Grange Park, Blackpool
Encyclopedia
Grange Park is a council built and largely council owned housing estate in Blackpool
a seaside resort on the Fylde coast
in Lancashire
, England
. It consists of about 1,800 dwellings mostly 1940s and 1970s housing, with a population of over 6,000. It is one of the largest council estate
s in Lancashire and for many years suffered from serious social disorder with a reputation within the town for crime and drugs. Following the establishment, in 1997, of a problem-oriented policing
initiative the estate has seen a huge turnround resulting in a Government sustainable community award in 2005.
. Grange Park is Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency. The estate is also in the North West England European parliament constituency
. Grange park has one electoral ward, Park with two councillors.
and it is the largest council populated area per head of local population in England.
For many years the estate was classed as a socially deprived area and encountered serious problems including poor image, poor educational standards, high unemployment rates, a range of social and behavioural problems and environmental dereliction. In April 1997 the Grange Park Initiative project was established to improve the estate and make it a better place to live. It began as a commitment by Bispham Police, who police the estate, to take a long term problem-oriented policing
approach to the communities needs after consultations with local people, councillors and the Resident Association groups.
The Grange Park Initiative objectives when it was established were:
The estate's first Neighbourhood Watch scheme was set up in June 1998. On 4 July 1998, the estate celebrated its 50th anniversary with a procession and an It's a Knockout
style competition on the playing fields of Grange Park Junior School.
In February, 2005 Grange Park won the Deputy Prime Minister
, John Prescott
's Award for Sustainable Communities
as part of the Government of the United Kingdom's Sustainable Communities Plan
. At the award ceremony, John Prescott said of the estate, "The people of Grange Park live in one of the most deprived parts of the country...but they were determined to do something about it. Thanks to their energy and commitment, they’ve found new security and confidence in the place they live." Prescott also visited Grange Park during the Labour Party
spring conference, spending time at the Blackpool City Learning Centre
.
On 31 March 2006 Blackpool Council hosted a one day conference "Sustainable Communities: Vision into Reality" at the Palace of Westminster
where they showed how "a strong multi agency approach working closely with the community has improved life for the residents of Grange Park." And in April 2007 it was revealed that crime on the estate had fallen by a further 9% in the preceding two years with the local Police Inspector, saying, "I think the drop has come as a result of a lot of hard work that has been going on over the last 10 years which is now coming to fruition."
technology and resource centre which uses information technology
to help local school pupils and community. It has three large training rooms as well as a professional standard broadcasting studio and radio station. The centre also has a public library
and internet cafe
.
on Dinmore Avenue, which was founded in 1958 and Christ the King Roman Catholic on Chepstow Road which was founded in 1949.
the Genesis Wildlife Haven, where a variety of wildlife can been seen. The area had previously been a wasteland before in 2002 a group of local residents formed a support group, "Christ the King Wildlife Support Group" to clean up the area. A nature conservation area was created for the benefit of local school children and community. A variety of birds have been seen at the haven including Blue Tit
, Great Tit
, European Greenfinch
, Blackbird, Blackcap
, Chaffinch
, House Sparrow
, Jay
, Kestrel
, White Wagtail
, European Robin
, Song Thrush
, Sparrowhawk and Wood Pigeon
. In May 2007 pupils from Christ the King school built a small pond in the haven.
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
a seaside resort on the Fylde coast
The Fylde
The Fylde ; Scandinavian: "field") is a coastal plain in western Lancashire, England. It is roughly a 13-mile square-shaped peninsula, bounded by Morecambe Bay to the north, the Ribble estuary to the south, the Irish Sea to the west, and the Bowland hills to the east...
in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It consists of about 1,800 dwellings mostly 1940s and 1970s housing, with a population of over 6,000. It is one of the largest council estate
Council house
A council house, otherwise known as a local authority house, is a form of public or social housing. The term is used primarily in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Council houses were built and operated by local councils to supply uncrowded, well-built homes on secure tenancies at...
s in Lancashire and for many years suffered from serious social disorder with a reputation within the town for crime and drugs. Following the establishment, in 1997, of a problem-oriented policing
Problem-oriented policing
Problem-oriented policing is an approach to policing in which discrete pieces of police business are subject to microscopic examination in hopes that...
initiative the estate has seen a huge turnround resulting in a Government sustainable community award in 2005.
Geography and administration
The estate is part of the borough of Blackpool. The area is mostly urbanUrban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
. Grange Park is Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency. The estate is also in the North West England European parliament constituency
North West England (European Parliament constituency)
North West England is a constituency of the European Parliament. For the 2009 elections it elects 8 MEPs using the d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation.-Boundaries:...
. Grange park has one electoral ward, Park with two councillors.
History
The estates first housing was built in 1948,and it is the largest council populated area per head of local population in England.
For many years the estate was classed as a socially deprived area and encountered serious problems including poor image, poor educational standards, high unemployment rates, a range of social and behavioural problems and environmental dereliction. In April 1997 the Grange Park Initiative project was established to improve the estate and make it a better place to live. It began as a commitment by Bispham Police, who police the estate, to take a long term problem-oriented policing
Problem-oriented policing
Problem-oriented policing is an approach to policing in which discrete pieces of police business are subject to microscopic examination in hopes that...
approach to the communities needs after consultations with local people, councillors and the Resident Association groups.
The Grange Park Initiative objectives when it was established were:
- To improve the quality of life on the Grange Park Estate
- To target criminals and those involved in nuisance and disorder
- Create an environment for families
- Promote partnerships
- To encourage the accurate reporting and recording of crime, disorder and fear of crime
The estate's first Neighbourhood Watch scheme was set up in June 1998. On 4 July 1998, the estate celebrated its 50th anniversary with a procession and an It's a Knockout
It's a Knockout
It's a Knockout was adapted from the French show Intervilles. It ran between from 7 August 1966 to 25 December 1988 on BBC1, 28 May 1990 on ITV, 3 August 1991 to 24 December 1994 on S4C and from 3 September 1999 to 6 January 2001 on Channel 5, produced by Richard Hearsey and Ronin Entertainment...
style competition on the playing fields of Grange Park Junior School.
In February, 2005 Grange Park won the Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some counties, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, but is significantly different, though both...
, John Prescott
John Prescott
John Leslie Prescott, Baron Prescott is a British politician who was Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. Born in Prestatyn, Wales, he represented Hull East as the Labour Member of Parliament from 1970 to 2010...
's Award for Sustainable Communities
Sustainable community
Sustainable communities are communities planned, built, or modified to promote sustainable living. This may include sustainability aspects relating to reproduction...
as part of the Government of the United Kingdom's Sustainable Communities Plan
Sustainable Communities Plan
The Sustainable Communities Plan was launched in 2003 and is a key policy of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in guiding its regeneration and departmental objectives. It led to the a range of policies and plans which are in effect a spatial plan for the whole of England...
. At the award ceremony, John Prescott said of the estate, "The people of Grange Park live in one of the most deprived parts of the country...but they were determined to do something about it. Thanks to their energy and commitment, they’ve found new security and confidence in the place they live." Prescott also visited Grange Park during the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
spring conference, spending time at the Blackpool City Learning Centre
City Learning Centre
A City Learning Centre is a facility in the United Kingdom which provides state-of-the-art ICT-based learning opportunities for the pupils at the host school, for pupils at a network of surrounding schools and for the wider community...
.
On 31 March 2006 Blackpool Council hosted a one day conference "Sustainable Communities: Vision into Reality" at the Palace of Westminster
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
where they showed how "a strong multi agency approach working closely with the community has improved life for the residents of Grange Park." And in April 2007 it was revealed that crime on the estate had fallen by a further 9% in the preceding two years with the local Police Inspector, saying, "I think the drop has come as a result of a lot of hard work that has been going on over the last 10 years which is now coming to fruition."
Education
Grange Park has two primary schools, Boundary Primary School on Dinmore Avenue and Christ the King Catholic Primary School on Bathurst Avenue. The towns City Learning Centre is also located on Bathurst Avenue. It is a state of the artState of the art
The state of the art is the highest level of development, as of a device, technique, or scientific field, achieved at a particular time. It also refers to the level of development reached at any particular time as a result of the latest methodologies employed.- Origin :The earliest use of the term...
technology and resource centre which uses information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
to help local school pupils and community. It has three large training rooms as well as a professional standard broadcasting studio and radio station. The centre also has a public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
and internet cafe
Internet cafe
An Internet café or cybercafé is a place which provides internet access to the public, usually for a fee. These businesses usually provide snacks and drinks, hence the café in the name...
.
Religion
Churches in the estate include, St Michael and All Angels, Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
on Dinmore Avenue, which was founded in 1958 and Christ the King Roman Catholic on Chepstow Road which was founded in 1949.
Grange Park Wildlife Haven
Grange Park has a 2 acres (8,093.7 m²) wildlife conservation areaNature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
the Genesis Wildlife Haven, where a variety of wildlife can been seen. The area had previously been a wasteland before in 2002 a group of local residents formed a support group, "Christ the King Wildlife Support Group" to clean up the area. A nature conservation area was created for the benefit of local school children and community. A variety of birds have been seen at the haven including Blue Tit
Blue Tit
The Blue Tit is a 10.5 to 12 cm long passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is a widespread and common resident breeder throughout temperate and subarctic Europe and western Asia in deciduous or mixed woodlands...
, Great Tit
Great Tit
The Great Tit is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is a widespread and common species throughout Europe, the Middle East, Central and Northern Asia, and parts of North Africa in any sort of woodland. It is generally resident, and most Great Tits do not migrate except in extremely...
, European Greenfinch
European Greenfinch
The European Greenfinch, or just Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. The genus Carduelis might be split up and in this case, the greenfinches would be separated in their old genus Chloris again.This bird is widespread throughout Europe, north...
, Blackbird, Blackcap
Blackcap
The Blackcap is a common and widespread sylviid warbler which breeds throughout temperate Europe, western Asia and northwestern Africa, and winters from northwestern Europe south to tropical Africa...
, Chaffinch
Chaffinch
The Chaffinch , also called by a wide variety of other names, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.- Description :...
, House Sparrow
House Sparrow
The House Sparrow is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the House Sparrow occurs naturally in most of Europe, the Mediterranean region, and much of Asia...
, Jay
Jay
The jays are several species of medium-sized, usually colorful and noisy, passerine birds in the crow family Corvidae. The names jay and magpie are somewhat interchangeable, and the evolutionary relationships are rather complex...
, Kestrel
Kestrel
The name kestrel, is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects...
, White Wagtail
White Wagtail
"Pied Wagtail" redirects here. For the related African bird, see African Pied Wagtail.The White Wagtail is a small passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws. This species breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa...
, European Robin
European Robin
The European Robin , most commonly known in Anglophone Europe simply as the Robin, is a small insectivorous passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family , but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher...
, Song Thrush
Song Thrush
The Song Thrush is a thrush that breeds across much of Eurasia. It is also known in English dialects as throstle or mavis. It has brown upperparts and black-spotted cream or buff underparts and has three recognised subspecies...
, Sparrowhawk and Wood Pigeon
Wood Pigeon
The Wood Pigeon is a species of bird in the Columba genus in the Columbidae family. It is a member of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae.- Distribution :...
. In May 2007 pupils from Christ the King school built a small pond in the haven.