CONSERVATION CASEWORK LOG NOTES DECEMBER 2015

The GHS/TGT conservation team received 115new cases in England and6new cases in Wales during Decemberinaddition to ongoing work on previously logged cases. Written responses were submitted by TGT and/or CGTs for the following cases. In addition to the responses below, 6‘No Comment’ responses were lodged by GCTs in response to planning applications included in the weekly lists.

Site / County / GHS ref / Reg Grade / Proposal / Written Response
Hamels Mansion / Hertford-shire / E15/1126 / N / PLANNING APPLICATION New subterranean car parking structure for 10no. cars with 12no. parking spaces retained at street level and associated landscaping works. Hamels Mansion, Hamels Park, Buntingford, Hertfordshire SG9 9NA. PARKING / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 01.12.2015
Hamels gardens and park, as detailed in the Heritage documents, are of considerable historic interest, and included in the East Herts SPD on Historic Parks & Gardens. We agree with the suggestion in the Eldridge Design & Access Statement that garden archaeology be undertaken in the area of the car park. This area was shown as a lawned enclosure in the 1722 map but may have earlier remains beneath, perhaps from the landscape depicted in Chauncy. We are also concerned about the loss of trees. The 'Horse Chestnut' and 'Juniper' (page 4. Heritage Impact and Visual Legacy) document are in fact a sycamore and yew trees. The sycamore is not healthy and could be removed. The two yews are of historic significance, probably from the Victorian garden. A modified plan to retain these would help retain the historic significance of the landscape.
Kate Harwood
Hertfordshire Gardens Trust
Moor Park / Hertford-shire / E15/1147 / II* / PLANNING APPLICATION Alterations to land levels including importation of inert/non toxic fill material. Moor Park Mansion, Batchworth Heath, Rickmansworth. LANDFILL/WASTE / TGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 20.12.2015
Thank you for consulting the Gardens Trust with regard to the proposed development affecting a site included by Historic England on their Register of Parks and Gardens as per the above application. The Gardens Trust continues to be the statutory consultee for all sites on the Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
I have looked at all the documents available online regarding this application and was extremely concerned that despite the great importance of this particular historic designed landscape, there was no Heritage Impact Assessment included amongst the paperwork. It does not appear that the heritage value of this site has been considered or given any weight in the preparation of the application. As a Grade II* landscape Moor Park is of national importance, and therefore such factors cannot and must not be ignored.
The ‘New Practice Ground’ lies directly upon part of an area specifically landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown as part of the extensive work he did here in the 1750s. I am attaching an overlay of his plan upon an old OS map so you can see for yourself that the ‘New Practice Ground’ lies partly on an area where he planted some of his characteristic clumps of trees. This same part of the grounds was also where the Grosvenors laid out an ornamental arboretum with rare trees in the 1830s. The Arboricultural Assessment does mention that veteran trees (oaks, red cedars, coast redwoods etc) still remain. As if these important figures within the development of the designed landscape at Moor Park were not enough, Charles Bridgeman before Brown, and Thomas Mawson in the early 20th century were also involved in its layout. Land levels and contouring with Brown and Bridgeman in particular, are of especial significance and they both worked with, and adjusted, the natural topography of this part of the park to aesthetic and dramatic effect. For this reason, any changes in level will compromise the integrity of this important landscape and have a detrimental impact on its significance and setting as well as the Grade I mansion itself. It seems ironic that in 2016, the tercentenary of the birth of Capability Brown, which will be marked by an international celebration of his work, Moor Park might be damaged by this inappropriate application.
The Gardens Trust believes this proposal would damage the historic setting and significance of Moor Park and therefore OBJECTS to 15/2289/FUL. We would be grateful to be advised of your decision.
Yours sincerely,
Margie Hoffnung
Assistant Conservation Officer
CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 21.12.2015
Hertfordshire Gardens Trust are familiar with the history and topography of this site. As the area of development falls within the area previously laid out by Charles Bridgeman in the 1720s and Capability Brown in the 1750s, any changes of level due to importation of inert materials could cause harm, particularly as both designers sculpted the ground in this area to give their noted landscapes. Further, the planting in this area, as detailed in the arboricultural report, indicates that this was part of the arboretum planted in the 19th century with rare trees which is again part of the history of the site. Arboriculturalists from Kew Botanic Gardens have commented on the quality of some of these 19th century exotics. This landscape has been Registered as II*, of exceptional national historic interest, and given the effect the practice ground would have on these three very important phases of its development, we would have expected a Heritage Impact Assessment . There appears to be no consideration of the heritage value of this site included with the application documents, not any indication of measures proposed to mitigate the harm to the historic landscape caused by the suggested changes.
In view of the lack of a Heritage Impact Assessment, the harm the development would cause to the historic landscape and its significance and the harm to the setting and significance of the Grade I mansion, HGT object to the proposal.
In the past few months HGT has run two study days at Moor Park to highlight the Brown contribution to, and acknowledge the importance of other phases of the landscape, the development of this exceptional site. This is part of the nationwide Capability Brown Festival which marks the tercentenary of his birth in 2016.
Hertfordshire Gardens Trust is a member of The Gardens Trust, stautory consultee,
Yours sincerely
Kate Harwood
Conservation & Planning
Hertfordshire Gardens Trust
Mentmore Towers / Buckingham-shire / E15/1185 / II* / PLANNING APPLICATION Erection of memorial. Mentmore Towers, Mentmore, Buckinghamshire LU7 0QH. SCULPTURE / TGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 21.12.2015
Thank you for consulting the Gardens Trust with regard to the proposed development affecting a site included by Historic England on their Register of Parks and Gardens as per the above application. The Gardens Trust continues to be the statutory consultee for all sites on the Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
I have looked at the documents concerning this application on line. I can see that much thought has been given to the design of the memorial temple and appreciate that it is clearly of great personal importance to the applicant. I would not wish in any way to add to their grief but would like to make a couple of comments which I would be grateful if you/they might consider should this application be approved.
It goes without saying that Mentmore is of great historical significance, and therefore anything done within the Registered Park must be given careful thought. As the structure will be visible from the south terrace, to minimize its prominence, would it be possible to set it slightly further back into the tree cover ? I am not quite clear if it is to be built directly over the grave, but if it is and therefore this is the only possible spot, perhaps consideration could be given to extending/filling out the rather sparse tree cover with appropriate 19th century evergreens (Viburnum tinus, Box, Yew Portugal laurel (Prunus lusitanica)? I also wonder whether the benches are vital? Placing the temple within a grove would make it more of a destination for private contemplation. Should you require more advice please do contact Dr Sarah Rutherford of the Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust.
I would be grateful if you could please keep us informed of the outcome of this application.
Margie Hoffnung
Assistant Conservation Officer
The Gardens Trust
Knowsley Park / Mersey-side / E15/1077 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION ERECTION OF SAFARI LODGE INCORPORATING TENT LOCATED ON RAISED PLATFORM, TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED CAR PARKING, WOODLAND PLANTING AND EARTHWORKS. Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot Bypass, Prescot, Knowsley L34 4AN. ZOO/SAFARI PARK / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 20.12.2015
Thank you for your consultation letter inviting The Lancashire Gardens Trust (LGT) tocomment on the above application. Direct contact with LGT is welcomed. The GardensTrust (TGT), the statutory consultee on matters concerning registered parks andgardens (formed in July 2015 from the merger of the Garden History Society and theAssociation of Gardens Trusts) now works closely with County Garden Trusts, and the
responsibility for commenting on planning applications in this context has now passed tothe Trusts.
The LGT recognises the importance of the heritage assets at Knowsley Park in being aRegistered Park and Garden Grade II, of considerable historic and cultural significanceextending to approximately 950 hectares. This includes the 220 hectares covered byKnowsley Safari Park. It is noted that some of the surviving parkland features owe theirorigin very probably to the work of Capability Brown, and 2016 is the tercentenary yearof his birth.
Subject to the comments given below the LGT supports the application as part of theEstate’s role in continuing the management of this very important landscape.
We have visited the site for the purpose of consideration of this application, and detailedexplanations of the proposals and the works involved have been given byrepresentatives of the applicant and the agent. At the meeting, the applicant’s teamexplained their strategy for Knowsley Safari Park in context of their plans for the
management of the whole Park landscape. We also had the opportunity to see theinterface of the Safari Park and the ‘private’ Park in the vicinity of White Mans Dam,where the landscape has the character of historic wood pasture which is a significantfeature giving value to this historic landscape. We noted that the views into the SafariPark are limited and there is a definite separation between the parkland associated withKnowsley Hall, as distinct from the area covered by the Safari Park.
The Safari Lodge is proposed on the highest part of the Safari Park from which fine longdistance views can be enjoyed to the landscape beyond the Park. It is noted that thislocation was subject to extensive tree felling in the 1970s during the establishment of theSafari Park. This has reduced Singletons Plantation to a fraction of its former extent. Inthe current application, significant areas of new planting are proposed which will recreatemuch of the former area of the Plantation. This is welcomed.
We understand that the Estate is in the process of reviewing its woodland managementplan, and the new planting covered by this application needs to accord with the historicand physical context of the wider Park. We discussed how the current applications and
the masterplan for the Safari Park offers considerable potential for restoring andreturning lost features of the former historic landscape. It is also important that the SafariPark management plan ensures that these features develop and are enhanced over thelong term. Assuming the application is recommended for approval, suitable conditionswill be required to ensure the detailed design of new woodlands respects the history ofthe site and is delivered and managed as intended. We look forward to seeing thisfurther work developed as the project progresses.
If there are any matters arising from this letter please contact me.
Yours faithfully
Stephen Robson
S E Robson BSc BPhil MA(LM) DipEP CMLI MRTPI
Chair, Conservation & Planning Group
Knowsley Park / Mersey-side / E15/1079 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION CONSTRUCTION OF TIGER HABITAT INCLUDING 2NO FENCED ENCLOSURES, VIEWING PLATFORMS, 1NO KEEPERS BUILDING AND ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS AND PLANTING. Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot Bypass, Prescot, Knowsley L34 4AN. ZOO/SAFARI PARK / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 20.12.2015
Thank you for your consultation letter inviting The Lancashire Gardens Trust (LGT) tocomment on the above application. Direct contact with LGT is welcomed. The GardensTrust (TGT), the statutory consultee on matters concerning registered parks andgardens (formed in July 2015 from the merger of the Garden History Society and theAssociation of Gardens Trusts) now works closely with County Garden Trusts, and the
responsibility for commenting on planning applications in this context has now passed tothe Trusts.
The LGT recognises the importance of the heritage assets at Knowsley Park in being aRegistered Park and Garden Grade II, of considerable historic and cultural significanceextending to approximately 950 hectares. This includes the 220 hectares covered byKnowsley Safari Park. It is noted that some of the surviving parkland features owe theirorigin very probably to the work of Capability Brown, and 2016 is the tercentenary yearof his birth.
Subject to the comments given below the LGT supports the application as part of theEstate’s role in continuing the management of this very important landscape.
We have visited the site for the purpose of consideration of this application,and detailedexplanations of the proposals and the works involved have been given byrepresentatives of the applicant and the agent. At the meeting, the applicant’s team
explained their strategy for Knowsley Safari Park in context of their plans for themanagement of the whole Park landscape. We also had the opportunity to see theinterface of the Safari Park and the ‘private’ Park in the vicinity of White Mans Dam,where the landscape has the character of historic wood pasture which is a significant
feature giving value to this historic landscape. We noted that the views into the SafariPark are limited and there is a definite separation between the parkland associated withKnowsley Hall, as distinct from the area covered by the Safari Park.
The Tiger Habitat is intended to be established within the existing Mizzy Plantation,which has recently been cleared of Rhododendron understorey, and this has revealedthe variety of mixed aged deciduous tree species, a number of which are some 150years old. The proposals have been designed around the existing trees and minimal tree
removal is intended. Arboricultural management and some new planting is indicated, butthe current application does not give details of new planting.
We understand that the Estate is in the process of reviewing its woodland managementplan, and the new planting covered by this application needs to accord with the historicand physical context of the wider Park. We discussed how the current applications and
the masterplan for the Safari Park offers considerable potential for restoring andreturning lost features of the former historic landscape. It is also important that the SafariPark management plan ensures that these features develop and are enhanced over the
long term. Assuming the application is recommended for approval, suitable conditionswill be required to ensure the detailed design of new woodlands respects the history ofthe site and is delivered and managed as intended. We look forward to seeing thisfurther work developed as the project progresses.
If there are any matters arising from this letter please contact me.
Yours faithfully
Stephen Robson
S E Robson BSc BPhil MA(LM) DipEP CMLI MRTPI
Chair, Conservation & Planning Group
Temple Newsam / West York-shire / E15/1080 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Three detached agricultural buildings, one welfare cabin, cycle and fuel
store, laying out of access road. Temple Newsam House, Templenewsam Road, Halton. MAINTENANCE/STORAGE/OUTBUILDING / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 18.12.2015
I am writing on behalf of The Yorkshire Gardens Trust (YGT), established in 1996, which works to conserve and foster the region’s heritage of parks, gardens and designed landscapes for the benefit of present and future generations. The YGT is a member of The Gardens Trust, a new charity formed recently which amalgamated the Garden History Society and the Association of Gardens Trusts. The YGT is a member of the Historic Environment Forum for Yorkshire and has close links with Historic England in planning and conservation matters related to historic parks, gardens and designed landscapes. Registered parks and gardens are designated heritage assets and subject to the planning policies within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Paragraph 128 of the NPPF clearly states that in determining planning applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including the contribution made by their setting. We note with concern that this application contains no reference to the heritage assets of Temple Newsam, nor to the significance of the Grade I listed House and the historic landscape, which is on the Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens at Grade II.