Spinney Hills facts for kids
Spinney Hills is a neighborhood located in the city of Leicester, England. It is found just north of the Highfields area, with Spinney Hill Park at its heart. To the north of Spinney Hills is Northfields, and to the east is North Evington. The railway line is to the west, and the main part of Highfields is to the south. Spinney Hills is also a "ward" of Leicester, which means it's an area used for local elections. In 2011, about 25,561 people lived here.
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Spinney Hill Park: A Green Space for Everyone
Spinney Hill Park is a large green area, about 34 acres (13.7 hectares) in size. It was created in 1885 on a sloping piece of land. The main reason for building this park was to give people on the east side of Leicester a place to enjoy nature and relax outdoors.
The Town Council of Leicester worked hard to create parks for its growing population. They opened Abbey Park in 1882 in the north, changed Victoria Park from a race course in 1883, and opened Western Park in 1887. This meant that within five years, people all around the city had access to parks and fun places.
How Spinney Hill Park Was Created
The land for Spinney Hill Park was bought from Mr. C.S. Burnaby in March 1886 for £18,000. A person named John Burns was in charge of designing the park. He planned the paths, decided where to plant trees and flowers, and set up the first things the park needed.
The park officially opened on August 24, 1886. Mrs. Hart, who was the wife of the Mayor, Israel Hart, performed the opening ceremony.
Park Improvements and New Features
Over the years, Spinney Hill Park has been improved. A special grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund helped make many changes. These improvements included creating a new "infinity garden," which is a special type of garden. A "reading mound" was also added, which is a small hill where people can sit and read.
The paths in the park were made better, and the stream that runs through the park was also improved. New seating and other park furniture were added, making the park even more comfortable and enjoyable for visitors.
Spinney Hills: A Special Conservation Area
In 1982, the area around Spinney Hill Park was given a special status. It was named the 'Spinney Hills Park Conservation Area'. This means that the park itself, along with the houses facing it, are protected. The conservation area also stretches south along Mere Road and includes buildings around the Mere Road, Hartington Road, and St Saviours Road junction.
Why is it a Conservation Area?
In 1983, the conservation area received 'Article 4' status. This is important because it means that if someone wants to change their house in this area, like replacing windows, doors, or their roof, they need to get special permission. This rule helps to keep the original look and feel of the neighborhood.
The main goal of the conservation area is to protect and improve the unique features of the area. It helps to make sure that any changes made to buildings fit in with the existing style and don't look out of place.
Protecting Historic Homes
When the Spinney Hills area became part of Leicester in 1892, many houses were built very quickly. The houses that faced the park were often bigger and more unique than others nearby. Most of these homes were built between 1890 and 1910.
These older houses and how they look next to the park are very important. That's why the planning protection is in place. It helps to make sure these historic homes and their connection to the park are preserved for the future.
