Client: West Lancs. Borough Council
Completion Date: May 2011
Duration: 14 weeks
Location: Skelmersdale nr. Wigan
Flaxton Square Amphitheatre is a community inspired resource, which was Lottery funded and constructed by Dowhigh Limited under the direction of West Lancashire Borough Council.
The area was previously a neglected and waterlogged grass slope. After a campaign by local residents, Lottery funding was secured, and Landscape Architect Penny Bennett was commissioned to produce the finished design.
The centre piece of the project is a circular mosaic pattern surrounded by granite setts. Local school children were encouraged to contribute to the design of the mosaic. The overall theme of the feature is a rainbow motif.
Existing grass and soil were removed by Dowhigh, and the ground prepared to install steps. Around the centre piece, the steps were built in Rustic Tegula kerbs laid in concentric circles.
The steps were in filled with sub base and asphalt, and overlaid with coloured Resin Bound Gravel.
A new plinth and wall were built in Chatsworth Grey brick, and the surface of the plinth inlaid with natural pebbles and granite setts.
An adjacent area of waterlogged grass was removed. This was bordered in matching Tegula kerbs and also inlaid with natural pebbles and setts. Existing manhole covers were disguised with recessed lids, infilled with pebbles to suit. A rainbow mural was erected, which conceals an unsightly refuse bin storage area from the square.
The surrounding areas of flags were taken up, re-profiled for better drainage, and relaid or replaced with new where broken.
