Context

Roundhill is the site of an old textile mill and electricity sub station. Back in 1842 there was an incident at the mill when a crowd of angry workers arrived to pull the plug from steam powered machinery. Troops were called to what was known in the district as the Plug Riots.

The mill was destroyed by fire in 1985. In Spring 2004 it was finally demolished and cleared along with the sub station.

The top metre or so of earth down to original ground was also removed and replaced with clean material.

This clean material was then compacted by roller to make it suitable for building on.

New Woodland Area

The blue edged area of the site plan is largely a landfill site abandoned in the 1980s without being restored. The council issued an enforcement notice in 1990 requiring it to be soiled and planted with trees. This notice was not complied with.

GGH let a contract in 2003 for the reclamation of the landfill site. This involved recontouring of the ground by the spreading of soil- making materials. This was completed in late Summer 2005. In phases following this work 11,000 trees and shrubs will be planted, paths laid out, several ponds and wetlands created and different habitats encouraged. After a few years regeneration this area will be evolving into a nature reserve very convenient for residents’ casual enjoyment.

Wildflower plug plants and seeds have been used. This one is Viper's Bugloss. The nectar produced by the flowers is a good source of food for moths, butterflies and bees.

The red and blue land is all within the green belt. Fusden Wood, which adjoins the housing site, is classed as an ancient woodland and is covered by a woodland preservation order. Large parts of the floor are covered with bluebells in Spring.

Next