CONSERVATION CASEWORK LOG NOTESMAY2017
The GT conservation team received 99new cases in England and two cases in Wales duringMayinaddition to ongoing work on previously logged cases. Written responses were submitted by the GT and/or CGTs for the following cases. In addition to the responses below,ten ‘No Comment’responses were lodged by the GT and three by the CGTs in response to planning applications included in the weekly lists.
Site / County / GHS ref / Reg Grade / Proposal / Written ResponseClaverton Manor / Avon / E17/0070 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Erection of 2no entrance buildings and new groundworks, walling, paths, paving, steps and associated alterations to expand gardens following removal of existing ticket office and summerhouse. American Museum In Britain, Claverton Manor, Claverton Hill, Claverton, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset BA2 7BD. GARDEN / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 12.05.2017
We are grateful for the opportunity to comment on this proposal.
“Claverton Manor is listed as a Significant Asset. The description is almost entirely about the significance of the Old Manor, but it is noted that the New Manor is now open to the public as the American Museum in Britain. The Registered Grade II Gardens and Pleasure Grounds of 1820 – 30 are in an early C19 park, around a country house, incorporating the remains of terraced gardens of c1580 associated with the former manor house.
Having visited Claverton Manor in September 2016 and discussed the proposals for expanding the gardens, we understand the reason why there is a need to develop an attraction that will increase visitor numbers in a controlled way.
The proposals so far, are supported by Avon Gardens Trust. However we agree with the comments in the heritage impact assessment report that;
• As part of the introduction of further retaining walls, niches and steps it is recommended that the existing stonework be appropriately conserved. Any new additions should be aesthetically coherent with the history and geology of the area.
• The line of cherry trees will be removed, and new cherry trees will be planted below Eagle Steps. The height and placement of all new trees and shrubs should be checked against the planned views.
• The path is described as paved gravel. It is not clear what materials will be used. Both paving and gravel would be unsuitable both in terms of conservation and accessibility. Material examples should be supplied and assessed against DDA requirements.
• Archaeological watching brief to be followed as indicated by the impact assessment report.
• The method of keeping deer away from the rose collection, if visible, should be specified.
Summary: Providing the suggested conditions in the Heritage Assessment Table are implemented, Avon Gardens Trust support this proposal.
As previously notified to you, The Gardens Trust is the statutory consultee on matters concerning registered parks and gardens. The Avon Gardens Trust is the regional part of
The Gardens Trust.
We would be grateful to be advised of your decision, or if further information is submitted.
Yours sincerely
Ros Delany [Dr]
Chairman Avon Gardens Trust
Blagdon Water Gardens, Upper Langford / Avon / E17/0132 / N / PLANNING APPLICATION Outline planning permission for demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment to provide up to 30no. dwellings with associated access improvements, hard/soft landscape works and drainage. Access to be determined with all other matters reserved. Blagdon Water Garden Centre, Bath Road, Langford, Churchill BS40 5DN. RESIDENTIAL / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 23.05.2017
Summary: The Avon Gardens Trust objects to the application because it does not include proposals for the conservation of the Grade II listed heated wall and kitchen garden walls associated with the Mendip Lodge garden, and details of the future ownership and use of the kitchen garden which are necessary to ensure that it has a sustainable future.
The Avon Gardens Trust, formed in 1987, is part of The Gardens Trust which is the statutory consultee for proposals affecting sites in Historic England’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. One of its roles is to help safeguard the heritage of historic designed landscapes within the former County of Avon by advising local planning authorities on statutory and non-statutory parks, gardens and designed landscapes of importance.
Significance of the Listed Pineapple Heated Wall and Kitchen Garden Walls as a Heritage Asset:
Mendip Lodge Garden was a late 18th century garden of about 5 acres, laid out 300 feet below the house on level ground adjacent to Langford Brook. About half of the original garden has been built over, that which remains is covered by turf but contains a structure, listed Grade II, described as a south facing heated wall containing 32 unusual recesses believed to have housed the growing of pineapples. Also listed grade II are the walls of the kitchen garden. [Acknowledgement to Chris Stephens whose article in the Avon Gardens Trust Journal, no. 4 Summer 2009 underlines how rare 18th century heated walls and walled gardens are in the UK in the 21st. century].
Relevant Policies:
The National Planning Policy Framework:
“When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be. Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification. “(para 132)
Assessment:
No details have been submitted about the condition of the listed walls. In particular, the condition of the furnace room at the rear of the heated wall (shown in photographs on page 8 of the Heritage Statement) is a concern. This room appears to be in a dangerous condition and needs to be made safe as part of the conservation of the heated wall. Therefore a detailed survey of both the heated wall and the furnace room needs to be undertaken, and repairs and reinstatement should be carried out as part of this application.
The future ownership and use of the kitchen garden has not been explained in the application. It is necessary that this is known in order to ensure that the garden and its listed walls have a sustainable future. It is also important to ensure that there will still be access across the land proposed for the community green, and across the footbridges, into the kitchen garden. Suitable access for the future maintenance of the listed walls and the use of the kitchen garden needs to be known at this stage.
Conclusion:
As the listed walls and kitchen garden are not within the red outlined application site, these matters cannot be the subject of a condition on a permission, but can only be secured by a Section 106 Agreement between the applicants and the Council. If such an agreement is not entered into, then the Avon Gardens Trust considers that the application should be refused.
We would be grateful to be advised of your decision on this application.
Yours sincerely
Ros Delany (Dr)
Chairman, Avon Gardens Trust
Wimpole Hall / Cambridgeshire / E17/0101 / I / PLANNING APPLICATION Construction of Multi-use Trail in Sections of the Parkland, Farmland and Woodlands of the Wimpole Estate. Wimpole Hall, Wimpole Park, Wimpole Park Road. FOOTPATH/CYCLEWAY / TGT & CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 23.05.2017
Thank you for consulting The Gardens Trust in its role as Statutory Consultee with regard to proposed development affecting a site included by Historic England on their Register of Parks & Gardens, as per the above application. The Gardens Trust has conferred with our colleagues in the Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust (CGT) and we OBJECT to the proposed development in its present form.
The information on-line refers to a Heritage Impact Assessment Report but this is missing from the online documentation. Due to the sensitivity of the designed landscape at Wimpole, this is a crucial omission and The Gardens Trust feels that a complete assessment of the effects of the proposed multi-use trail cannot be effectively ascertained without this document.
The Planning, Design and Access Statement refers to 8.6km of track of which 3.6km (41.86%) is on existing track but over half, 5km (58.14%) is to be on newly constructed trails. Our concerns lie with the resulting potential for these trails to compromise the setting of the historic designed landscape and the listed structures by the introduction of features such as new bridges (that maybe required), the destruction and modification of historic boundaries/surfaces and development through the historic outer framework of Repton’s Belts.
The opaque multi-use trail detail route plans (RP) are insufficiently annotated, and fail to highlight several important historical features which will be adversely affected by the new proposals. I wish to comment in particular some of these to draw attention to the Gardens Trust’s serious concerns:
RP 2 – This section of new track lies within the Grade I parkland. It follows the inner line of the Belts that Repton deliberately kept thin so as to give respite from the track further north within the Belts. In addition the Belts at this point were added along a line of bank that could well be park of the original emparking which was in turn later walled in gault brick. Since the Trust took ownership this wall has been allowed to disappear and today the belts have acquired an internal fence rather than the outer wall. The proposed new track will offer a hard ribbon taking the eye away from the pastoral landscape.
RP 3 – Comments regarding the Belts in RP2 also apply in RP3. In addition the new track will affect an important view down into the parkland, another across to the house and a third out towards Arrington church and the far landscape beyond. The trail also passes through the SAM which is the terminal point of two of Radnor’s avenues. The introduction here of an alien surface so unlike grassland, and the fact that the track will veer away from the perspectives will lead to an uncomfortable jointure in the landscape. Where the track passes from the SAM into Grade I listing as it passes into the Belts, the Belts have for some reason (perhaps track preparation?) already been cleared, compromising the form and purpose of their creation. There is also an adverse effect on the significance of the historic designed landscape where the trail passes over a probable medieval ditch and double bank of the NW Park. At the information evening it was stated that the ditch would be culverted here which would certainly interfere with the integrity of the ditch and bank, if not destroying it at this point. Even if a bridge were chosen in preference, there is nothing to indicate and illustrate what the NT proposes, essential when making decisions about such a sensitive management and planning issue.
RP 7 – Another bridge will be required here when the trail emerges into open farmland beside the Folly, negatively affecting the setting of this Grade II* building. The comments in RP3 also apply.
RP 8 & 9 – The track will be visible from the Folly and therefore affect its setting.
RP 16 – Where the trail re-enters the Grade I parkland inside the park boundary, it again strays into an open paddock with views across to the farm and Pleasure Gardens, changing the nature of the setting of a complex of listed buildings as well as the Gardens that link the Park Farm to the House and the Eastern Avenue which runs through this paddock.
RP 17 – The landscape here is an open view for those entering the Hall as well as those also passing through and past the Hall. The buggy track here will introduce an element which is entirely contrary to the importance of the Drive to the Hall, by offering a confusion of both ground surfaces as well as direction, making the north/south route more important than the east/west route to the Hall. This section would seem to be attempting to direct visitors directly to Park Farm for revenue generating purposes, a remit which the park clearly does not fulfil.
In all the RPs there is a proliferation of signage which is far too numerous and will be most visually intrusive in the landscape.
The very obvious 5km of new trails across the historic parkland will have an detrimental effect upon the setting of both the buildings and registered parkland and the Gardens Trust & CGT would like to reiterate their strong OBJECTION to this ill-conceived scheme.
We would be grateful if you could please keep us informed as to the progress of this application.
Yours sincerely,
Margie Hoffnung
Conservation Officer
St Michael's Mount / Cornwall / E17/0150 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION A replacement heliport comprising a terminal building, hangar, helicopter landing pad, emergency vehicle garage, 274 staff and customer parking spaces, access from Jelbert Way, internal access roads and servicing, operational equipment and apparatus, fuel storage facility, landscaping, foul and surface water drainage, boundary fencing, lighting, acoustic mitigation, associated works and infrastructure. Land N Of Chy An Mor Roundabout, Jelbert Way, Eastern Green, Penzance, Cornwall. AIR / TGT WRITTEN RESPONSE14.05.2017
Thank you for consulting The Gardens Trust in its role as Statutory Consultee with regard to proposed development affecting a site included by Historic England on their Register of Parks & Gardens, as per the above application.
The Gardens Trust has liaised with our colleagues in the Cornwall Gardens Trust with regard to the potential affect this application may have on the setting of St Michael’s Mount. The flight frequency and directional information was helpful in this respect, and unless there is some flight path rule of which we are unaware, any flights to the Scillies would not pass over the Mount. Views from the Bay towards the Mount would also not take in the replacement heliport as this would be behind the viewer to the west. Equally, when looking from the Mount ashore, there is already considerable development along the A30, and The Gardens Trust does not feel that a new heliport will significantly affect the setting of the registered site.
We would be grateful if you could please keep us informed as to the progress of this application.
Yours sincerely,
Margie Hoffnung
Conservation Officer
Rousdon / Devon / E17/0114 / II / PLANNING APPLICATION Additional implement shed. 7 West Lodge, Rousdon, Lyme Regis DT7 3XP. MAINTENANCE/STORAGE/OUTBUILDING
/ CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 25.05.2017
Thank you for consulting The Gardens Trust on the above application which affects Rousdon, an historic designed landscape of national importance included by Historic England on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest at Grade II. The Devon Gardens Trust acts for The Gardens Trust in its role of Statutory Consultee. We have visited the site and have viewed the application documents on your website. The development proposal would appear to lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of the heritage asset of Rousdon.
Yours faithfully
John Clark
Conservation Officer
The Hoe
Mount Edgcumbe / Devon
Cornwall / E17/0143 / II
I / PLANNING APPLICATION Demolition of the existing sub-station and erection of two buildings comprising a 80-bed hotel and ancillary facilities (11 storeys) and 88 residential dwellings (15 storeys), access, pedestrian/cycle way, landscaping, car parking and servicing and associated infrastructure works. Former Quality Hotel, Cliff Road, Plymouth PL1 3BE. MAJOR HYBRID. See also E16/1529 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION 17/00294/MAJ / CGT WRITTEN RESPONSE 26.05.2017
Thank you for consulting The Gardens Trust and the Devon Gardens Trust on the above which affects The Hoe and the setting of Mount Edgcumbe , both of which are included by Historic England on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest at Grade II and Grade I, respectively.
The Devon Gardens Trust is a member of The Gardens Trust and acts on its behalf in responding to consultations in the County of Devon. We have viewed the documents on your website. We have visited The Hoe and Mount Edgcumbe many times and would ask you to consider the following comments:
The historic designed landscape of The Hoe adjoining the proposed development is highly sensitive and forms the maritime setting of Plymouth. Plymouth Hoe occupies a special place in England’s history and is perhaps best known for the story that Sir Francis Drake played his famous game of bowls here in 1588 before sailing out with the English fleet to engage with the Spanish Armada. The Hoe commands views of Plymouth Sound, Drake's Island, and across the River Tamar to Mount Edgcumbe
The proposal is for an eleven storey hotel and a fifteen storey apartment block on the site of the former Quality Hotel. The site is in a commanding positionimmediately adjoining The Hoe. This extremely important location clearly calls for a design of the highest quality in terms of height, scale, massing, architectural design, construction and materials if it is to be considered acceptable.