The new Country Park on the eastern edge of South Elmsall has been created from the derelict land of the former colliery yard and spoil heap of Frickley Colliery which closed in 1993.
The majority of the site has been reclaimed to create a high quality country park utilising over £7 million of grant funding from the Government's National Coalfields Programme.
The scheme has been implemented through a partnership of Wakefield Council, Yorkshire Forward and the Homes and Communities Agency.
The Country Park, which opened in September 2009 provides over 80 hectares of leisure and recreation space open at all times to the public. Extensive areas of grassland, heathland, tree planting and wetland areas will create significant habitats for nature conservation and biodiversity.
- For more information about Frickley Country Park, download our Frickley Country Park leaflet available in 'Downloads' or visit the Experience Wakefield Site - see 'Related Links'.
Several features on the site help to record the mining heritage of the area. For example 'The Timeline' marks the location and depth of the Number 1 shaft and identifies the main coal seams that were mined at Frickley.
Over 11.5 km (7 miles) of footpaths and cycleway have been constructed across and around the site, and disabled access is practicable on all but the steepest slopes. Those visitors with mobility scooters will find that Radar keys open the kissing gates at specific entrances from Doncaster Road and Broad Lane. There is also a car park at the Doncaster Road entrance.
In October 2008, Cabinet agreed that three former coalfield sites (Frickey, Fryston and Rabbit Ings) should be transferred to the Land Trust, a charity which manages green open spaces on behalf of and with local communities. The transfer will ensure that the site will remain as a public space in the long term. The Trust ensures that green spaces deliver substantial community benefits - improving health, creating social cohesion uplifting the economy, providing educational resources and creating environmental improvements.
The Council is finalising discussion for the transfer of the sites and site notices were posted in January to this effect. The site notices relate to the legal requirement to advertise the proposed disposal of public open space and allow the public to make any objections.
Sports pitches
A feasibility study was carried out in 2010 to establish the preferred option for sports and community facilities linked to the sports pitches recently prepared within the Country Park. The full report is available as a download. A local partnership known as the South Elmsall and Frickey Sporting Alliance is currently preparing funding bids to bring these plans to fruition. The Alliance is made up of South Elmsall Town Council, Frickley Athletic Football club, South Elmsall Unitied Junior Football Club and South Elmsall United Services Football club (Soldiers).
Frickley Colliery Housing Site
New housing is proposed for the site of the former colliery offices and car park. Just over 5 hectares of land is available the majority of which has been reclaimed as part of the overall reclamation scheme. A development brief document has been prepared which sets out the quality standards required for new housing in this important location. Up to 200 homes could be built. The site is currently out to tender and it is hoped that the construction of new homes will start in 2013.
Last updated 24 January 2012
