play equipment and concrete bases, & remove off site

2. Clear larger trees unless it is possible to retain them, some wood to be retained & used for edging & habitat piles

3. Check all boundary walls & fence are secure & in good condition

4. Obtain a level survey.

We will then be able to design the new slopes & paths, planting areas & other features, to produce a final design.

Who will benefit

We will create a space that can be used:

–  By the local community & community groups for the enhancement of well-being & health, as we know spending time outdoors & engaging with nature has far reaching benefits

–  For small community events in conjunction with the library building, & as an outdoor space for people and groups to meet.

What we aim to do with the land

Here are our ‘top 10’ ideas for transforming the land. We will:

1. Create a ‘looked after’ area, properly maintained – to be run by volunteers & so as low maintenance as possible.

2. Create seating areas – where people can read or just enjoy nature, in a space close to the centre of the village but secluded & peaceful.

3. Create a natural looking area or ‘nature garden’ – a space that can be used to benefit nature & the environment, through habitat creation as a protected green space, managed on ecological principles.

4. Provide specific opportunities to encourage beneficial nature – nestboxes, pollinator-friendly flowers, trees & a wildflower meadow, wilder areas of habitat including log piles, nettles etc.

5. Plant orchard trees – apples, pears etc.

6. Create interpretation, especially for children – with boards or self-guided leaflets about the nature on our doorstep & the history of our village.

7. Create additional storage provision for the library – & for seasonal equipment & tools to maintain the nature garden.

8. Introduce measures to support the long-term costs of the library building and address climate change – e.g. heat pump & rainwater collection.

9. Retain limited car parking for volunteers & staff working in the building – this frees-up much needed, essential parking spaces in the public car park in front of the building. (The access is too narrow to allow general parking behind the building.)

And, finally, no matter which of the above are actioned:

10. Prevent anti-social behaviour or damage by enabling access only through a locked gate & our building – it will be open for at least the building opening hours

Additional benefits for DDCL

The tarmac part of the land behind the library already benefits DDCL, as it is used (with Kirklees’ permission) as car parking by volunteers & staff of the library & café. This means users of the library, cafe & customers of nearby businesses are more likely to find a space in our well-used car park in front of the library.

As access to the rear of the library is narrow & awkward, we will continue to use the  tarmac area in this way only. We recognise the importance of car parking in the village, & try to ensure our small public car park is not used for all-day parking, with resulting maximum public benefit.

One of our options above is to improve the DDCL building’s environmental sustainability. We already have solar panels & low-energy lighting, but currently use an electric boiler. We could install a ground source heat pump for the library, &/or capture & store rainfall to provide non-drinking water to flush toilets in the library.

Financing the project 

If Kirklees approves to our CAT application then the land behind the library will be transferred to DDCL on a long lease, at a ‘peppercorn’ (minimal) rent. We will have to pay legal expenses. 

The cost of repurposing the scrubland for community benefit, both the capital investment required upfront & the annual costs to maintain it, will depend on which options are chosen. DDCL trustees are confident that we have the experience & skills to develop a sustainable business model, via either/both fundraising and/or grants – just as we have since we were established in 2014.

Possible timetable 

Acquisition of site – early Spring 2026

Initial works & final design – during Spring & early Summer 2026

Construction – Autumn 2026

Planting – Autumn 2026

Opening – Autumn/Winter 2026.

All subject to securing the land, permissions, funding & other resource.