SITE 180 STOCKING CLOSE, LODGE FARM
OS REF:SK57611250-SK58051300
There is a Public Footpath over part of this land running from The Ridings to Woodfield Road.
Date: 9th October 2003
This was a visit to walk the area and see how the original fields had been made into one very large field. This piece of land backs onto my bungalow and I remember it 40 years ago when there were large trees, hedgerows and cattle grazed. The hedgerows were removed and five fields made into one. The maps show a field pond but working it as arable land has swallowed this up. There is another field pond shown on the maps just in front of the spinney and this site has been recorded as Stocking Close Pond 26 although there is no water but a shallow scrape in the ground. At the time of our visit it was full of sweetcorn. There is a public footpath running through one corner, which brings you out on The Ridings.
A further visit will be made to look at hedgerows and trees.
This land was put up for sale in February 2004 at £300,000 together with Merlin's Field, Site 134, for £40,000.
Site 180 from The Ridings looking to Templar Way. February 2010
Site 180 with Merlin's Field Site 134 to the right and Templar Way to the left. February 2010
Looking from The Ridings to Templar Way. February 2010
Site 180 looking to Stocking Close Spinney Site 193. Lodge Farm House centre at the back. October 2003
Site 180 looking to Stocking Close Spinney Site 193 and the Site of Pond 26 Stocking Close Pond Site at SK57921301 in the centre of the photo. March 2004
Pond Site 26 Stocking Close Pond on the edge of Stocking Close Spinney Site 193 and the boundary with Site 180 Stocking Close. March 2004
Looking into Site 180 from inside Site 193 Stocking Close Spinney over the site of Pond 26 March 2004
Pond 26 on the boundary of Stocking Close Spinney Site 193 and Stocking Close Site 180. March 2004
Sale of Land details prepared in September 2003
The two Lots. September 2003
The new owner wrote to all the residents adjoining the site explaining what his intentions were. To have it returned to farmland under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme appeared to be good news at the time.
The land was farmed under Level 1 of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme which was good news for wildlife until 2015 when a planning application for housing was lodged with Charnwood Borough Council. The fields were staked out and landscaping began with tree planting. However, permission was refused in 2016.
SITE 180 STOCKING CLOSE IN 2015
HIGHLY THREATENED
Looking from The Ridings to Templar Way. February 2015
Looking from The Ridings to Templar Way. February 2015
Looking from The Ridings with Templar Way back left and Westfield Lane to the right beyond Site 134 Merlin's Field. February 2015
This is a high part of Rothley but you cannot escape the Wanlip wind turbine. February 2015
Entering Site 180 from the Public Footpath over Site 181 Stocking. February 2015
Looking over Stocking Close to The Ridings and 'Bryngarth' from the Public Footpath on the boundary with Site 181 Stocking. February 2015
Looking over Stocking Close to Site 134 Merlin's Field and Westfield Lane. February 2015
Looking over Stocking Close to Site 134 Merlin's Field and Westfield Lane. Rear gardens of Templar Way to the left. February 2015
Looking over Stocking Close to Templar Way. February 2015
Looking to Lodge Farm, Breech Hedge and Templar Way to the right. February 2015
Looking to Site 193 Stocking Close Spinney. February 2015
The Planning Permission for building homes was not granted in 2016.
To return to the Landscape of Rothley and all the sites please click on the following link: