REPORT

City Government Llywodraeth y Ddinas

CABINET: 5 FEBRUARY 2004

AGENDA ITEM: 4

PORTFOLIO: CULTURE & SPORT

SUBJECT: PROGRAMME FOR PARKS PARTNERSHIP

Reasons for the Report

1. This report sets out a programme for parks partnership that outlines the delivery of the Council’s vision for parks set within the Ambitions for 2003 – 2004 and the Corporate Plan 2003 – 2004.

Background

2. Parks are a precious, public resource, offering free access to all Cardiff citizens and embracing all aspects of equal opportunities. However, nationally (UK wide) and locally, there has been a decline in the quality of parks provision due to changes in social attitude and a lack of investment in infrastructure and maintenance.

3. The Heritage Lottery Fund launched a new programme for funding public parks improvements in February 2003. The Public Parks Initiative provides a unique opportunity to obtain significant funding support for historic parks and gardens in public ownership. To progress this opportunity we need to confirm support for the Programme for Parks Partnership in early February 2004.

4. The decline of public participation in the lottery has limited the funds available to applicants, and the Heritage Lottery Fund have now indicated that they will only consider two applications for major schemes per authority per annum, one under £1 million and one over £1 million, irrespective of which Heritage Lottery Fund programme is being applied for. This means that any applications submitted must be able to demonstrate the full endorsement of the Council and its strategic policy objectives. Page 1 of 4

The Issues

5. The Programme for Parks Partnership has been prepared to show the Council’s commitment to investment in parks and to set out a framework for achieving corporate aims in respect of parks.

6. Demonstration of the Council’s commitment to parks will be achieved by:

· Preparation and implementation of a Parks and Green Spaces Strategy for Cardiff · Endorsement of a ten year programme of improvement to six historic parks in Cardiff

7. The appended programme delivers the requirements set out in the Ambitions for Cardiff 2003 – 2004 in terms of safeguarding the major parks and gardens of Cardiff and delivering the infrastructure improvements at Cooper’s Fields.

8. Both the programme and the individual projects contained within it will be managed within the Council’s Project Quality Assurance management system.

9. Full details of the proposed programme are appended to this report.

Reasons for Recommendations

10. Corporate support for the Programme for Parks Partnership is required to demonstrate the Council’s commitment to parks for the benefit of potential funding partners, including the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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ADVICE This report has been prepared in consultation with Corporate Managers and reflects their collective advice. It contains all the information necessary to allow Members to arrive at a reasonable view, taking into account the advice contained in this section. The Corporate Manager responsible for this report is Tom Morgan. Legal Implications The Executive may approve such strategies that are not reserved to the Council and may incur expenditure in pursuance thereof if such expenditure is within the approved Budget. It must also be recognised that the Council cannot fetter its discretion in future years although it may be bound to honour contractual commitments. The Deputy Leader within whose portfolio the function falls has delegated authority under the Executive Scheme to agree the submission of bids for additional resources from Government and other agencies. All decisions taken by or on behalf of the Council must (a) be within the legal powers of the Council; (b) comply with any procedural requirement imposed by law; (c) be within the powers of the body or person exercising powers on behalf of the Council; (d) be undertaken in accordance with the procedural requirements imposed by the Council e.g. standing orders and financial regulations; (e) be fully and properly informed; (f) be properly motivated; (g) be taken having regard to the Council's fiduciary duty to its taxpayers; and (h) be reasonable and proper in all the circumstances. Financial Implications Funding for Phase 1 of the Partnership Programme, , will be financed from Section 106 contributions. It is intended to use appropriate Section 106 contributions for all future phases to minimise requirement for capital provision in the Council’s capital programme for any of these Projects. Future projects will be considered through the project appraisal monitoring process if Council resources are required for the schemes. Any additional revenue Costs would need to be considered within the annual Budget setting process. Consequences Approval to proceed in accordance with this report will enable the Council to deliver its Corporate objectives in respect of parks and will also enable the Programme for Parks Partnership to be formally launched as part of the 2005 celebrations for Cardiff. The programme, if agreed, will involve partnership working both within the Council and with other external organisations. BYRON DAVIES Chief Executive 29 January 2004

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Background Papers: None

RECOMMENDATIONS

Cabinet is requested to agree:

(1) Parks Strategic Policy Statement

Cardiff’s parks and green spaces are a popular and precious resource, which make an essential contribution to the attractiveness of neighbourhoods, to the health and well being of local people, to the quality of the visitor experience, to the expansion of educational opportunities for young and old, to the economic viability of the city and to the quality of the city’s environment.

The Council will continuously improve its policy framework in order to add value to the provision and care of parks and green spaces within Cardiff by:

· Preparation of a parks and green spaces strategy · Preparation of a funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund on a phased basis, the first phase to be Bute Park

(2) Delivery of the Parks Partnership Programme

Cabinet approve the Parks Partnership Programme, as set out in the appended document, and the application for funding under the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Public Parks Initiative for Bute Park in the first instance.

COUNCILLOR MARION DRAKE

The following Appendix is attached:

Parks Partnership Programme

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Parks Partnership Programme

PARKS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME 2004-2014

Parks & Gardens 2, Alexandra Gate Ffordd Pengam CARDIFF CF24 2SA

Tel: 029 2068 4000

January 2004

Parks Partnership Programme

Parks Partnership Programme

Foreword from Councillor Marion Drake Deputy Leader (Culture & Sport)

Cardiff is framed with parks and green spaces. The city is fortunate to have inherited a network of public spaces which exist because of the vision and foresight of public minded individuals who demanded that municipal expansion be matched with accessible green space to create a healthy and attractive environment. Over the last 10 years, these historic green spaces have been supplemented by a range of new, modern areas for recreational enjoyment.

In the past 18 months, the establishment of CABE space in England and the launch of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Public Parks Initiative have revived national interest in parks and encouraged Councils to consider how this rich parkland heritage can be safeguarded.

However, aspirations and needs change through time. acknowledges that there is much work to be done to ensure that our historic public parks can be passed on to future generations.

I am delighted that the Council is supporting the Parks Partnership Programme as a demonstration of our commitment to the environment and heritage of our city and the well being of our citizens.

January 2004

Parks Partnership Programme

Parks Partnership Programme

Contents

Executive Summary 3

1.0 Introduction 5 1.1 Background 5 1.2 Purpose of Document 6 1.3 Cardiff Parks in the Wider Context 7

2.0 Proposed programme 9 2.1 Development of a Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 9 2.2 The Parks Partnership Programme 9 2.3 The Heritage Lottery Funding Process 10 2.3.1 Preparation and submission of Project Planning Grant application 11 2.3.2 Stage 1 Application 11 2.3.3 Stage 2 Application 12 2.4 Supporting Initiatives 13 2.4.1 Implementation of an Apprenticeship Scheme in the parks 13 2.4.2 Publication of A. A. Pettigrew’s ‘ Parks’ 14

3.0 Timescales 14 3.1 General Programme 14 3.2 Bute Park Programme 15

4.0 Parks Strategic Policy: Actions 16 4.1 Parks Strategic Policy Statement 16 4.2 Delegation of Authority 17 4.3 Delivery of the Parks Partnership Programme 17

Appendices 18 Appendix 1: Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 18 1.1 Draft Brief for Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 18 1.2 Programme for preparation of Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 20 Appendix 2: Brief history of Cardiff’s Parks 22 Appendix 3: Details of the Six Parks 24 3.1 Bute Park 24 3.1.1 Introduction 24 3.1.2 Assessment of Significance 24 3.1.3 Site issues 29 3.1.4 Opportunities 32 3.1.5 Implementation 38

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3.2 Park 46 3.2.1 Introduction 46 3.2.2 Assessment of Significance 48 3.2.3 Site issues 50 3.2.4 Opportunities 53 3.2.5 Implementation 59 3.3 Parc Cefn Onn 66 3.3.1 Introduction 66 3.3.2 Assessment of Significance 66 3.3.3 Site issues 68 3.3.4 Opportunities 71 3.3.5 Implementation 75 3.4 Forest Farm Country Park 80 3.4.1 Introduction 80 3.4.2 Assessment of Significance 80 3.4.3 Site issues 83 3.4.4 Opportunities 86 3.4.5 Implementation 91 3.5 Park 98 3.5.1 Introduction 98 3.5.2 Assessment of Significance 100 3.5.3 Site issues 103 3.5.4 Opportunities 104 3.5.5 Implementation 106 3.6 Splott Park 112 3.6.1 Introduction 112 3.6.2 Assessment of significance 112 3.6.3 Site issues 114 3.6.4 Opportunities 115 3.6.5 Implementation 119 Appendix 4: Timetable for Heritage Lottery Funding bid 124 Appendix 5: Financial profile for Parks Partnership Programme 126 Appendix 6: Sources and References 128

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Executive Summary

Cardiff has long been known as a ‘City of Parks’. Parks comprise 10% of the land area of Cardiff, and 30% of Cardiff Council’s total land ownership. They are a facility that can be enjoyed free of charge by everyone, regardless of age, gender, income, ethnic background or circumstance. The Council’s survey of parks use in June 2002 indicated that 90% of respondents regularly used local parks.

However, there has been a national decline in the quality of parks provision, which is UK wide. This reflects changes in social attitude and a lack of investment in the park infrastructure. In response, the Urban Green Spaces Task Force recommended the setting up of a national agency to champion public parks and bring about their renaissance. In England, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is publicly funding CABE space, established in October 2002 to bring excellence to the design and management of English parks. In addition, PPG17, the English planning guide for public parks and green spaces provides an excellent methodology for setting new standards of provision, based on quality as well as quantity. The Welsh Assembly Government has yet to implement policy in this area.

Cardiff’s vision for parks is set within the Ambitions for Cardiff 2003-2004 document and the Corporate Plan, 2003-2004, with a commitment to upgrade and develop the major parks within the city. This commitment coincides with the launch of a new Public Parks Initiative by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Parks Partnership Programme sets out a framework for achieving the Council’s corporate aims in the context of a ten year programme of investment in six historic parks and the preparation of a Parks and Green Spaces Strategy for Cardiff.

This document outlines the stages that need to be undertaken in order to achieve delivery of the programme. Details of the six parks are appended, with full cost estimates and programmes.

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background

Parks and other public spaces are for everyone. However, across the UK the quality of urban parks and green spaces has been in decline for several decades, despite the importance attached to them by the general public. Cardiff is particularly fortunate to have a framework of parks that have given rise to its image as a ‘City of Parks’. In the council’s survey of parks use (June 2002), over 90% of respondents reported that they regularly used a park or open space close to their home. Despite this, many of the city’s parks have suffered from the combined effect of changes in social attitude and lack of investment in the latter part of the 20th century and in the same survey, those who claimed that they did not regularly use a local park cited lack of security and poor maintenance as two of the main reasons for not doing so.

In England, CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, has recently (October 2002) launched a new unit, CABE Space, to champion parks and to bring excellence to the design and management of public spaces in towns and cities. This follows the recommendations of the Urban Green Spaces Task Force and the organisation is publicly funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, providing free advice to authorities in England. There is no equivalent organisation in .

Kit Campbell, in his Companion Guide to PPG17, defines a broad vision for parks which sets out a blueprint for the future of our urban green space. Again, PPG17 is only applicable to England.

‘A clean, safe and well maintained landscaped area, including water, which people of all ages will find attractive and stimulating for informal recreation, strolling and ‘watching the world go by’, with a mixture of colours, scents and sounds, and containing seats, paths, shelters, complemented by toilets, with some areas designated for specific activities such as sport or children’s play’. Kit Campbell Associates, Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A Companion Guide to PPG 17, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Wales is lagging behind England on the issue of green space management. At a recent Green Flag Stakeholder meeting in Cardiff (March 2003), the former Assembly Minister for Environment, Sue Essex, emphasised the importance of parks and green space in Wales, but this is yet to be translated into specific policy as it has in England.

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1.2 Purpose of Document

The Ambitions for Cardiff Cabinet Policy Statement for 2002-2003 committed the Council to the development of Cardiff as a pre-eminent cultural and sporting centre in which participation is encouraged and excellence celebrated:

‘ As part of the celebrations to mark Cardiff’s centenary as a city and golden jubilee as the capital of Wales, (we will) continue to upgrade and develop the major parks and gardens of Cardiff, including major infrastructural improvements at Cooper’s Fields to enable the hosting of major events’.

In order to progress this work, a briefing paper on Parks and Gardens Partnership Initiatives outlining the issues, was presented, seeking initial views from Cabinet, on the 12th December 2002. Following this, Cabinet considered it necessary to support the initiative to improve Cardiff’s parks and as a result, the Corporate Plan for Cardiff, 2003- 2004, identified specific targets for parks improvements as follows:

· To develop a Strategic Policy Investment Statement for the future maintenance and development of Cardiff’s Parks and Gardens during 2003-2004.

· To draft a Parks Partnership Programme

· To prepare appropriate bids to deliver the Council’s ambitions for Parks and Gardens that will be included in the annual budgetary process

This Parks Partnership Programme document provides the framework in which these aims will be achieved. It identifies the need for a strategic approach to the future maintenance and development of parks in Cardiff and outlines a proposal for a ten year programme to upgrade six historic Cardiff parks. In turn, it is anticipated that this investment will have a positive effect on improving standards across the city, creating a parks infrastructure for the next 100 years.

In response to the UK wide elevation of parks provision as a mainstream issue and as a result of the phenomenal success of the Urban Parks funding programme, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has recently (February 2003) launched a new initiative, the Public Parks Initiative. Heritage Lottery Funding provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to achieve the levels of funding required to safeguard the heritage of our public parks, balancing the needs of conservation and amenity for future generations.

It is intended that the Parks Partnership Programme becomes the policy basis upon which a phased series of applications for HLF funding for the six parks can be submitted. However, because this

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document sets out a framework for approaching proposed work on each of these parks, any of the proposals could be undertaken outside the suggested timeframe for HLF funding, utilising alternative funding streams if available. All projects within the programme will be managed in accordance with the Council’s Project Quality Assurance (PQA) system.

1.3 Cardiff Parks in the Wider Context

The City and County of Cardiff is 14,948 ha in area. Cardiff’s public parks and green spaces occupy more than 1,510 ha of the Council’s total landholding of over 5,000 ha. In other words, parks account for approximately 10% of the total land area of the county and approximately 30% of the Council’s total land ownership.

In 1994, Comedia/Demos studied Victoria Park in Cardiff as part of a national study of public parks and open Spaces in Britain. The report - Park Life, was published in 1995. The conclusion drawn from the study of Victoria Park was that the cost of managing the park offered excellent value for money when measured against the benefits derived from it by the citizens of Cardiff. However, the authors concluded:

‘We believe that the role of parks and open spaces in contemporary urban life is undervalued. They play an important role in maintaining the health and economy of the city, in addition to providing a more direct service to local people. With additional funding that role could be expanded and broadened to meet the needs of a greater number of people and to make an even greater contribution to city life’. ‘Victoria Park’ a report prepared by John Newton and Ken Worpole for Comedia/Demos, as part of a national study into urban parks, June 1995.

The Community strategy for Cardiff (Better Communities – Brighter Lives, Second Draft, March 2002), acknowledges care for the environment as a key priority that influences the health, well-being and quality of life of local people. The quantity of publicly accessible green space is a key indicator for the improvement of the environment in the city.

The objectives of the draft Cardiff Unitary Development Plan (2001 – 2016) emphasise the need to protect and enhance the environment and natural resources of Cardiff and there are general policies to protect and enhance both the historic parks and gardens within the city (Policy 1.I d) and areas of open space that are important for amenity, recreation or nature conservation. (Policy 1.J) This includes protection of the river corridors and networks of open space that provide wildlife corridors and / or facilitate access between the urban and rural areas.

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The Cardiff Countryside Strategy (currently under review), identifies the link between understanding and appreciation of the natural environment and awareness of opportunities for recreation and enjoyment of the environment both in the countryside and in urban green space. Parks contribute to the conservation and biodiversity of the local environment – a role that is still developing, but provides countless opportunities for local involvement in the natural environment.

The impact of parks on tourism is indirectly acknowledged in the Cardiff Strategic Tourism Growth Area Action Plan final report, January 2003, where it is stated that a well kept environment can make a positive contribution to enhancing a sense of place and local distinctiveness. This in turn elevates the visitor experience and contributes greatly to word of mouth recommendation and repeat visits, thereby contributing to the local economy. The proposed development of the heritage value of certain parks will extend the range of tourist attractions within Cardiff, and create a range of complementary horticultural and environmental destinations for specialist visits. The popularity of parks and gardens is well recognised and there is potential for these to become a tourist destination in their own right.

In general, successful, well maintained parks contribute greatly to the local environment. Residential property values around well established, well used parks tend to be higher than in the surrounding areas. According to CABE Space, in their report, ‘Wasted Space?’, (September 2003), this has been corroborated in a recent report from independent property database company, Hometrack which indicates that living near a well maintained park or open countryside can increase the value of the average home by up to 6%. Increases in property value will ultimately be reflected in higher property value bandings for collection of Council Tax. In addition, good quality local environments also attract inward investment where land is available for commercial development. The Greater London Authority’s Economics Department has recently produced a report, ‘Valuing Greenness’ which attempts to highlight the relationships between green spaces, house prices and local priorities. This demonstrates that the economic benefits of green space are considered to be worth evaluation and therefore worth protecting. On this basis, Cardiff’s reputation as a ‘City of Parks’ must enhance its economic viability.

The precise economic impact of providing individual public parks is difficult to measure due to the fact that these are open access facilities provided free at point of entry to the user. However, the strategic aims of this Parks Partnership Programme present an opportunity to carry out specific economic impact analyses on the sites put forward for funding to demonstrate their importance to the local economy.

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2.0 Proposed programme

2.1 Development of a Parks and Green Spaces Strategy

The final report of the Urban Green Spaces Taskforce, ‘Green Spaces, Better Places’, recommended that local authorities develop and implement a green space strategy, which integrates with neighbourhood renewal, countryside, regeneration, planning and housing development, community development, local health improvement, culture, children’s play and sports strategies. This has been adopted as a requirement by a number of grant aiding bodies, not least, HLF. The adoption of a Parks and Green Spaces strategy is seen as a corporate commitment to the provision of quality and variety in parks and green spaces. In England, the Strategic Enabling Scheme has been set up the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as part of the function of CABE space, to provide funding for Local Authorities undertaking preparation of a Parks and Green Spaces Strategy.

The Parks and Green Spaces Strategy for Cardiff will set out the parameters for increasing the quality, value, use and appreciation of urban green spaces, as well as providing methodologies for problem solving and determination of priorities. It will also address funding issues linking to the draft Parks Partnership Programme. The strategy will also sit alongside and link with the Council’s other plans and strategies, including amongst others the Development Plan, the Community Plan, the Crime and Disorder Strategy, the Nature Conservation Strategy, the City Centre Strategy, the Countryside Strategy and the Tourism Strategy.

A brief and timetable for the development of the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy for Cardiff is outlined in Appendix 1.

2.2 The Parks Partnership Programme

Six parks have been put forward for improvement under the proposed Parks Partnership Programme; Bute Park, , Parc Cefn Onn, Forest Farm, and Splott Park. These have all been selected for their heritage significance on local regional or national scale, the availability of match funding and / or partnerships with local, regional or national bodies and the urgent need to protect these areas from further deterioration.

The list of six parks is by no means exhaustive. Other sites which may be considered for inclusion are Cathays Cemetery, Thompson’s Park, Bishop’s Palace, and . These may be added to a revised or extended programme in the future.

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The partnership programme will present an opportunity to both conserve past heritage and respond to public need to provide green space that serves the multi cultural community of Cardiff. A brief history of Cardiff’s Parks is given in Appendix 2 and outline assessments of these parks, along with broad costings for the restoration works are given in Appendix 3.

2.3 The Heritage Lottery Funding Process

The HLF funding process has changed significantly following the introduction of the Public Parks Initiative in February 2003. The detail of the application route for each park will be determined by the total estimated cost of each project, but in general the route is as follows. It is important to recognise that success at any one of the stages does not guarantee that a final grant will be awarded.

Funding is awarded at a maximum rate of 75% grant with 25% match funding. Higher rates of match funding are positively encouraged and are more likely to receive support from HLF. Due to falling income from the Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund are restricting applications from Local Authorities across the board to one application per year under £1 million and one application over £1 million. It is therefore essential that all projects submitted have total support from the Authority and that there is co-ordination of bids within the Authority. The Lotteries Board indicated, in October 2003, that the six short listed cities for European City of Culture (including Cardiff) will be considered favourably for any lottery funding bid.

Diagrammatic details of the funding process are indicated in Appendix 4.

2.3.1 Preparation and submission of Project Planning Grant application

HLF will assist with finance up to £50,000 for preparation of information leading to submission of a Stage 1 Application under the Public Parks Initiative. This will require approval of this programme for parks investment as Council policy in order to progress any application for funding, and this document will be submitted along with any amendments and approvals as proof of that commitment. Approval of a Project Planning grant by HLF will take up to three months.

2.3.2 Stage 1 Application The main application will be achieved in one or two stages. The larger bids (Bute Park, Roath Park, Forest Farm, Parc Cefn Onn and Cathays

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Park) will require a two stage submission; this would be optional for Splott Park.

The following information will be required for each submission at the first stage. The compilation of this information will be funded in whole or in part by the Project Planning Grant.

· Conservation Management Plan for the park This document will need to demonstrate: Team set-up Understanding of the site Significance of the site Vision for the site Implementation · Audience Development plan · Access plan · Research showing a need or demand for the project · List of project work or activities · Proof of financial and non-cash contributions · Details of professional advisors · Full costing for the project · Survey plan · Master plan · Sketch designs for any new / restored features · Statement of current maintenance / management · Outline future management / maintenance proposals · List of development works or activities · Education policy · Training policy · Parks / green spaces strategy · Evidence of support for the scheme · Details of activities and new staff · Appointments strategy

Determination of award at this stage by HLF is likely to take about six months.

2.3.3 Stage 2 Application

Subject to the success of the Stage 1 application, or if a single Stage application is being prepared, the following information will also be required. Development costs for this additional work can be requested in the Stage 1 Application.

· Further details of all preceding information as requested by HLF · Costed and approved 10 year management and maintenance plan for the park

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· Any other information requested by HLF in support of the submission

The determination period for this stage of the application process will depend upon the volume of additional material being requested. In all, the procedure is likely to take a total of at least 23 months from date of first submission for the Project Planning Grant. The HLF Wales Office have not processed any grants under this scheme to date, but projects from other authorities under previous funding initiatives have been known to take several years to obtain funding and commence implementation.

2.4 Supporting Initiatives

2.4.1 Implementation of an Apprenticeship Scheme in the parks

The re-introduction of a pilot Parks Apprenticeship scheme into Cardiff, after 30 years, presents a real opportunity to promote and develop local, specialised horticultural skills and revive a traditional, local avenue of employment for school leavers.

It is now widely accepted that the introduction of Compulsory Competitive Tendering is one of the main reasons for the drop in standards of green space maintenance as costs were cut to increase competitiveness. The Parks Apprenticeship scheme will help to redress this balance by developing young horticulturalists with a broad skills base which in turn will help to boost maintenance standards throughout the city.

The ongoing development of the Apprenticeship Scheme will take into account the need to match the standard of restoration and renewal implemented under the Parks Improvement Initiative with an equally high and appropriate level of maintenance and management. There is a growing recognition that the skills required to sustain landscapes, habitats and artefacts are as much part of the heritage as the elements being maintained.

‘The United Kingdoms heritage is, in part, the product of generations of skilled labour’. Frontispiece to HLF Document – ‘Sustaining our Living Heritage’

The Parks Apprenticeship Scheme is a demonstration of Cardiff’s commitment to the important role played by public parks and horticulture in the life of the capital city of Wales.

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2.4.2 Publication of A. A. Pettigrew’s ‘History of Cardiff Parks’

The Council has a unique record of the history and development of Cardiff’s public parks in the form of a six volume typewritten manuscript written by A. A. Pettigrew, younger brother of W. W. Pettigrew, Cardiff Corporation’s first Head Gardener. Indeed, the Pettigrew family have numerous links to Cardiff’s horticultural history. Andrew Pettigrew, father to ‘A. A’ and ‘W. W’, was Head Gardener to the Bute Estate, based at , and the middle son, Hugh Pettigrew, became Head Gardener to the Earl of Plymouth’s Estate at St. Fagan’s Castle.

A. A. Pettigrew succeeded his brother as Chief Parks Officer in 1913, following W.W. Pettigrew’s departure to Manchester Corporation, and he remained in post until his death in 1936. One of his lasting legacies was the meticulous research he carried out and documented on the development of the parks service in Cardiff. This material draws upon documentation from the early 19th century to the 1930’s, and provides a first hand account of the development of Cardiff and its open spaces.

The publication of this research would be a means of giving the public intellectual access to a wealth of historic information that is currently only accessible to a limited number of specialists by request; this action accords totally with the HLF’s own aims of developing and extending new audiences for heritage material and experiences.

The information could be published in a variety of forms; popular, illustrated book format; academic volume; web enabled access and video format are all under consideration.

3.0 Timescales

3.1 General Programme

The programme for the submission of successive grants will be dependent upon any changes made to the funding programme of the Heritage Lottery Fund during the period of the programme and also upon the success or otherwise of earlier applications.

A detailed programme for an application for Heritage Lottery Funding for Bute Park is given below. The timescales are subject to the necessary approvals being obtained within the timeframe to meet with this programme. The timescale for the remaining five parks are indicated in outline only in Appendix 3 as the timescales for these will depend, to some extent, upon the timeframe of the Bute Park application.

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3.2 Bute Park Programme

January 2004 · Approval of Parks Partnership Programme by Council, including approval of Parks and Green Spaces Strategy Brief · Formal submission of Parks Partnership Programme document to HLF with a covering letter from Chief Executive as proof of commitment to the programme

February – July 2004 · Preparation of Parks and Green Spaces Strategy in conjunction with other service areas and external consultation

February 2004 · Submission of Project Planning Grant for Bute Park to HLF

May –October 2004 (or earlier start, depending upon determination of HLF grant) · Preparation of First Stage HLF bid for Bute Park

June - July 2004 · Consultation on Parks and Green Spaces Strategy

July – August 2004 · Prepare final strategy document for Parks and Green Spaces Strategy

November 2004 · Approval of Parks and Green Spaces Strategy by Council · Completion of Stage 1 submission for Bute Park

November 2004 · Submit Stage 1 submission for Bute Park to HLF using Parks and Green Spaces Strategy as supporting information. (Draft document will be considered of full document is not yet approved).

November 2004– April 2005 · HLF consider Stage 1 submission for Bute Park · Prepare 10 year maintenance and management plan for Bute Park

May 2005 onwards · Subject to successful Stage 1 submission, prepare Stage 2 submission in line with HLF comments on first submission

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Late summer 2005 · Submission of Stage 2 submission (timing will depend upon information required by HLF)

Late autumn 2005 · Subject to successful Stage 2 submission, announcement of HLF funding and commencement on site timed to coincide with Cardiff’s City and Capital celebrations.

Three year construction period – completion late 2008

4.0 Parks Strategic Policy: Actions

The Cabinet Briefing paper on Parks and Gardens Initiatives (December 2002), and the Corporate Plan, 2003-04 together indicate a series of actions which need to be taken in order to progress a programme of parks improvements in line with the aspirations detailed in this document. Each of these actions is outline below.

4.1 Parks Strategic Policy Statement

Cardiff’s Parks and Green Spaces are a popular and precious resource, which make an essential contribution to the attractiveness of neighbourhoods, to the health and well-being of local people, to the quality of the visitor experience, to the expansion of educational opportunities for young and old, to the economic viability of the city and to the quality of the city’s environment.

The Council will continuously improve its policy framework in order to add value to the provision and care of parks and green spaces within Cardiff.

In order to achieve this objective, the following programme will be implemented immediately:

· Preparation of Parks and Green Spaces Strategy Draft to be prepared for consultation in May-June 2004 with a view to final approval of the completed document in November 2004

· Preparation of successful funding bid to Heritage Lottery Fund on a phased basis, the first phase to be Bute Park Project planning grant to be applied for during February 2004 with a view to submission of Stage 1 bid for funding in November 2004 (following approval of Parks and Green Spaces Strategy)

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· Subsequent implementation of a rolling programme of successful Heritage Lottery funding bids for the remaining five parks in accordance with the proposed timescale

4.2 Delegation of Authority

Delegation should be given to Corporate Manager in consultation with the Cabinet Member responsible for Parks and Gardens as Cardiff’s ‘Champions for Parks’, to approve the necessary stages of preparation of the funding bid for Bute Park in order to ensure that the decision making process is progressed.

4.3 Delivery of the Parks Partnership Programme

Appropriate levels of capital and revenue funding will need to be built into the annual budgetary process to ensure the long term sustainability of the Parks Partnership Programme as follows:

· Match funding for capital investment in the 10 year programme of parks improvements using Section 106 monies as the major source of match funding for these works.

· Increased revenue funding for raising standards of maintenance, where this indicated as necessary in the 10 year maintenance and management plans to be prepared for sites as part of the HLF (or other externally funded) commitment.

· Review of current maintenance and management practices and funding to be carried out as part of the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy.

· The development of working partnerships with suppliers, developers and users of parks facilities as a source of funding and support for the improvement and sustainability of parks and green spaces in Cardiff.

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Appendix 1: Parks and Green Spaces Strategy

1.1 Draft Brief for Parks and Green Spaces Strategy

1.1.1 Scope and Content

The Parks and Green Spaces Strategy will provide an overview of assets, policy, resources and marketing of public green space within Cardiff. The strategy will set out planned and co-ordinated actions designed to achieve the policy objectives of the Council within available resources within the context of a two year action plan.

The Strategy will be issue driven, in line with the objectives of the Corporate Plan to deliver a quality, value for money service that meets the needs of users. It will deal with issues of quality, accessibility and quantity and provide methodologies for dealing with the management of a wide range of open space types.

The Strategy will identify local priorities, help to co-ordinate actions, raise the profile of the parks service and promote debate on the standards of service provided.

1.1.2 Objectives

The following objectives have been suggested by CABE Space as a means of focussing the content of a Parks and Green Spaces Strategy.

· To instil a holistic approach to green space provision, promoting green space as a co-ordinated network rather than as individual spaces

· To ensure that the maintenance and management of green space is addressed as an integral part of green space provision

· To promote the provision of a network that satisfies three criteria:

o Quality – a range of space type in addition to larger parks and open areas and better use of smaller open spaces, especially those related to housing o Accessibility – safe and convenient green space, integrated into the public realm of streets, footpaths and rights of way o Quantity – sufficient size and number of green space

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· To serve better the needs of users, especially those with little or low access to quality green spaces, through targeting of area of poor existing provision

· To facilitate the role of green space networks in achieving the objectives of PPG17 (or Welsh equivalent), especially the wider aims of sustainable development:

o Nature conservation, bio-diversity and improved air quality o Social inclusion and community cohesion o Health and well-being, including the social development of children o Increasing accessibility of amenities by walking, cycling and public transport

· To promote joined-up development and a collaborative approach to implementation in association with other local authority strategies, particularly those affecting quality of life. The strategy should be co-ordinated with national and regional agencies and implemented in partnership with other agencies, local business and voluntary and community groups.

· To promote a local focus for green space provision, with greater involvement by local people and development of service and delivery around local needs.

· To ensure ongoing success through designation of a senior council member as ‘Parks and Green Space Champion’ and implementation of monitoring, evaluation and review procedures.

1.1.4 Identification of Issues

The initial survey of public use of parks which took place in June 2002 provides a baseline view of the public’s attitude to parks. This will be re-evaluated to determine if additional public input is required. Further public consultation may be commissioned if there appear to be shortcomings in the responses received.

Issues identified by external stakeholders will also be covered in the Strategy.

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1.2.1 Timescale

January 2004 Set up project team, review consultation to date and determine additional consultation needs. Appoint external consultant to input into the process and monitor progress. Initiate consultation and develop links with external stakeholders.

January – June 2004 Produce draft strategy in conjunction with internal and external partners.

June - July 2004 External consultation on strategy

July – September 2004 Prepare final strategy document

November 2004 Approval of strategy by Cabinet / Council

1.2.2 Resources

The Strategy will be implemented using in house staff. Cover of their existing roles will be achieved using a proportion of the £90,000 allocated towards resourcing the Parks Partnership Programme during the current financial year 2003-2004, of which this forms a central part.

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Appendix 2: Brief history of Cardiff’s Parks

Until the end of the 1700’s, Cardiff was a very small town with no special recreational facilities for its population of barely 2,000. By 1851, the population had risen to 18,000, and doubled again to 33,000 ten years later. This dramatic rise in population caused tremendous pressure and overcrowding on local amenities. The same situation was repeated across Britain, and resulted in Parliament appointing a Royal Commission in 1843 to look into the conditions of large towns and to formulate proposals to make improvements to the urban environment.

One of the recommendations of the Royal Commission’s report in 1845 was that local administrative bodies be empowered to raise funding to provide ‘public walks’ for the use of citizens. Three years later, in 1848, the Public Health Act was passed which set up Local Boards of Health to improve sanitary conditions in towns. These Boards also had the powers to ‘provide, maintain, lay out, plant and improve premises for the purpose of being used as public Walks or Pleasure Grounds.’

Cardiff’s Board of Health was established in 1850, but initially no action was taken in respect of public walks. Cardiff citizens had traditionally had free access to the Castle Green as a public promenade from the late 18th century until 1855. In 1858, was opened as a privately owned park provided by the Marquess of Bute for the benefit of the citizens of Cardiff in lieu of the closure of the castle grounds to public access.

In 1859, Cathays Park was suggested for a ‘people’s park’, and the Marquess of Bute was approached with a view to leasing the land, but he refused, suggesting instead that the Board lease the land to the north of Sophia Gardens, which the Board were not prepared to do. In 1874, a second application was made for use of Cathays Park, which was again refused. In 1875, the Local Board of Health was dissolved and Cardiff Corporation took over responsibility for public parks and in the same year, the Cardiff Improvement Act expanded the boundaries of Cardiff. This increased the powers of the Corporation to encompass the provision of the water supply and the provision of public pleasure grounds.

At this time, a site in was being considered for purchase as a public park, but again, the idea was dropped when it was realised that residential land values were being demanded for the site. In 1879, it was then suggested that part of the land acquired for the new cemetery at Cathays be used for public recreation until it was required for internments. This was opened for use in 1881 and was in use until 1895, when it was returned to use as a burial ground.

In 1889, the Corporation accepted the offer of 11 open spaces (Gardens) donated by the Marquess of Bute, including Adamsdown Square, Clare Gardens, Despenser Gardens and Plasturton Gardens. These were the first acquisitions of municipal open space for the Corporation.

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Earlier, in 1886, a proposal for a park at Roath had resulted in the formation of the Roath Park Committee. In 1887, this had been renamed the Parks and Open Spaces Committee, and construction had started at Roath Park in the August of that year. The park was eventually completed in 1894 at a cost of £55,000, the equivalent of £3.4 million at 2002 prices.

In 1891, William Wallace Pettigrew, son of Andrew Pettigrew, Head Gardener for the Bute family at Cardiff Castle, was appointed as Head Gardener for the Cardiff Corporation to act under the direction of the Borough Engineer, William Harpur. This working partnership resulted in a period of tremendous activity between 1891 and 1907 when twenty one parks, including Roath Park, were constructed in Cardiff, setting out the framework within which the modern city developed.

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Appendix 3: Details of the Six Parks 3.1 Bute Park

3.1.1 Introduction

Bute Park comprises 53 hectares (130 acres) of parkland which is bounded by the city centre to the south, the to the west and the civic centre of Cathays Park to the East. The park extends northwards from the castle to the junction with Western Avenue at Gabalfa. Beyond this, a further series of open spaces follow the Taff, linking the centre of Cardiff to the northern rural fringe.

The southern section of the park was laid out as part of the pleasure grounds of Cardiff Castle, the seat of the Marquises of Bute that was gifted to the people of Cardiff in 1947, along with the Castle. The whole area is now one of the largest urban parks in the country, also providing the setting for many open air events on a local, regional and national scale.

3.1.2 Assessment of Significance

a) Historic significance

Bute Park has been co-listed, along with the Castle Green, as a Grade 1 historic landscape in the CADW / ICOMOS Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. It described as one of the largest urban parks in the country, designed by one of the foremost designers of the second half of the nineteenth century, Andrew Pettigrew.

There are many different layers of history contained within the Bute Park site, which can be clearly traced back to the Roman period when a road was built. Successive timber bridges over the Taff were constructed forming the access point to the city from the west. A Dominican Friary was established on the site in 1256, and subsequently destroyed by the Welsh rebel, Owain Glyndwr in 1404. It was rebuilt but eventually vacated in 1538 following the dissolution of the monasteries. The site was subsequently excavated and ‘interpreted’ by the Third Marquis of Bute, and provides a fascinating insight into late nineteenth century understanding of archaeology. This site remains a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The West wall of the town, several mills and other buildings were also situated within the

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Bute Park Site Location

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current park boundaries, but evidence of these was been obliterated during the laying out of the Victorian landscape.

Much of Pettigrew’s original form and planting of the castle grounds still survives within Bute Park, although requiring much management and restoration work. Notable surviving features of the park include: the Moat, the ruined Dominican Friary, the , the Walled Garden (now the Council’s production nursery) and the Dock Feeder. The castle grounds (the area from the Sophia Gardens footbridge and south to the main road) were bequeathed to the people of Cardiff in 1947 and have been managed by the Council since this time. The land north of this area up to the bridge at Gabalfa was purchased by the Council at the same time.

The site is contiguous with Cardiff Castle, and one of the aims of the proposed renovation work is to re-establish this link. The former castle grounds (the ‘bequested’ land) will be managed in a much closer relationship with the castle. The opening up of the North Gate of the castle will provide unimpeded access from the castle into the former grounds, which will inevitably increase visitor numbers into the park and make the area more secure for users. The link will also be emphasised both intellectually, by emphasis on the social history of the running of the Bute Estate, a lifestyle that continued until the bequest of the estate to Cardiff Corporation in 1947, and physically, by the reintroduction of lost features such as the ‘Swiss Bridge’, designed by , the famous Victorian architect and designer, responsible for much of the renovation of Cardiff Castle. This bridge provided access into the grounds from the south western side of the castle, below the clock tower, and the opening up of the north gate of the castle, providing a direct link between the castle green and the park. The benefits of these improved links will impinge on both the castle and its grounds (Bute Park).

b) Strategic significance

Bute Park has a unique history which is important at a national level due to its links to the castle and its location within the heart of the capital city and at a local / regional context due its role in the development of the city itself.

The park is unique in that it forms an extensive ‘green lung’ of open space reaching right into the heart of Cardiff’s city centre. The Strategy 2003-2006 indicates that the preservation and enhancement of the distinctive character of the Bute Park / Cathays Park area is a primary aim of the authority. The quality of the landscape in Bute Park must therefore be of

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the highest order to meet the Council’s aspirations for the City Centre and to reflect Cardiff’s status as a European capital city.

The status of the park is strongly influenced by recent and future developments in the City Centre. The award of £5.7million from HLF supporting the £8 million project to restore and safeguard the heritage of Cardiff Castle will impact upon the park by raising the expectations of visitors to the castle. In 2002, Cardiff Castle had 220,117 visitors, including those attending events within the castle green. The total visitor number for the whole of Cardiff for 2002 was 10,672,000.

The is south of the site, on the opposite side of Castle Street and Queen Street, Cardiff’s premier shopping street, and the fourth most visited shopping street in the UK, is across the road from Cardiff Castle. In the future, the further expansion of the retail base in Cardiff by the development of St David’s Phase 2 will undoubtedly increase visitor numbers to the City. Bute Park is ideally located to provide a quality park land experience for all city centre visitors, less than a stone’s throw away from the bustle of the retail heart of the city and this objective is supported by the City Centre Strategy 2003-2006.

Bute Park, in particular Cooper’s Field, hosts a full events programme each year. The types of events range from locally supported walks and sponsored events to major national, regional and commercial events; concerts, fireworks displays, festivals and sporting fixtures. The character of the ‘’ would be enhanced by the more formal provision of an events infrastructure in this area. The use of Cooper’s Field for events has been identified in the Cardiff Strategic Tourism Growth Area Action Plan, prepared for the County Council by L & R Management, January 2003 and the improvement of this area for events is supported in the City Centre Strategy 2003- 2006.

Cardiff’s Corporate Plan 2003-2004, June 2003, indicates, as a specific target for sustainability, the development of the identified structural improvements to Cooper’s Field, subject to finance being available.

The completion of the Barrage and the ensuing rise in water levels in the Taff has provided the opportunity to improve access to the riverside within Bute Park, including extension of the water taxi service within the bay to serve Cardiff Castle via a new boat stage in the park.

The City Centre Strategy 2003-2006 recognises that environmental quality is an essential feature in attracting inward investment and contains an Area Action Programme for the

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Cathays Park / Bute Park area. The Action Plan aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of Bute Park and supports the notion of a submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund for restoration of the historic landscape.

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama have approached the Council with a view to developing a new recital / rehearsal pavilion within Bute Park. This development, which is not intended to set a precedent for any future development within the park by the college or others, will include compensatory payment for the loss of public open space and amenity within the park which will be used to upgrade the existing park infrastructure in the context of the Heritage Lottery application.

The Draft Cardiff Unitary Development Plan (2001-2016) Policy 2.56 Historic Gardens and Parks affords appropriate protection to historic parks such as Bute Park, as required by legislation and Planning Policy Wales. This will ensure that the character, setting and historic value of the park is preserved and enhanced. Any new development proposals requiring planning consent will be developed in accordance with these principles and will be assessed in accordance with the information held on the Register and determined accordingly.

The Cardiff Biodiversity Ballot indicated that public parks are the most popular place for respondents to visit to experience local wildlife. (Source, Wild About Cardiff, Cardiff’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan, March 2002). The broad range of habitats within Bute Park (riverside, dock feeder, woodland, grassland etc), and its location on a river corridor, makes it a strategically important site for wildlife.

c) Horticultural / Botanical significance

Bute Park Arboretum contains a fine collection of trees, the plantings dating from a number of periods. There are inevitably trees within the park that pre-date the work of Andrew Pettigrew in the 1860’s, and therefore reflect the landscape of the farmed estate. There are no known plans of the Pettigrew work, but the structure of the planting can be assessed from Ordnance Survey plans from 1880 onwards. Subsequently, in 1947, the park was transferred to Cardiff Council, and the Director of Parks at the time, Mr. W. Nelmes, initiated the planting of the Arboretum with various collections of Acer, Crataegus, Betula, Ulmus, Prunus, Malus and many other more unusual species. In 1988, this planting resumed, with a tree donation scheme, which has increased the diversity and range of trees within the collection, with around 600 trees planted since that time.

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Little is known about the shrub and herbaceous plantings of the original landscape of the castle grounds developed by Andrew Pettigrew. There appear to be no plans of the grounds; therefore what is known has come from the recollection of former workers on the Bute Estate. The herbaceous borders adjacent to the River Taff existed in reduced form in 1947, and there were also shrub collections of Hydrangeas and Camellias, which are in evidence in contemporary photographs. There is a considerable amount of research required to extend our knowledge in this area.

3.1.3 Site issues

a) Integration with Cardiff Castle

Bute Park was originally the private garden and estate of Cardiff Castle, but the significance of this link has been lost, with direct access from the Castle to the park (via the North Gate) closed to the public. The support document for consent applications for Cardiff Castle, ‘Conserving Cardiff Castle – The 15 Year Plan’ (March 2002), establishes the principle of open (non-paying) access to the Castle Green and the opening up of the North Gate for public access from the Castle into Bute Park (also referred to as the extended castle grounds).

The prospect of greater integration between the castle and its former estate will help to raise the status of Bute Park as a City Centre location. The specific reference to ‘major infrastructural improvements at Cooper’s Fields to enable the hosting of major events’ in the Ambitions for Cardiff document emphasises the intention to build upon the success of past events on the Castle Green, now relocated to Cooper’s Field - in the Castle Grounds. This ‘re-branding’ of the Cooper’s Field location as the grounds of Cardiff Castle (or the ‘greater’ castle) will also be accompanied by signage and interpretational information which matches that within the Castle to emphasise the unity of the site.

b) Access

Bute Park is relatively isolated, despite its City Centre location, due to its origins as a private estate, with few entrances making access difficult for pedestrians. To the south and east the park is bounded by the busy Castle Street and North Road and to the west by the River Taff. Views into the park are obscured by high walls and vegetation. It is a vastly underused facility and there is little to encourage the visitor to enter.

To increase use of the area, access to and through the park must be improved. In 2000, the construction of a footbridge

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across River Taff has increased foot traffic to and from the Sophia Gardens car park, but the links with the City Centre and Cathays Park need to be improved. The opening up of the North Gate into the castle will reinstate the lost link between the castle and its grounds.

The establishment of a water taxi point in Bute Park will also present an opportunity for better access to the facilities and, via the North gate, to the Castle. This will not only improve access, but also provide a new view of the castle and its grounds from the River Taff.

Consideration should also be given to introducing new features into the park which will attract visitors and generate income, whilst still being in keeping with the historic context of the park. This will also link into the Walking and Cycling Strategy for Cardiff, which aims to provide routes of heritage interest within the City Centre.

b) Traffic and circulation

As a private estate, the park was originally designed for private, low intensity use. Today, however, due to its size and location, entry to the park is required by many different groups and organisations. This leads to conflict between pedestrians, cyclists, and delivery, events, and maintenance vehicles, particularly at park entrances and across the Dock Feeder Bridge at the North Gate entrance. At present the most heavily used route is between the nursery and the North Gate which is where some of the most important park features and views are located.

Rationalisation of vehicle routes and entry points is needed including consideration of one way systems, entry time restriction and excluding unnecessary vehicles. This will form part of the management plan for the site.

The use of the walled garden as a production nursery will need to be evaluated, bearing in mind its location and the conflicts this causes between deliveries, often large container lorries, and park users.

c) Security

Security is perceived to be a problem by many visitors to the park. Some areas, particularly the woodlands, are quite isolated despite the parks location within the city centre, and there are

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‘no go’ areas within the park, associated with drug abuse and inappropriate sexual activity.

The park suffers from a lack of permanent staff base, and there are no permanent on site park staff.

Lighting and security are also major issues for students living alongside the park at Blackweir in the University Residences, and using the park on a daily basis to access the University. The potential for improving the current situation will be examined.

d) Facilities

The facility provision within the park is very poor. The toilets have been closed due to misuse, signage and interpretative materials are missing and seats and litter bins are absent for the most part, the exception being along the herbaceous border.

e) Events

Events play an increasingly important role within the park, with the quality and status of individual events on the rise due to the general setting, with Cardiff Castle as a backdrop. Bute Park, and Cathays Park are the premier venues for events outside of Cardiff Bay, but the services infrastructure in Bute Park is inadequate to serve all the events that would like to use the area.

Some upgrading of services, access and lighting has been undertaken, but further steps are needed to ensure that the balance between safeguarding the heritage quality of the park and the prestigious nature of the current events programme can be sustained. The removal of major concerts from Cardiff Castle also makes it important to be able to increase the capacity of the park to host a rising number of events throughout the year. A strategic view of events policy for both Bute Park and Cathays Park is essential if this is to be managed in a sustainable manner.

Support for development of the events infrastructure is indicated as a priority in the Cardiff Strategic Tourism Growth Area Action Plan. This may be eligible for Strategic Tourism Grant Aid funding if it is executed within the six year timetable of the fund, 2002-2008.

f) Management

The management of the park currently falls between a diverse number of professionals with different remits, including parks

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managers, maintenance operatives, nursery staff, urban and community rangers, arboriculturists and events organisers. Co- ordination between these individuals has not been good in the past, and there has also been a lack of understanding of the roles of others.

The future management and maintenance of Bute Park will be addressed within a 10 year plan to demonstrate evidence of conspicuous care to any outside funding bodies, including HLF. This will include a review of staffing needs as well as changes in horticultural and management practice and an overall marketing policy for the whole site.

3.1.4 Opportunities

These are all site specific issues which will be addressed by the upgrading of Bute Park.

a) Restoration of lost historic features

· Swiss Bridge This unique covered bridge designed by Burges was based upon a 12th century bridge in Lucerne. The bridge was removed from its original location across the moat on the western side of the castle sometime after the transfer of the grounds to Cardiff Council, and was rebuilt across the Dock Feeder Canal, south west of the Castle Mews. The structure was eventually demolished during the 1960’s following severe vandalism.

The intention to restore the bridge to its original location north of the west gate would reinstate the intended link between the interior of the castle and the castle grounds on its western side and provide a unique and photogenic feature in the southern section of the park. The management of use and access to the bridge would need to be considered carefully in conjunction with the reconstruction of the feature.

· Western moat / mill race The dry water course, which runs along the western boundary of the castle and across which stood the Swiss Bridge, was originally constructed as a mill race for the mills that stood outside the western gate of the mediaeval town. The channel was incorporated into the Victorian layout of the site as a moat and it remained water-filled until the 1970’s, when it was drained for operational reasons.

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The channel has recently been cleared of vegetation and would provide a natural foil to the castle of refilled as a moat, as well as introducing a measure of protection to the castle fabric.

· Views and Planting Much of the structure of the original Victorian layout of the park has been lost by over eager planting of the Arboretum. Much work is needed to re-interpret the original layout and re-instate the important views and vistas.

· Victorian Summerhouse The timber summerhouse structure, probably designed by Burges or his assistant , was built around 1880. It was donated to the National Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagan’s in 1988 after it had fallen into disrepair.

Reinstatement of this feature will need to be achieved by negotiation with the National Museum via either re- acquisition of the original shelter, or construction of a new shelter to the original specification.

b) Conservation and repair of existing historic features

· The Animal Wall One of Cardiff’s most enduring images, the Animal Wall was conceived by William Burges and completed by William Frame, using sculptures produced by Thomas Nicholls of Lambeth. The structure was originally located in front of the castle, but was relocated during 1923-24 following road widening to relive congestion on Duke Street. The sculptured wall is in need of specialist restoration and repair and the possibility of rebuilding the wall in its original location will need to be evaluated.

· The Dock Feeder Canal The canal, constructed in the 1830’s and opened in 1836 to feed the West Bute Dock, runs the entire length of the eastern boundary of the park. The waterway, constructed to supply water to Cardiff’s Docks, is the responsibility of Associated British Ports, who carry out occasional maintenance work. The banks are in varying ownership along its course and the timber side walls are in a poor state of repair. The silting up of the canal is resulting in overgrowth of marginal vegetation which is altering the character of the feature.

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Works to the Docks Feeder will need to be negotiated with Associated British Ports and other landowners in partnership for this aspect of the work.

· Blackfriars Friary The former Dominican Friary site is in a poor state, with many of the stones working loose. This is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and therefore the Council has a duty of care to maintain the site in a stable condition. The extent of knowledge about the site is limited to the area excavated by the Marquis of Bute; it is highly likely that further archaeological remains exist adjacent to the visible site.

Works in this area will be eligible for part finance by CADW, who will need to be involved in the future development and interpretation of this feature.

· The Walled Garden (Council Nursery) The walled garden was constructed in 1913 to serve the Bute estate. Many of the original buildings still remain, albeit in poor condition, however the layout of the area is now a production plant nursery for the Council.

The conflicting needs of the production nursery and the obvious heritage asset of an early 20th century walled garden will need to be resolved, with a review of current Council needs in respect of a production nursery. This will require investigation of alternative locations for the latter.

The future use of this area will need to be established. The restoration of the nursery buildings may make this a suitable location for a park visitor centre, with associated glasshouses and demonstration garden reflecting its original use. This use has been suggested in the Cardiff Waterways Study, a no status document, commissioned jointly by the WDA and County Council in 2000.

· Arboretum The Arboretum, established in 1947, contains many fine trees, however the significance placed upon the importance of the collection has been at the expense of the structure of the Victorian landscape, in particular the planting up of many fine views and vistas. Balance needs to be achieved between the Arboretum collection and the layout of the park in order to restore structure to the landscape. This will involve removal of a number of trees within the park.

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· Circulation systems The original circulation system within the park is still substantially intact. This needs to be upgraded in terms of quality of surface material used.

c) Assessment and action on modern additions

· Disused toilet block The disused toilet block in the Arboretum area, north of the Blackfriars remains, was closed due to inappropriate activities associated with the building. The building is of poor quality and should be demolished. The location may be suitable for redevelopment of a new toilet facility combined with a Parks Management centre, which would be easily accessed, but unobtrusive within the park. This issues needs to be considered further.

· Blackweir changing facilities The changing rooms for the sports pitches at Blackweir are functional and fairly well equipped, although the building is not particularly attractive. The structure could be enhanced in order to improve the visual appearance of the building, with some minor interior upgrading to improve the facilities.

d) Additional features

· Installation of ‘Gothick’ summerhouse The ‘Gothick’ summerhouse is a listed structure currently located in the rear garden of Rookwood Hospital. The structure is an eighteenth century stone built octagonal summerhouse which appears to have been relocated to the hospital site from its original location on the mount at Cardiff Castle at some time during Capability Brown’s remodelling of the castle green.

The summerhouse is currently in an unsuitable location. It is not publicly accessible, it is in a poor state of repair, and its location is obstructing a planned extension to the hospital. There is concern from conservation organisations that the structure will be lost if action is not taken to relocate it.

It has been suggested that the restoration of the summerhouse could be restored to its supposed original location at Cardiff Castle. If this is deemed inappropriate in the post-Capability Brown landscape of the Castle Green, an alternative location could be found for the structure within the park as an additional feature in the restored landscape. This would preserve the structure, increase the attractions to the

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park and re-establish the link between the summerhouse and its original location at Cardiff Castle. However, this proposal would need to be considered by experts in the field of landscape restoration and architectural conservation who could advise on the feasibility and appropriateness of the suggestion.

e) Environmental conservation

· Improvement and management of woodlands Bute Park contains over 12ha of woodland which will be managed to improve their environmental and amenity value as part of the upgrading of the park.

· Improvement and management of water courses The dock feeder canal, river bank and moat area will be managed in an environmentally sensitive manner in order to promote the conservation and amenity value of the site.

· General maintenance Mowing regimes and other maintenance techniques will be evaluated in terms of the whole park to enhance wildlife value.

f) Horticultural / Botanical Assessment Many of the significant plants of Bute Park have been incorporated into the Council’s Plant database, which can be viewed via the web on www.cardiff.gov.uk/parks&plants. This is being updated on a continual basis.

· Tree survey and age analysis A full survey and analysis of trees to determine the age of each specimen is essential to provide details of early estate plantings, Victorian layout and Arboretum trees.

g) Interpretation Methods of interpretation will be investigated to provide:

· Interpretation of lost ‘layers’ of history These include; Roman forts, Roman roads, location of the Town Wall, the Mediaeval road layout’ the mills and mill races, ancient bridge points and the extent and purpose of the Blackfriars.

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· Interpretation of historic events / social history These include; the burning of Cardiff by Owain Glyndwr, the burial place of the Mediaeval Bishops, the dissolution of the monasteries, the visit of Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War, coracle fishing on the Taff, the running of the Bute estate to 1947 (including the perspective of the estate workers), the Dowager Marchioness of Bute’s grave and the National . This will link the Castle interpretation to the rest of the City Centre.

Interpretation of the park will be co-ordinated with the marketing of the ‘greater castle’ area, starting with the new visitor information centre within the castle green.

h) Improvements to access The following issues will be resolved by design:

· Access into the park Access from the City Centre to the park North-south access East – west access

· Resolution of conflicts between users Service access Cycling provision Access for the disabled (intellectual and physical) Access for events

· Restoration of links with the castle Swiss Bridge North Gate West Gate

i) Infrastructure Infrastructure improvements will provide:

· Events servicing Development of an Events Management Plan in conjunction with the Events Section Improvements to management and control of events. Provision of high quality infrastructure to service events including power, lighting, toilet facilities etc. Development of formal events programme Improvements in infrastructure to prevent damage to the park during events

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· Parking and public transport Closer working with Traffic and Transportation on parking and public transport issues Improvements to directional signage

· Visitor services Improved links between visitor facilities at the castle and within the park (achieved through the management plan for the site) Closer liaison with Tourism on the strategic development of parks / horticultural tours in and around Cardiff Provision of refreshment / picnic areas Provision of toilets Improvements to visitor security Upgraded visitor information

· Park management Review of management structure and staffing needs to achieve single management of the Castle and park Provision of a central control point Assessment of the future of nursery operations Improvements to recreational / play / sports facilities Liaison with Environment Agency on flood prevention / extraction issues

j) Management and maintenance The production of a 10 year maintenance and management plan is essential for the successful implementation of restoration work to the park. This is a requirement of HLF funding, and will be completed as part of the Stage 2 bidding procedure.

3.1.5 Implementation

a) Costs (Capital / Revenue)

· Estimated capital costs

Item Description Estimated cost Research Archaeological survey, condition surveys, £ 57,000.00 historic landscape survey, tree survey

Historic Structures

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Repair historic Animal wall, Blackfriars Friary, moat, main £ 169,000.00 structures gateways, including protection of Friary site

Repair dock £ 800,000.00 feeder walls Repair Nursery Upgrade buildings, restore walls, paths £ 230,000.00 and reinstate lost and glasshouses structures Reconstruct £ 380,000.00 Swiss Bridge Reconstruct £ 60,000.00 Burges Summerhouse Relocate and £ 250,000.00 reconstruct Rookwood summerhouse

Relocate animal £ 220,000.00 wall outside castle Planting and landscape works Soft landscape Removal of trees, arboricultural work to £ 150,000.00 works trees, new tree planting, restoration of shrub planting, improvements to grass

Access Improvements to Construction of vehicular access, repair to £ 450,000.00 footways footways, upgrading to resin bound gravel surfaces, repair to stone dust surfaces

Cycleways Upgrade and designation of cycleways £ 155,000.00 including lighting Events area Upgrade events Power supply, sewerage connection, water £ 699,000.00 area connection, telephone junction box, improved pedestrian / vehicular access (including improvements to access bridge across feeder), grasscrete and reinforced surface ( grass mesh)

Visitor Services Visitor reception Including information and toilets and £ 111,000.00 building control point for events Signage and £ 55,000.00 interpretation Site furniture Seats, bins, picnic tables, cycle racks £ 99,000.00

Playground ‘Premier' site playground £ 150,000.00 Improved sports £ 30,000.00 changing provision

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Total £ 4,065,000.00

Professional Design (engineering, buildings and £ 672,000.00 fees landscape), interpretation, historic landscape advice, cost control, archaeology, CDM

Contingency sum £ 406,500.00

Total estimated cost of scheme at 2003 prices £ 5,143,500.00

Allowance for inflation in line with proposed timetable - £ 822,960.00 commencement in 2005, completion within 3 years

Total estimated cost of scheme £ 5,966,460.00

NB Elements of the total scheme may not be eligible for Heritage Lottery Funding, but will be the subject of applications for Strategic Tourism funding and any alternative funds that can be identified.

· Estimated revenue cost implications

The estimated revenue costs do not take into account potential income from the site. There will be income from events and from any franchises developed within the scheme. This income will be incorporated into the Business Plan for the project.

Costs are based at current (2003) rates. There are currently no parks maintenance staff permanently located in Bute Park.

Item Details Notes Additional cost per annum Additional 3 additional permanent staff - 1 Grade 4, £ 55,000.00 maintenance 1 Grade 3, 1 Apprentice staff Permanent Two additional staff to allow constant on £ 42,000.00 on site site presence Ranger presence Servicing of On cost for supporting £ 5,000.00 Friends new Friends Group in addition to on site Group duties Woodland This element of the £ 10,000.00 management work may produce a small income plans

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Watercourse Management of dock feeder £ 5,000.00 management embankments plans Maintenance £ 10,000.00 of playground

Arboricultural Specimen Arboretum trees only – £ 60,000.00 management covering storm damage and essential tree work to maintain the quality of tree stock. work Total estimated additional annual revenue cost required to sustain £ 187,000.00 investment

b) Structure and organisation

The proposed structure and organisation for the project is illustrated below.

OFFICERS WORKING GROUP STEERING GROUP (INTERNAL) Corporate Manager Cabinet Members · SPANR Local members · Regulatory Parks Service representative · Special Projects CONSULTANTS: · Traffic (Cycling / Coach

Parking) · Marketing & Tourism · Contract Administration / · Castle Management Cost Control (QS) · Drainage · Archaeology · Legal PROJECT TEAM · Landscape History · Valuation (CORE TEAM) · Landscape Architect (Restoration) ADVISORS: · PARKS · Geophysical · Geotechnical (?) · CADW – Liz Whittle / Medieval · SPECIAL · Planning (?) Advisor PROJECTS · Conservation Architect · Environment Agency · Botanical / Horticultural · Wales Tourist Board · EVENTS · Cardiff University (Property / CONSULTEES: Archaeology) · CASTLE · Victorian Society · Cardiff Initiatives · Council for British Archaeology · Ambulance service ( Blackweir) · Royal Commission for Ancient · WIS and Historic Monuments of · Welsh College of Music & Wales PROJECT Drama · Glamorgan & Gwent DELIVERY · Sports Clubs ( Blackweir) Archaeological Trust · SUSTRAN · National Museum of Wales · ABP · Cardiff & Vale Coalition for the Disabled · Cardiff Institute for the Blind · Royal Horticultural Society · International Dendrological Society · National Botanic Garden of Wales

c) Match funding

Funding to support the restoration of Bute Park will be sought from a number of sources, including the Heritage Lottery Fund. Not all of the works will be eligible for HLF funding.

Support for development of an events infrastructure at Cooper’s Field may be available under the Strategic Tourism Growth Area (STGA) programme.

Funding for the sports related facilities at Blackweir may have to be sought from Sportlot or an alternative sports based funding stream.

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The Heritage Lottery Fund requires a minimum of 25% match funding for bids over £1 million under the Public Parks Initiative. Bids requesting less than 75% will be considered in a more favourable light, therefore it is proposed that a funding split of 70:30 would be appropriate.

The following match funding has been identified within existing resources. This list is not exhaustive and further contributions will become available during the lifetime of this document.

Funding Source Type of Notes Amount (Division) Funding Contributions received – Cathays Division Landmark House, Developers off Also in the £67,824 Churchill Way site S106, catchment for POS Cathays Park. contribution Hyder Depot, Developers off £70,000 Blackweir Terrace site S106, POS contribution Contributions pending – Cathays Division Landmark House, Developers off Also in the £70,326 Churchill Way site S106, catchment for POS Cathays Park. contribution Elgin House / Developers off Also in the £18,449 Queen’s & Royal site S106 POS catchment for garage site contribution Cathays Park. Warehouse Developers off £107,628 premises, Blackweir site S106 POS Terrace contribution Contributions to be agreed – Cathays Division 95-97 St Mary Street Developers off Also in the £31,597 site S106 POS catchment for contribution Cathays Park. Central Hotel, St Developers off £7,302 Mary Street site S106 POS contribution Maindy Bridge Developers off £24,295 site S106, POS contribution Old Brewery, Developers off Also in the £122,904 Caroline Street and site S106, catchment for St Mary Street POS Cathays Park. contribution 6, Gwennyth Street, Developers off £15,325 site S106, POS contribution Total funding available from S106, Cathays Division £535,650

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Contributions received – Gabalfa Division Australia Road Developers off £13,500 site S106, POS contribution Total funding available from S106, Gabalfa Division £13,500

Contributions received – Riverside Division 130-132 Cathedral Developers off £5,000 Road site S106, POS contribution St David’s Hospital Developers off Also in the £99,893 site S106, catchment for POS Cathays Park. Must contribution be used by 18/01/08. Contributions to be agreed – Riverside Division Land off Fields Park Developers off £11,197 Road site S106, POS contribution 109-115, Cowbridge Developers off TBA Road East site S106, POS contribution Total funding available from S106, Riverside Division £116,090

Total funding available from S106, potentially available for £665,240 Bute Park (from Cathays, Riverside and Gabalfa Divisions)

Welsh College of Music and Drama – potential compensatory £200,000 payment for development on Bute Park Total identified match funding for Bute Park £865,240

c) Timescale

As shown in Main Document, Section 3.2.

January 2004 · Approval of Parks Partnership Programme by Council, including approval of Parks and Green Spaces Strategy Brief · Formal submission of Parks Partnership Programme document to HLF with a covering letter from Chief Executive as proof of commitment to the programme

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January - June 2004 · Preparation of Parks and Green Spaces Strategy in conjunction with other service areas and external consultation

February 2004 · Submission of Project Planning Grant for Bute Park to HLF

May – October 2004 (or earlier start, depending upon determination of HLF grant) · Preparation of First Stage HLF bid for Bute Park

June - July 2004 · Consultation on Parks and Green Spaces Strategy

July –August 2004 · Prepare final strategy document for Parks and Green Spaces Strategy

November 2004 · Approval of Parks and Green Spaces Strategy by Council · Completion of Stage 1 submission for Bute Park

November 2004 · Submit Stage 1 submission for Bute Park to HLF using Parks and Green Spaces Strategy as supporting information

November 2004 - April 2005 · HLF consider Stage 1 submission for Bute Park · Prepare 10 year maintenance and management plan for Bute Park

May 2005 onwards · Subject to successful Stage 1 submission, prepare Stage 2 submission in line with HLF comments on first submission

Late summer 2005 · Submission of Stage 2 submission (timing will depend upon information required by HLF)

Late autumn 2005 · Subject to successful Stage 2 submission, announcement of HLF funding and commencement on site timed to coincide with Cardiff’s City and Capital celebrations.

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Three year construction period – completion late 2008

d) Consultees and advisors

The following bodies and individuals will be consulted as part of the development process:

· Associated British Ports · CADW · Cardiff Initiatives · Council for British Archaeology · Countryside Council for Wales · Environment Agency · Glamorgan & Gwent Archaeological Society · Greenspace (formerly the Urban Parks Forum) · Heritage Lottery Fund · International Dendrology Society · Local Sports Clubs · National Botanic Garden of Wales · National Museum of Wales · Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales · Royal Horticultural Society · Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama · SUSTRANS · The Victorian Society · University of Wales College, Cardiff (various departments) · Wales Tourist Board · Welsh Ambulance Service · Welsh Assembly Government · Welsh Historic Gardens Trust · Welsh Institute of Sport

This list is not exhaustive, other relevant bodies and organisations will be consulted as appropriate.

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3.2 Roath Park

3.2.1 Introduction

Roath Park occupies approximately 40 hectares (100 acres) of land along the valley floor of the Roath Brook (known elsewhere as the Nant Fawr). The park is Cardiff’s most popular park with visitor numbers in the region of 2.4million per annum (Source: Capital Times Parks Questionnaire, June 2002).

The park was opened in 1894 and was designed to provide a wide range of facilities for the residents of Cardiff. Its diversity is still one of its most enduring features, providing recreational space, community facilities, play areas, boating, sporting facilities and areas of conservation and horticultural interest within a series of parks along the valley floor. A brief description of each park follows, following North- South:-

a) Llandennis Oval An unfenced area of parkland 8,411m2 in area detached from the main park area and surrounded by a residential road. The area contains mature trees and has a natural, spring-fed pond.

b) Roath Wild Gardens This unfenced triangular area of land north of the lake is 34,856m2 in area, with an informal footpath network and a significant canopy of mature trees and under storey vegetation.

c) Roath Park Lake The lake is one of the significant features of the park. It is 165,556m2 in area, unfenced, with four islands and populated by numerous wildfowl.

d) Roath Botanic Gardens The Botanic Gardens is enclosed by railings and has a substantial infra structure of footpaths and planting. The area of 59,139m2 contains the Roath Park Conservatory, a children’s playground, numerous ornamental trees and shrubs, a rose garden and herbaceous border.

e) Roath Pleasure Gardens This broadly rectangular area of 42,768m2 contains 2 bowling greens and 5 tennis courts as well as having an extensive tree canopy with shrubs and annual bedding out.

f) Roath Recreation Ground The Recreation Ground, 92,809m2 in area, is the traditional home of Welsh baseball, and was, until recently, used for international fixtures. The area also accommodates cricket,

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Roath Park Site Location

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3.2.2 Assessment of Significance

a) Historic significance

Roath Park is listed with a Grade 1 listing in the CADW / ICOMOC Register of Historic Parks and Gardens on the basis of its ambitious and extensive design. It is a fine example of a late Victorian public park – the first in Cardiff, retaining many of its original features and the setting of surrounding villa residences built to take advantage of the pleasant environs.

The Marquis of Bute donated the land for Roath Park to the City Corporation in 1887. The land on which the park was built was described as a ‘malarial bog’ before its transformation.

The park was laid out by the Borough Engineer, William Harpur, in conjunction with W. W. Pettigrew, the elder son of Andrew Pettigrew (Head Gardener for the Bute Estate at Cardiff Castle), who was employed as Head Gardener for the Corporation for this purpose. W. W. Pettigrew eventually went on to become Chief Parks Officer in Manchester later in his career.

Much of the original structure of the park remains, although it has been simplified and built structures have been replaced. The diversity of the park, however, remains. The large lake is an unusual and outstanding feature and the park also still fulfils most of its original recreational functions.

The Roath Brook, which runs the length of the park, is crossed by a number of Grade II listed late 19th century concrete footbridges of various forms.

b) Strategic importance

Roath Park is almost certainly the most visited municipal public park in South Wales. The lake and gardens lie within the Roath Park Conservation Area.

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The Draft Cardiff Unitary Development Plan (2001-2016) Policy 2.56 Historic Gardens and Parks affords appropriate protection to historic parks such as Roath Park, as required by legislation and Planning Policy Wales. This will ensure that the character, setting and historic value of the park is preserved and enhanced. Any new development proposals requiring planning consent will be developed in accordance with these principles and will be assessed in accordance with the information held on the Register.

There is considerable potential for development of Roath Park as a tourist destination. This will need to be linked into the Tourism Strategy and Transport policy issues.

The Cardiff Biodiversity Ballot indicated that public parks are the most popular place for respondents to visit to experience local wildlife. (Source, Wild About Cardiff, Cardiff’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan, March 2002). The broad range of habitats within Roath Park (lake, streams, woodland, grassland etc), and its location on a river corridor, makes it a strategically important site for wildlife.

Roath Park was awarded a Green Flag Award in 2002, recognising the diversity and distinctive qualities of the park in terms of first impressions, health and safety, effective maintenance, sustainable use of resources, conservation, community involvement, marketing and reviewed management.

The Corporate plan for 2003-2004 indicates that phase 2 of the Roath Parks Lake de-silting works will be delivered during 2003- 2004 at a capital cost of £200,000.

c) Horticultural / Botanical significance

The Botanic Garden was planted up under the direction of W. W. Pettigrew, who had arrived from Kew to take up the post of Head Gardener for Cardiff Corporation. The idea for a Botanical Garden had been put forward by the Cardiff Naturalists Society in 1887, around the time the park was presented to the town. The corporation allocated about 15 acres for the purpose of growing a representative collection of mainly herbaceous and medicinal plants, along with a Rock Garden and small collection of trees and shrubs. Pettigrew was able to obtain a number of plants from his former employers, and these were used to add to the variety of planting in the gardens. All plants were grown in groups according to their genus and species, with the sequence and order of the plants being that adopted by Bentham and Hooker in their ‘Genera Plantarum’. The nomenclature of the plants followed the Kew Hand Lists.

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In addition to the botanical beds, borders were planted with showy herbaceous material, exhibiting popular florist’s flowers and ‘floral novelties’. An area of peat in the northern part of the gardens dictated the location for a collection of American hardwood shrubs, such as Kalmia, Rhododendrons and Heaths.

The Rock Garden was developed in a rocky area of the park, which provided the source for the ballast for the new paths in the park and housed a successful grouping of Alpine Plants, grown on local stone from a quarry just outside the park boundary.

By 1905, the list of plants in the brochure for the gardens numbered some 2000 species listed, many of them very rare. Mature species of note that survive include: Sequoia giganticum ‘Pendulum’, Taxodium distichum, Pterocarya fraxinifolia, Maclura pomifera, Nothofagus betuloides, Parrotia persica, Picea breweriana and Magnolia denudata.

The botanical beds survived until the outbreak of the second World War, when the plants were dispersed to other sites and the land was used for trials of vegetables.

The Acer lawn in the park dates back to before the Second World War.

The formal rose garden contains four beds set aside since 1961 as regional trial beds for the National Rose Society, one of only two such sites in public parks in the UK. This is located on the site of the former botanical beds.

The conservatory is kept as a temperate house and is a valuable educational resource exhibiting Ficus, Palms, Bromeliads and other attractive foliage and flowering plants, including economic crops from around the world.

3.2.3 Site issues

a) Deterioration of historic features

There are a number of historic features within Roath Park that are over 100 years old and which require major investment to arrest the current level of deterioration and prevent them from being lost.

· The Lake and islands Roath Park Lake is constantly filling up with silt due to material being washed down the Nant Fawr stream from the new housing developments in north Cardiff. The build up of

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silt has lead to the infilling of the areas between the islands in the north of the lake, and the encroachment of predators such as rats and mink, as well as members of the public to gain access to these otherwise undisturbed areas. Work to remove the silt from these areas was commenced in the autumn of 2002, with 12,000 cubic metres of material removed. The work will recommence in the autumn of 2003, with the intention of pumping material from around the islands to the deepest section of the lake, thereby avoiding the need to drain the lake.

Fish traps at the southern end of the lake and below the dam are also heavily silted.

· Scott Memorial Lighthouse The Scott Memorial lighthouse requires a condition survey to ascertain what repair and restoration work is required to maintain the structure and clock workings in good condition.

· Bridges The six original concrete and steel bridges remaining in the park are all Grade II listed structures, but are corroding badly.

· Footpaths The footpaths within the park have deteriorated badly. Those in the less frequented areas such as the Wild Garden are particularly poor, but even sections of the paths in the Botanic Gardens are frequently waterlogged.

· Stream banks The banks of the Roath Brook are eroding where the current undercuts making some areas adjacent quite dangerous. This is a particular problem in the Botanic Gardens and Roath Recreation Ground.

· Planting There are over one thousand trees in Roath Park, many of which date back to the early days of the park’s laying out. These cast deep shade in places and many are in need of arboricultural attention to shape or remove them.

The areas of Botanical interest have deteriorated significantly in recent years and shrub borders have become overgrown and dense, obscuring the original views within the park.

· Railings The boundary railings are in poor condition in places, and sections needs to be replaced.

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b) Co-ordination of development and management

Roath Park has not lacked investment over recent years. It has seen many new developments such as the boat stage, café and ice cream kiosk. However much of this investment has been piecemeal with no overall co-ordination.

A management plan has been prepared for the park as a result of the Green Flag Initiative. There is a need to develop this further and this will be achieved via the preparation of a ten year management and maintenance plan for the park as part of the Heritage Lottery application.

c) Drainage

There is a significant problem with the drainage in the Botanic Gardens, below the dam. This is beginning to affect some of the mature trees and detracts from the use of this area as a focus for events.

d) Damage and vandalism

Access to the park at night is a major problem. Both the Botanic Gardens and Pleasure Gardens are locked at night, but this has not prevented fire damage to the bowling pavilion and damage to floral displays. The park is easily accessed at night through broken fence panels.

e) Facilities

There are many facilities within the park, which are mostly in good order and well used. These include the boat stage, ice cream kiosk, Community Centre, bowling greens, tennis courts and playgrounds. However there are other facilities within the parks which are in appropriate or in poor condition. These include the two toilet buildings in the Botanic Gardens, and information kiosk. There is a popular ice cream van located just outside the eastern gate of the promenade, which is an eyesore. Elements within both play areas need upgrading – particularly surfacing and step structures.

The maintenance compound to the south of the Botanic Gardens is an inappropriate use in this highly visible and accessible location.

Roath Park House has recently been vacated and future uses are under discussion. The house requires some refurbishment work to bring it to a useable standard. This was the original

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home of Cardiff’s Parks Service, and was the residence of the Chief Parks Officer until the 1970’s.

f) Events

There are numerous events taking place in Roath Park throughout the year. These are mostly of a local nature and include the annual Open Day, band concerts and charity fund raising events. The park is an important gathering point for the local community.

g) Nature conservation

The northern part of the park, which includes the lake, islands and Wild Gardens are important for many types of wildlife. The islands are overgrown with Laurel which provides a poor habitat. These should be replanted.

Roath Park Lake is important both for its resident population of wildfowl and for the migrating birds and fish it supports. The silting problem is detrimental to wildlife as it removes dissolved oxygen from the water, releasing toxins such as hydrogen and sulphide into the water.

h) Interpretation, information and education

Visitor information and interpretation are limited. The information kiosk is small and basic and can only display certain information. There are many parts of the park that are not identified or promoted to best effect.

3.2.4 Opportunities

a) Restoration of lost historic features

The following structures have been removed or lost to the park. An assessment of the structures and their historic significance will be undertaken to consider the feasibility of restoration.

· Bandstand and pavilion The bandstand was erected in 1902 / 03, and formed a popular focus for the park’s musical programme until 1910, when the nature of entertainments changed and the bandstand became a temporary dressing room for a temporary stage which was erected adjacent to the bandstand to accommodate the ‘concert party’ and choral entertainments that were popular at the time. This was eventually replaced by a proper pavilion in 1921. The

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pavilion was a larger structure providing wet weather shelter for both audience and performers.

It is unlikely that both structures would be restored – the bandstand is of a more appropriate scale to type of performance currently programmed in Roath Park.

· Aquarium The Aquarium and fish hatchery was a small brick building with a thatched roof, located in the centre of the Botanic Gardens. The interior of the structure was divided into two sections. In one half, a number of glass tanks exhibited different kinds of hardy fish. This area was open to the public.

The other half of the structure contained the public fish hatchery, where trout eggs were incubated each year, and thousands of trout were raised to re stock the lake. In practise, the number of trout raised far exceeded demand, so they were sold to customers all over the country.

The logistics of reintroducing a public aquarium and / or fish hatchery will need to be considered within the business plan for the restoration work.

· Rock garden The rock garden was located on a quarried section of the park and provided ideal growing conditions for alpines. The garden contained a small stream created by pumping water from the lake. Little remains of the structure and research is needed to discover its original layout. The plants were not arranged in their botanical groupings, but grouped to create a pleasing effect in accordance with the requirements of each plant.

· Figure head of the Terra Nova Captains Scott’s Ship, the Terra Nova, sailed for the Antarctic from Cardiff in 1910, although Scott himself joined the ship at a later stage in her journey. The lighthouse tower on the lake provides a memorial to the fateful venture; Scott reached the South Pole on 18th January 1912, but died on the return journey back to base camp. The figure head from the Terra Nova provided a feature within the park which is shown in early postcards of the site. Its location and dates of existence are not known.

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b) Conservation and repair of existing historic features

· The Lake Long term management of the silt build up will be addressed in the 10 year management and maintenance plan for the park. The current work to remove the silt will allow the restoration of the ‘artistically constructed islands’ as described by A. A. Pettigrew in his History of Cardiff Parks.

Construction of a silt trap in the Wild Gardens area, north of the lake, would help to reduce the build up of silt in the lake, but would require regular cleaning in order to remain effective.

The promenade, lake walls, clock tower base and island walls are also in need of repair. Detailed inspection of these areas will determine restoration requirements.

· Fish traps The area around the fish traps could potentially be restored and replanted with water lilies. The planting around the edges could be reduced in order to allow more light through to the open water and restore original views.

· Bridges The bridges are located at intermittent intervals along the parks and provide interest to the route ways through the area. The opportunity exists to restore these badly neglected, but important features.

· Footpaths The footpath system remains largely intact but in poor condition. Path ways should be restored with a clear resin bonded aggregate finish to simulate the effect of stone dust – the original path surface, whilst having the load properties of macadam surface.

· Roath Brook The stream banks need to be stabilised by installation of a bank retention system using local stone to match that used elsewhere in the park.

· Trees A comprehensive tree condition survey should be carried out to generate a programme of tree works to crown lift, remove dead wood and prune healthy trees and remove dead or dying trees.

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· Botanic collection The overgrown shrub borders in the Botanic Gardens should be thinned or renewed in line with the original concept of using rare and collectible species and varieties.

· Boundaries The park railings should be repaired or replaced to match original designs. All existing railings require repainting to arrest further deterioration.

c) Assessment and action on modern additions to the park

There are a number of modern and sometimes inappropriate structures within the park. All these structures should be assessed and addressed in the appropriate manner.

· Conservatory The conservatory was built by Robinsons of Windsor in 1975. The structure is kept as a temperate house with a minimum winter temperature of 10-12.8°C. The structure is an extremely popular feature of the park and contains a large pool stocked with Koi carp, tench and other fish. Whilst this is not a historic structure, its presence in the park reflects the traditional interest in botanic collection linked to so many historic park locations.

The size of the structure is appropriate to the location, however a survey of the structure would be required to indicate necessary improvements, and some internal remodelling of the entrance area would improve the function and attractiveness of the facility.

· Toilets on eastern and western sides of promenade Both these structures are inappropriate in terms of design and location. They could be replaced with a suitable single structure.

· Ice cream van on eastern side of park The ice cream van provides a popular service, but creates an eyesore in its current location. Consideration could be given to providing a new toilet facility with ice cream outlet at or near this location.

· Wishing well The artificial wishing well is of poor construction and inappropriate to the setting. The feature was installed by the local Rotary Club for fund raising and removal would need to be discussed with them.

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· Information kiosk The information kiosk is not well designed to display information or provide a welcome for visitors. This would need to be upgraded to improve its function.

· Lakeside café The café is poorly deigned for operational purposes and does not provide the high quality facility that should be expected from Cardiff’s premier park. Consideration should be given to its redesign.

d) Environment and conservation

The 10 year maintenance and management plan for the park should contain within it a conservation plan for the whole park to identify areas important to wildlife and guide future maintenance practices. The following areas also require particular attention:

· The Lake and islands Investment is required to maximise their wildlife potential

· The Wild Gardens Management to encourage conservation interest should be sustained in this area.

e) Interpretation and education

An interpretation strategy should be developed to direct the quality and type of information produced about the park. This should consider the main themes associated with the park and evaluate the best means of making the park intellectually accessible to the wide range of visitors who use it. Specific consideration should be given to:

· Educational groups Specific requirements exist for educational establishments wishing to use the park as the basis of local case study.

· Roath Park House The vacant building presents an opportunity to provide a site based information centre, and the options for this needs to be properly evaluated.

f) Improvements to access The following issues need to be resolved by design:

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· Access into the park Improved footways with lighting if required, that cater for the needs of users. Improvements should be linked to the Walking and Cycling strategies for Cardiff.

· Resolution of conflicts between users Cycling provision: – the potential for sections of cycleway being dedicated within parts of the park need to be fully evaluated. Access for the disabled (intellectual and physical) throughout the park – this may need specific surface types to indicated main and subsidiary pathways

e) Infrastructure Infrastructure improvements will provide:

· Improvement of events facilities Provision of a bandstand or similar structure to house specific events Improvements to management and control of events Improvements to infrastructure to service events including power and toilet facilities. Development of formal events programme

· Visitor services Develop closer liaison with Tourism Provision of upgraded information / visitor service point Provision of improved refreshment / picnic areas Provision of improved toilets

· Park management Review of management structure and staffing needs Improvements to recreational / play / sports facilities Improvements to management of silting in lake

f) Management and maintenance The production of a 10 year maintenance and management plan is essential for the successful implementation of restoration work to the park. This is a requirement of HLF funding, and will be completed as part of the Stage 2 bidding procedure.

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3.2.5 Implementation

a) Costs (Capital / Revenue)

· Estimated capital costs

Item Description Estimated cost Research Condition surveys, historic landscape £ 65,000.00 survey, tree survey, botanical survey, ecological survey Historic Structures Repair historic Islands, Scott memorial, bridges £ 410,000.00 structures

Restore edges Stream banks, lake edge £ 245,000.00 to watercourses

Replace park £ 260,000.00 railings Restoration of Rebuild garden and provide water £ 55,300.00 rock garden supply Installation of £ 25,000.00 Terra Nova Figurehead Replacement of Reinstall new bandstand and associated £ 200,000.00 bandstand path works Planting and landscape works Soft landscape Replanting islands, tree works, restore £ 293,000.00 works botanic shrub beds, restore general shrub borders plant up fish trap area

Access Improvements £ 450,000.00 to footways Visitor services Visitor reception Refurbish ticket office, improve £ 240,000.00 facilities cafeteria, upgrade information kiosk, new toilet facility,

New aquarium £ 126,000.00 Site furniture Signage, seats, bins, cycle racks etc, £ 67,000.00 Playground Upgrade existing play areas £ 100,000.00 Lighting on £ 53,000.00 promenade General improvements Demolish old £ 12,000.00 toilet facilities Repair May be more depending upon condition £ 60,000.00 conservatory survey New silt trap £ 10,000.00 Repairs to dam £ 15,000.00

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Pond £ 5,000.00 improvements Drainage works £ 15,000.00 Pitch £ 50,000.00 improvements Total £ 2,756,300.00

Professional Design (engineering, buildings and £ 310,800.00 fees landscape), cost control, CDM

Contingency sum £ 275,630.00

Total estimated cost of scheme at 2003 prices £ 3,342,730.00

Allowance for inflation in line with proposed £ 668,546.00 timetable - commencement in 2005, completion within 3 years Total estimated cost of scheme £ 4,011,276.00 NB Elements of the total scheme may not be eligible for Heritage Lottery Funding, but will be the subject of applications for alternative funds that can be identified.

· Estimated revenue cost implications

The estimated revenue costs do not take into account potential income from the site and are based at current (2003) rates.

Item Details Notes Additional cost per annum Silt removal One third of cost every three years (£50,000 £ 16,500.00 on three year every three years = 16,500 per annum) cycle Additional Annual running cost- including staffing, feed £ 10,000.00 running and power supplies. May be offset against income. costs of aquarium Additional Based on 2 additional full time posts, one on £ 36,000.00 permanent Grade 3, one apprentice, progressing to Grade 3 on site staff Additional Additional ranger to extend service provided £ 21,000.00 park ranger within park. requirements Servicing of On cost for supporting £ 5,000.00 Friends new Friends Group in addition to on site Group duties

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Implement This element of the £ 5,000.00 woodland work may produce a small income management plan Arboricultural Specimen trees only – covering storm £ 44,000.00 maintenance damage and essential tree work to maintain the quality of tree stock. programme

Total estimated additional annual revenue cost required to sustain £ 137,500.00 investment

b) Match Funding

The Council is committed to the restoration of Roath Park and recognises that there will needs to be a substantial sum of match funding to enable the scheme to proceed.

The Heritage Lottery Fund requires a minimum of 25% match funding for bids over £1 million under the Public Parks Initiative. Bids requesting less than 75% will be considered in a more favourable light, therefore it is proposed that a funding split of 70:30 would be appropriate.

Opportunities exist for the Council to match any finance awarded form the Heritage lottery Fund, both directly and indirectly. Specific allocations of committed funding will be made at the appropriate time, when the bid for HLF funding is progressed to Stage 1.

The following match funding has been identified within existing resources.

Funding Source Type of Notes Amount (Division) Funding Contributions – Division None received or anticipated

Contributions received – Heath Division Warehouse and Developers off May be used on the £40,000 Depot, Maes y Coed site S106, development site Road POS contribution Monico Cinema Developers off £32,515 site S106, POS contribution Contributions to be agreed – Heath Division Phoenix site, Developers off £147,000 Caerphilly Road site S106,

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POS contribution Total funding available from S106, Heath Division £219,515

Contributions received – Division Swalec / Cabletel Developers off £80,556 Offices, Colchester site S106, Avenue POS contribution Contributions to be agreed – Penylan Division The Synagogue, Developers off £43,014 Brandreth Road site S106, POS contribution Ty Gwyn Avenue, Developers off £12,604 White Lodge site S106, POS contribution Total funding available from S106, Penylan Division £136,174

Contributions received – Plasnewydd Division Land off Crwys Road Developers off Also in the £9,133 site S106, catchment for POS Cathays Park. contribution 112-126 Albany Developers off £18,517 Road site S106, POS contribution Total funding available from S106, Plasnewydd Division £27,650

Total funding available from S106, potentially available for £383,339 Roath Park (from Cyncoed, Heath, Penylan and Plasnewydd Divisions)

c) Structure and organisation

OFFICERS WORKING GROUP STEERING GROUP (INTERNAL) Corporate Manager Cabinet Members · SPANR Local members · Regulatory Parks Service representative · Traffic (Cycling) CONSULTANTS: · Marketing & Tourism

· Drainage · Legal · Contract Administration / · Valuation Cost Control (QS) · Botanical / Horticultural PROJECT TEAM (CORE TEAM)

ADVISORS: · PARKS

· CADW – Liz Whittle · TOURISM · Wales Tourist Board · Victorian Society · Cardiff & Vale Coalition for the Disabled CONSULTEES: · Cardiff Institute for the Blind · Royal Horticultural Society PROJECT · SUSTRANS · International Dendrological DELIVERY · Welsh Historic Gardens Trust Society · East Cardiff Conservation Group · National Botanic Garden of · Environment Agency Wales · Greenspace · CABESpace

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d) Timescale

May 2005 · Submission of Project Planning Grant for Roath Park to HLF

August 2005–January 2006 (or earlier start, depending upon determination of HLF grant) · Preparation of First Stage HLF bid for Roath Park

January 2006 · Submit Stage 1 submission for Roath Park to HLF using Parks and Green Spaces Strategy as supporting information

February 2006– July 2006 · HLF consider Stage 1 submission for Roath Park · Prepare 10 year maintenance and management plan for Roath Park

July 2006 onwards · Subject to successful Stage 1 submission, prepare Stage 2 submission in line with HLF comments on first submission

Autumn 2006 · Submission of Stage 2 submission (timing will depend upon information required by HLF)

Early 2007 · Subject to successful Stage 2 submission, announcement of HLF funding and commencement on site

Three year construction programme – completion Summer 2009

e) Consultees

The following bodies and individuals will be consulted as part of the development process:

· Greenspace (formerly the Urban Parks Forum) · Heritage Lottery Fund · National Botanic Garden of Wales · Royal Horticultural Society · Welsh Historic Gardens Trust · East Cardiff Conservation Group

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This list is not exhaustive, other relevant bodies and organisations will be consulted as appropriate.

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3.3 Parc Cefn Onn

3.3.1 Introduction

Parc Cefn Onn is a small, informal Edwardian woodland park on the northern edge of Cardiff. The park divides into a northern and southern half with iron railings and public right of way separating the two sections. The northern half was developed by the original owner Mr Ernest A. Prosser, the Manager of the adjacent Taff Vale Railway, and the southern half was originally owned by the Plymouth estates. Both sections came into the ownership of Cardiff Corporation in 1944, at which time the southern section was planted to match the northern. Much of the original planting of both sections was the responsibility of Mr Prosser’s head gardener, Mr Tom Jenkins, who continued to look after the park after it was purchased by the Council in 1944.

3.3.2 Assessment of Significance

a) Historic significance

Parc Cefn Onn is listed as Grade II under the CADW / ICOMOS Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in Wales.

The main feature of the park is the planting of ornamental tree and shrubs which are informal in style and intersperse throughout the woodland areas. The whole layout is rustic and simple in character. The winding paths criss-cross the stream and water channel via rustic stone bridges and the water itself is channelled in places into cascades and rills opening into ponds.

b) Strategic importance

The Cardiff Countryside Strategy underlines the importance of developing links between urban areas and the wider countryside (Joint Vision Statement 14, Access and Enjoyment). The strategy specifically mentions the public footpath links at Parc Cefn Onn, where parking facilities are provided. This location is ideally situated to give access to the Ridgeway walk and Caerphilly Mountain routes. The park’s location on a tributary stream of the Nant Fawr is also recognised in the Countryside

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Parc Cefn Onn Site Location

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Strategy as having a strategic value in linking the countryside through to the urban core of Cardiff.

The Landscape Study of Cardiff describes the Caerphilly Ridge Foothills, within which the park sits, as an important backdrop component of the wider landscape setting of the city. The woodlands at Parc Cefn Onn are indicated as particularly important both visually and ecologically.

c) Horticultural / Botanical significance

Parc Cefn Onn boasts a fine collection of trees and shrubs that date back to the early to mid twentieth century. The collection is a precious asset to the City which has suffered a severe funding shortage under the regime of Compulsory Competitive Tendering and successive budget reductions. During the 1970’s and 1980’s the Parks department would be bombarded with queries during the spring as to the best time to visit the park to see the spring flowering Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Sadly the numbers of such queries has dramatically reduced during the past decade as the park has deteriorated in quality.

The park has recently been awarded a plaque by the International Dendrology Society in recognition of the international importance of the tree collection. These awards are rare, only 14 having been awarded worldwide over the last 24 years, of which this is the only site in public ownership and the only site located in Wales. This award signifies the quality and maturity of the individual trees within the collection and it is hoped that it will assist in raising the profile of the park at a national and local level.

3.3.3 Site issues

a) Deterioration of planting

The park has a wide ranging collection of trees and shrubs, set in natural oak woodland. The earliest plantings in the Northern section of the site date from the original planting by Mr Prosser (1910 – mid 1930’s). The planting in the Southern half of the site dates from 1944, the date of acquisition from the Plymouth Estate.

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The site was managed by a staff of 8 until the 1980’s, after which successive cuts in funding reduced the on site staff to nil by 2000. This has led to deterioration in the quality of the planting, much of which is now mature and casting deep shade across the under-storey vegetation. Most of the smaller shrubs and perennials have been overtaken by perennial weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, Bramble and Nettles.

Due to the rarity of many of the species and types within the park, and the fact that a catalogue of material present does not exist, there is a pressing need to implement a programme of intensive hand clearance of perennial weed material to arrest the deterioration of the planted areas. This work is a priority if meaningful restoration of the site is to be accomplished.

b) Co-ordination of development and management

The lack of on site presence has resulted in a detached management regime which is reactive rather than proactive. Clearance work has been undertaken, but this has often lacked basic understanding of the horticultural and botanical significance of the areas being worked upon, and without the means to follow up the clearance work with an appropriate level of day to day maintenance. This needs to be addressed at a site level, improving co- ordination between different responsibilities within the park. The successful restoration of the park will depend upon good on site management and a methodical approach to the works undertaken, guided by a detailed restoration plan and ten year maintenance and management plan.

c) Drainage

The drainage system within the park has become progressively damaged by blockages and collapse of banks and culverts. These have been repaired or modified on an ad hoc basis, but there is a need to investigate the state of remaining culverts and repair or replace accordingly to ensure that water flow does not damage the remaining infrastructure of the park.

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d) Damage and vandalism

The proximity of the northern extension to the Thornhill housing area to the site has led to an increase in abuse of the park and damage to remaining features – both buildings and planting. The woodland areas are particularly vulnerable to trampling and measures need to be taken to restrict access to just the pathways, particularly in the southern section of the park.

Vandalism and anti social behaviour has also increased since the removal of permanent staff from the site. There has been a particular problem with theft of newly planted material which has reduced since the extent of local house building has eased off.

e) Facilities

The park has a small car park, toilet facilities and a picnic area. These are basic facilities which would need to be upgraded if the visitor numbers to the park were to increase significantly. The overflow car park is currently used as a timber storage area by the Park Ranger Service.

f) Access

The park’s main entrance is a dull and uninteresting feature, leading into a low key car park, with no indication of the character of the parkland that lies beyond the M4 motorway. The pedestrian access into the park, via an unattractive tunnel under the M4, is not an invitation to enter the park, and could be off putting to visitors. This whole area requires a radical review to improve the visual impact of the entrance area, upgrade the subway and create a pedestrian entrance to the park that will attract and educate visitors before they enter the site.

Once within the park, there is an unsigned network of paths, both internal to the site, and linking with the surrounding countryside. Many of the internal paths are overgrown, and have become widened by trampling off the original path line. Others are totally overgrown by perennial weed – particularly stinging nettles, which restrict access in the summer months. There is no indication of any level, surfaced routes for visitors with access difficulties. These issues will need to be addressed in the restoration works.

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g) Nature conservation

The park contains a number of locally significant species and this fact needs to be reflected in any proposals for restoration of the site. The ecological features of the site include remnant semi-improved pasture, marshland and stream sides supporting significant plan species.

h) Interpretation, information and education

There is nothing within the park to explain the layout, history, botanical collection or orientation. Guide books produced in the past would be unhelpful in the parks current state of repair, as much of the botanical specimens would be unrecognisable due to lack of maintenance.

i) Events

The park is occasionally used as a base for guided walks. The deterioration of the site in recent years has caused a big drop in visitor numbers. It is likely that the popularity and frequency of these events would increase if significant improvements were made.

3.3.4 Opportunities

a) Restoration of lost historic features

· Botanical collections The Botanical collections within the park require detailed research. Many plants have been lost due to the lack of management and maintenance within the park. Over-shading of the trees is a natural result of maturity, but implementation of a tree works programme to crown lift and remove dead and diseased branches will need to pre-cede under storey restoration work. The ingress of perennial weed is extensive and this may result in the loss of further specimens.

There is currently no definitive list of species present. Labelling and cataloguing of the current planting stock in a systematic manner in association with specialist bodies such as the Royal Horticultural Association and the International Dendrology Association is an

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essential precursor to any restoration of the planted areas.

Management of the planting will need to be reviewed if successful re-establishment of the collection is to be achieved. Establishment of an on site propagation facility would ensure that early hybrid genetic material is preserved and space should also be allocated for growing on purchased stock to ensure that newly planted specimens can acclimatise and attain a reasonable size before being placed in the park.

Horticultural practices within the park should also be re-evaluated to improve the quality of the soil by sustainable methods. In many places, the soil has degenerated to almost non existent levels due to the removal of fallen leaf matter and the failure to compensate for this by addition of other vegetative material to improve soil structure.

· Viewpoint The viewpoint from the picnic area has become totally overgrown, and the shelter has been removed. This was an open fronted structure with pitched roof, a central windbreak and seats facing to either side. Consideration will be given to restoration of the shelter and the viewpoint will be managed in order to reinstate the magnificent views of the Bristol Channel.

b) Conservation and repair of existing historic features

· Bridges All bridges should be checked for damage and repaired accordingly.

· Culverts and drainage channels The drainage system within the park requires total site investigation to ensure that culverts are operating and watercourses and ponds are sealed. Damaged and blocked culverts need to be replaced, streamside rock edgings require fixing and or replacement, dams and sluices should be overhauled and repaired as required.

Surface water draining should be monitored and channelled appropriately to prevent soil wash and removal of vegetative matter.

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· Pavilions The existing summerhouse pavilion will be restored as a covered seating area with views over the pond. Consideration will also be given to re-instatement of other pavilions within the park if deemed appropriate – namely the tool house below the pond, the café facility on the picnic field and other ancillary buildings within the park as yet to be identified.

c) Environmental conservation

The 10 year maintenance and management plan for the park should contain within it a conservation plan for the whole park to identify and conserve areas important to wildlife and guide future maintenance practices.

d) Horticultural / Botanical assessment

The structure of the park should be reassessed in the light of the botanical survey information. This will provide a means of zoning within the parks to consolidate the collection of plants for interpretation purposes.

The size and maturity of many of the tree specimens is a particular feature of the collection, however, these qualities make the individual trees difficult to appreciate for non specialists. Very often, the blooms occur at a height at which they cannot be appreciated. The possibility of installing limited ‘tree top’ walkways could be considered, subject to an on site management regime that could accommodate the ensuing health and safety issues that would arise.

e) Access and circulation

Footpath surfaces should be reconstructed to provide an accessible hierarchy of footpaths. Wheelchair access should be achieved on a level route within as much of the garden as possible. This route should be finished with a bound surface to facilitate access. Lower hierarchy paths should be finished with gravel, chippings or mown grass as appropriate.

Paths that cannot be accessed without steps should be clearly indicated.

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The entrance area should be upgraded to provide an appropriate entrance feature to the park to present a positive image to visitors using the facility.

e) Interpretation

Orientation signage should be installed to indicate important features within the park and links to adjacent destinations and features.

In order to accommodate the needs of all users, a series of way marked trails of differing length and access difficulty should be marked out and interpreted through out the park. This could be achieved by use of colour coding or symbols on timber bollards.

A means of unobtrusive, tamper proof labelling will be investigated for labelling all specimens.

f) Infrastructure

As far as possible, all planted areas should be protected by fencing to prevent incursion, particularly by children and mountain bikes etc. A manual of standard detail for protective fencing types, bollards, retention methods for leaf mould and any other items that can be constructed in house will be prepared in order to give the site a sense of coherence.

Seats and litterbins will be renewed throughout the park

Visitor facilities throughout the park will be upgraded – including the toilet facilities (providing accessible units), car parking (improving overflow parking facilities), picnic area (additional benches and possible catering outlet) and general site information.

Consideration will be given to the provision of a woodland play area in the vicinity of the picnic site.

h) Management and maintenance

The restoration of Parc Cefn Onn will be supported by the implementation of a ten year maintenance and management plan. This will incorporate changes in staffing structure, development of community links and

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aim to develop the use of well supervised voluntary labour to sustain the improvements.

3.3.5 Implementation

a) Costs (Capital / Revenue)

Item Description Estimated cost

Research Condition surveys, historic landscape £ 50,500.00 survey, drainage survey, tree survey, botanical survey, ecological survey

Historic Structures Repair historic Bridges, summerhouse, £ 19,000.00 structures

Restore Banks, ponds, culverts, dams £ 105,000.00 watercourses Reconstruct lost built Shelter, tool store £ 22,000.00 features Planting and landscape works Soft landscape Restore botanical collections, £ 375,300.00 works removal of overgrowth, Install leaf mould £ 15,000.00 retention Planting protection Railings to prevent damage in £ 110,000.00 vulnerable areas Access Resurface footways £ 275,000.00 Visitor services New toilet facilities Two locations £ 63,000.00 Picnic site kiosk £ 17,000.00 Tree top canopy walk £ 150,000.00

Interpretation Signage, labelling and information £ 15,000.00 Site furniture Seats, bins, cycle racks etc, £ 46,500.00

Car park Surfacing and reinforced grass £ 135,000.00 improvements Entrance £ 100,000.00 improvements

Total £ 1,498,300.00

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Professional fees Design (engineering, buildings and £ 180,116.00 landscape), cost control, CDM, specialist restoration

Contingency sum £ 150,000.00

Total estimated cost of scheme at 2003 prices £ 1,828,416.00

Allowance for inflation in line with proposed timetable - £ 438,900.00 commencement in 2005, completion within 3 years

Total estimated cost of scheme £ 2,267,316.00

· Estimated revenue cost implications

The estimated revenue costs do not take into account potential income from the site and are based at current (2003) rates.

Item Details Notes Additional cost per annum Implementation 3 year hand weeding programme to arrest This programme will £ 39,500.00 of hand decline prior to HLF application - carried out increase existing staff by 1 Head Gardener and 1 (Grade 3) base prior to weeding assistant gardener permanently based on commencement of programme site HLF funded programme.

On site Additional apprentice to be employed £ 17,000.00 permanent following successful HLF application staff On site Two Rangers required to provide 80% cover £ 42,000.00 permanent for the site Ranger presence Arboricultural Specimen trees only – covering storm £ 35,500.00 maintenance damage and essential tree work to maintain the quality of tree stock. programme

Total additional revenue requirement to sustain HLF funded £ 134,000.00 restoration

b) Match Funding

The Council is committed to the restoration of Parc Cefn Onn and recognises that there will needs to be a substantial sum of match funding to enable the scheme to proceed.

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The Heritage Lottery Fund requires a minimum of 25% match funding for bids over £1 million under the Public Parks Initiative. Bids requesting less than 75% will be considered in a more favourable light, therefore it is proposed that a funding split of 70:30 would be appropriate.

Opportunities exist for the Council to match any finance awarded form the Heritage lottery Fund, both directly and indirectly. Specific allocations of committed funding will be made at the appropriate time, when the bid for HLF funding is progressed to Stage 1.

The following match funding has been identified within existing resources.

Funding Source Type of Notes Amount (Division) Funding Contributions received – Lisvane Division None received or anticipated

Contributions pending – Division Land off Brookvale Developers off £25,530 Drive site S106, POS contribution Total funding available from S106, Llanishen Division £25,530

Total funding available from S106, potentially available for £25,530 Parc Cefn Onn (from Lisvane and Llanishen Divisions)

c) Structure and organisation

OFFICERS WORKING GROUP STEERING GROUP (INTERNAL) Corporate Manager Cabinet Members · SPANR Local members · Regulatory Parks Service representative · Traffic (Cycling, PROW) CONSULTANTS: · Marketing & Tourism

· Drainage · Legal · Contract Administration / · Valuation Cost Control (QS) · Specialist construction for PROJECT TEAM water features (CORE TEAM) · Botanical / Horticultural

ADVISORS: · PARKS

· CADW – Liz Whittle · SPANR · Wales Tourist Board (Countryside · Cardiff & Vale Coalition for the Team) Disabled · Cardiff Institute for the Blind CONSULTEES: · Royal Horticultural Society · International Dendrological PROJECT · SUSTRANS Society DELIVERY · Welsh Historic Gardens Trust · National Botanic Garden of · Caerphilly Mountain Project Wales · Greenspace · CABESpace

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d) Timescale

An outline proposal based on two Stage submission to HLF and two year construction period is given. However, there is an urgent need to begin developing community links and encourage labour intensive maintenance (clearance of perennial weeds) in the short term in order to prevent the park from further deterioration. Dates within this timescale are based upon this being the third priority for a funding application to HLF.

Spring 2004- Summer 2006 · Initiate basic labour intensive hand maintenance of perennial weeds within the park using in house staff and / or supervised voluntary labour in order to prevent further serious deterioration of the botanical collection.

July 2006 · Submission of Project Planning Grant for Parc Cefn Onn to HLF

October 2006 – February 2007 (or earlier start, depending upon determination of HLF grant) · Preparation of First Stage HLF bid for Parc Cefn Onn

February 2007 · Submit Stage 1 submission for Parc Cefn Onn to HLF using Parks and Green Spaces Strategy as supporting information

March 2007– September 2007 · HLF consider Stage 1 submission for Parc Cefn Onn · Prepare 10 year maintenance and management plan for Parc Cefn Onn

October 2007 onwards · Subject to successful Stage 1 submission, prepare Stage 2 submission in line with HLF comments on first submission

Winter 2007 - 2008 · Submission of Stage 2 submission (timing will depend upon information required by HLF)

Spring 2008

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· Subject to successful Stage 2 submission, announcement of HLF funding and commencement on site

Two year construction programme – completion Summer 2010

e) Consultees

The following bodies and individuals will be consulted as part of the development process:

· Caerphilly Mountain Project · Countryside Council for Wales · Greenspace (formerly the Urban Parks Forum) · Heritage Lottery Fund · International Dendrology Society · Llanishen Golf Club · National Botanic Garden of Wales · Royal Horticultural Society · Welsh Historic Gardens Trust

This list is not exhaustive, other relevant bodies and organisations will be consulted as appropriate.

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3.4 Forest Farm Country Park

3.4.1 Introduction

Forest Farm Country Park comprises 60ha (150 acres) of informal and formal Public Open Space situated within the Taff Valley Floodplain, North West of Cardiff. The area is focussed upon the former farm buildings of Forest Hall Farm, also known as Forest Isha, but now more commonly referred to as Forest Farm.

The location is becoming increasingly fringed by new developments (mostly residential), although being semi rural the park provides a valuable haven for wild life and for relaxation.

A section of the site contains the Glamorgan Canal Local Nature Reserve, there are allotments at Forest Farm and the site also incorporates playing fields, some of which are privately owned, plus the River Taff which is becoming increasingly important as a wild life and recreational resource as its quality improves.

The area is scenically attractive with attractive views from Long Wood towards Radyr and the tree covered slopes of the Taff Gorge.

Forest Farm combines elements of industrial and agricultural heritage along with nature conservation and biodiversity, which are all strands of heritage supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The site represents a fascinating interweaving of these aspects of Cardiff’s history and environment within a site that is easily accessed from the M4 motorway, situated on the cycle route and within easy access of Radyr railway station.

3.4.2 Assessment of Significance

a) Historic significance

The history of the area is linked to the industrial age of the 18th and 19th centuries when the valley served as the major connection between Cardiff, a major exporter of coal and iron, and the industrial heartland of the South Wales Coalfield in the Taff and Cynon Valleys. The Glamorgan Canal constructed between 1790 and 1798 was a vital link during this period as it conveyed most of the raw materials and finished products exported through to Cardiff at a time when the city was the world port for exporting coal from the South Wales coalfield.

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Forest Farm Site Location

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In addition there was considerable local industrial activity in the area centred on the Melingriffith Tinplate Works (since removed) and Taff’s Well Iron Works. These two companies combined to become one of the biggest enterprises in South Wales and were linked originally by a horse drawn tramway which ran along the banks of the River Taff and the Melingriffith Feeder that also provided the power source of the turbines within the Tinplate Works.

The Radyr Weir, on the River Taff, was built to provide a water source for the Melingriffith Feeder and was originally as part of a medieval grist mill.

The Melingriffith Water Wheel was a water pump constructed in 1820 to return water from the Tinplate works to the Glamorgan Canal following a dispute between the companies. The waterwheel was partially restored in the 1990’s by a local archaeological group but requires further work to bring it into working order.

The Glamorgan Canal also contains an interesting collection of canal artefacts including cast iron bridges, partially (aesthetically) restored locks and overspill sluices. One of the bridges is listed with a Grade II listing.

Forest Farm buildings are an attractive collection of former farm buildings which reflect the areas important agricultural heritage. Forest Farm was once part of the Forest Hall Estate, which also contained an adjacent farm, Park Farm. The latter has since fallen to ruin and the Hall itself was demolished in the 1940’s or thereabouts, although some of the original planting remains.

b) Strategic importance

Forest Farm lies within the River Taff Corridor, identified within the Landscape Study of Cardiff (May 1999), as a distinctive landscape unit comprising the flat alluvial floodplain of the River Taff, North West of Cardiff. The area is an important resource for formal and informal recreation.

The site was designated as a Country Park by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) in 1993. It is an important local facility with an estimated annual visitor number of approximately 200,000 (based upon on site observations). Many of these visits are from local sources from the surrounding communities of Whitchurch, Tongwnlais Radyr and Llandaff North. Although there is some seasonal variation visitor numbers remain constant throughout the year.

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The Taff Trail is routed through a section of the Park. This forms part of the national cycle network (Lon Las Cymru – Route 8) that provides a link between Cardiff and Anglesey via the Brecon Beacons. Past visitor surveys have also revealed that this is by far the busiest section of the Taff Trail throughout its length. Visitor numbers have been further boosted in recent years by the opening of a new low level section from Tongwynlais to Taff’s Well in 2001 and improvements to the track surfacing throughout Cardiff.

The Country Park is one of a series of linear Public Open Spaces between the city centre and the M4 corridor which allows continuous off road access through a series of formal and informal parks linked to the Taff River a unique feature that also provides an important wildlife corridor and also enhances air quality within the city. Forest Farm itself is identified in the Cardiff Countryside Strategy as one of a number of areas to the north of Cardiff containing a wide network of paths.

The site is an important Local Biodiversity Resource with good collections of birds, wildflowers and invertebrates being present. The Glamorgan Canal Local Nature Reserve, declared in 1968, contains ancient semi natural woodland (Long Wood) and a section of the former Glamorgan Canal. These areas are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. (SSSI 7).The nature reserve also contains a number of wetland features (natural and artificial) with bird hides and viewing areas. They also contain woodland plantations, hedgerows and flower rich meadows managed principally for their wildlife value.

3.4.3 Site issues

a) Use of buildings

Part of the farm is currently leased to the BTCV as a conservation centre and training centre and provides their Cardiff base. The lease commenced in December 1993 for a period of 15 years, but there is likely to be a request for an extension of the lease in view of the investment made in the properties by the BTCV. The remaining buildings are managed by the County Council, including a large, un-restored barn and numerous stables and outbuildings, one of which is used as a Warden’s Centre for the Country Park.

The prominence of the main farm buildings and the improvements and use of the farm house and outbuildings by the BTCV mean that any future proposals for improvement and

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restoration of the site will need to be carried out in partnership with the BTCV.

b) Traffic access

The present vehicular access to the site is poor and this has contributed to the relatively undeveloped, semi-rural character that exists in much of the site. Unfortunately, recent residential development around the perimeter of the site has increased pressure on the existing road network which will require upgrading. This may change the character of the Country Park and will therefore need to be addressed sensitively.

The main access to the site is via Forest Farm Road. This is a narrow country lane; dark, shady and congested in parts. Because the lane is narrow, traffic is forced to travel slowly, however the mixture of cyclists, delivery vehicles, pedestrians and occasional heavy transport is potentially dangerous. The approach is also very unwelcoming to visitors.

On arrival at the main buildings, there is no directional signage and the car park is also in poor condition. Off site car parking exists at Radyr Station and in Longwood Drive, elsewhere on the site, however the present links between these entry points and the central facilities are poor and should be further enhanced.

d) Access – Internal

The present internal pedestrian access is dictated to some extent by the crossing points on the River Taff and the Melingriffith Feeder. Long term, a pedestrian bridge crossing the river Taff to link with the floodplain on opposite bank would offer the possibility for expansion of the Country Park. In the short term the development of further pedestrian bridge crossing the Melingriffith Feeder would provide a better link between the main Country Park and the central facilities at Forest Farm. This will require a further footpath and include a link to the present car park.

e) Land use

Part of the site is within the Taff Valley Floodplain and although it contains an allotment site there are limitations on development of the surrounding land because of restrictions imposed by the Environment Agency. There may also be restrictions imposed to maintain the flood storage capacity of the Taff valley Floodplain although most of the farm buildings will be unaffected as these are within the flood protection zone.

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f) Security

The security of the present car park is poor and subject to occasional break-ins and incidents of fly tipping. This is being addressed in the short term by reducing the height of vegetation surrounding and within the car park to provide a more manageable hedge to improve visibility into the site. Longer term, it may be appropriate to address security through CCTV coverage.

The security of the Forest Farm buildings is a problem and there have been occasional burglaries. These have increased since the BTCV stopped providing overnight accommodation for long term volunteers. The site is unmanned at night. The presence of voluntary wardens and a constant stream of visitors during the day is a deterrent, but any major development in the park would need to address the problem of overnight security. This will need to be tackled jointly with the BTCV.

g) Facilities

The existing public facilities at Forest Farm are extremely poor with no toilets or places to shelter during periods of heavy rain fall. There are toilets (including disabled) provided in the BTCV buildings but these are only open to the public by arrangement and during special events held in conjunction with BTCV. Consideration will need to be given to providing improved visitor facilities.

h) Events

There are numerous school trips and informal organised walks around the site conducted by the Park Ranger Service. In addition the Country Park hosts an annual Woodland Craft event held in conjunction with BTCV. In the past there have also been gymkhana and pony club events but the events area is too small for large scale competitive events. In addition the lack of adequate accommodation and poor access has been a limiting factor in holding major events. In the past, a Country Craft Fayre held in the summer attracted up to 5000 visitors and was for a time very successful. This was discontinued when the event was perceived to have run its course,

Improvements to access and accommodation would enhance the potential of the site to host events.

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i) Management

The majority of the site is maintained by the County Council through its Park Ranger Service. The present Park Ranger accommodation at the Warden Centre is sub standard and it is proposed to move their office into the large barn when restored. This would allow conversion of the present premises to a teaching and demonstration centre linked to the Conservation Centre.

The Wardens are supported by an active Friends Group with over 200 family members. Improved facilities would encourage the activities of the Friends Group, allowing space for meetings and fund raising activities. It would also encourage interaction with the public and promote the park through voluntary involvement in the visitor facilities within the Country Park.

3.4.4 Opportunities

a) Restoration of lost historic features

· Forest Hall The former location of Forest Hall and its existence and history are not referred to at all in current interpretative material. Whilst it may not be appropriate to restore the Hall, on site interpretation of the architecture and social history of the site could easily be provided. This would refer to the link between the industrial archaeology of the site and the agricultural occupation.

· Park Farm Park Farm was located adjacent to Forest Farm, and the ruined outlines of the buildings are still present, although much overgrown. The opportunity exists to develop and interpret the ruined outline of the buildings as a picnic area, providing interpretative information on the history of the site and its link to Forest Farm and Forest Hall.

b) Conservation and repair of existing historic features

· The Glamorgan Canal Constructed in 1794, the Glamorganshire Canal now covers a distance of 1.5 km. It is fragmented into 3 sections, being cut by Longwood Drive and the M4 motorway. The main section runs from Forest Farm Road near the site of former Melingriffith Works to Longwood Drive. This latter section is part of the local nature reserve and is an SSSI; therefore its primary purpose is maintaining biodiversity.

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Considerable work has been undertaken in recent years to stabilise the banks of the canal. This work would be continued to ensure the long term viability of the feature.

There are two partially restored locks that could be further enhanced to bring them up to a visually acceptable standard. There is also scope for improving visitor knowledge of the importance of the canal in the development of Cardiff and the South Wales valleys.

· The Melingriffith Water Wheel This structure exists on the edge of the former tinplate works. It has been partially restored but requires further improvement to allow it to be used for demonstrations. Better interpretation of the structure is also required.

· Forest Farm Main Barn The large barn is an 18th century structure which requires restoration and improvement to provide visitor reception facilities whilst retaining its essential character. The building is not currently listed. The entrances require attractive doors (possibly glass fronted to maintain natural daylights and external views). There is the possibility of introducing a mezzanine floor for a split level cafeteria facility.

· Forest Farm general outbuildings Although the Forest Farm outbuildings are generally serviceable for agricultural purposes, they would require restoration to enable their future use as visitor and classroom facilities. There is also scope for developing some of the range of stock on the site to include rare breeds, semi exotic animals or a small breed’s centre, located around the former pig sties and stable blocks.

· Radyr Weir / Melingriffith Feeder There is further scope for developing tourist facilities around Radyr Weir linked to the Environment Agency’s fish monitoring and tagging station.

This area is also linked to vacant land at the rear of the allotments that could be developed as a winter feeding station for over wintering birds plus viewing area over looking the specially grown seed mixtures designed to attract finches and seed eating birds that have declined as a result of intensive farming. There is also scope for restoration of the locks on the feeder and better operation of the system of controlling water within the present Melingriffith feeder

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· Circulation systems The pattern of circulation within the park will need to be assessed in order to determine ancient tracks, bridleways and rights of way, agricultural circulation patterns, routes linked to the industrial archaeology of the area and modern circulation routes. These could be identified with a range of different surfacing materials.

c) Environmental conservation

· Woodland Areas The woodlands are currently subject to a Forestry Commission Woodland Grant Improvement Scheme that will run for a further 3 years. The system is likely to change in the future but the Council will continue to work in partnership with the Forestry Commission and develop the woodlands as a valuable demonstration area for use of broad leaved timber woodlands whilst encouraging biodiversity.

· Recycling of timber craft products The former tree nursery area has been developed as a timber recycling base with facilities for cutting, chipping, seasoning and storage of timber that is being used in Council facilities. It is hoped to continue to develop this to meet most of the Council’s requirements for hardwood timber for external use. The centre also produces green waste, charcoal and play bark.

d) Access and circulation

· Forest Farm Road Consideration will be given to improving the existing access into the park from Forest Farm Road by providing alternative segregated pedestrian access and widening the present road slightly. This will require removal or cutting down some roadside trees and shrubs. The provision of traffic calming measures will assist also in slowing traffic. This could be linked to changing the status of the road from to a bridleway.

· Longwood Drive access Consideration will also be given to providing a second entrance from Longwood Drive, linked to a new car park in the present events area. This will require some widening of the present footpath system and barriers to prevent short cutting through the site by commuters and heavy vehicles.

· Footbridge across the Melingriffith Feeder

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Circulation within the park will be improved by provision of a new bridge crossing the Melingriffith Feeder and better pedestrian links to the car park.

· New footbridge across the River Taff Expansion of the role of the Country Park could be achieved by the erection of a new footbridge across the River Taff to improve access to the underused water meadow land on the Radyr side of the river.

e) Signage and Interpretation

The importance of Cardiff in terms of its links to the South Wales coalfields should be emphasised within the park, with interpretative information about the transportation of coal, the production of iron and use of the canal and railways. This should also link in to other interpretation initiatives throughout the city.

Orientation signage should be installed throughout the Country Park and, in particular, at the points of entry, in order to inform users and visitors of important features and links to adjacent destinations and features, including the location of the railway station and links to the Taff Trail cycleway.

In order to accommodate the needs of all users, a series of way- marked trails of differing length and access difficulty should be marked out and interpreted through out the park. This could be achieved by use of colour coding or symbols on timber bollards.

Methods of interpretation to be investigated to provide:

· Information on 18th and 19th century historic features o The Glamorgan Canal with bridges and towpath o The Taff’s Well – Melingriffith Tramway ( horse drawn originally) o The Melingriffith feeder o The Melingriffith waterwheel and former Melingriffith works o Railways on the former north Cardiff branch line o The use of water as power source

· Information on local wildlife o Past and present biodiversity in the Glamorgan Canal LNR –(e.g. the canal contains over 13 Dragon fly Species and also fresh water sponges). o Additional winter feeding areas o New wetlands created linked to Glamorgan Canal

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· Information on current and past farming o Modern and historic farming practises o Location of farms o Exotics and rare breeds o Small farm animal centre

· Information linked specifically to the River Taff o Otters/ Salmon / Sea trout o Coarse and game angling o Coracle fishing o River ecology

g) Infrastructure

· Visitor Services In order to meet public needs in terms of covered accommodation and toilet facilities will need to be provided. It is suggested that these should be located in the large barn, and will include a small refreshment room and visitor centre. Toilet facilities will also be provided in one of the outbuildings. The site also requires sheltered picnic areas that will be located in one of the former farm building sites. The provision of this facility would increase the attractiveness of the location for hosting events as well as improving the visitor experience.

In order to make such a facility sustainable, it is probable that additional tourism related outlets would need to be provided at the farm.

The present buildings and grazing meadows are underused at present form and will be possibly developed for one or more of the following:

o Small animal centre There is considerable local interest in maintaining the farm use. A small animal centre would maintain the agricultural tradition and use the buildings for their intended purpose and provide a big centre of attraction of children in particular.

o Camping and Caravanning Improved access into the site would allow caravan access to the site. The close proximity to the M4 and Coryton interchange would make the site and attractive location for such as facility. This would complement the existing Council run facility at Pontcanna Fields which is reaching operational capacity at present. It also offers an alternative, more rural location for visitors.

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o Cycle Hire Unit A cycle hire facility offering bikes for hire on the Taff Trail could be run in conjunction with the Council’s other cycle hire facility at the Pontcanna Caravan Site and provide an additional attraction for camping visitors as well as day visitors. This should link in with the Council’s Walking / Cycling Strategies

· Security On site security will need to be upgraded if the visitor experience is to be improved. Some form of on site permanent presence would be desirable and a security link to police plus the provision of CCTV cameras. Alternatively security would have to involve deployment of on site security guards.

The installation of additional tourism facilities, particularly the provision of caravan and camping facilities, would necessitate the employment of a permanent on site warden, which would assist greatly with general security.

h) Management and maintenance

The restoration of Forest Farm Country Park will be supported by the implementation of a ten year maintenance and management plan. This will incorporate changes in staffing structure, development of community links and aim to develop the use of well supervised voluntary labour to sustain the improvements. It will also provide an overview to the existing Countryside Management Plans that are currently being implemented for aspects of the site and the development of the site as a visitor attraction.

3.4.5 Implementation

a) Costs (Capital / Revenue)

Item Description Estimated cost Research Condition surveys, historic landscape £ 34,000.00 survey, ecological survey

Historic Structures Repair of historic canal Locks, water control system, £ 205,000.00 structures waterwheel, spillway, pumping station Restore canal edges to £ 50,000.00 soft treatment

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Restoration of farm Visitor centre, teaching facilities, small £ 459,000.00 buildings for visitor animal centre centre and teaching facilities

Stabilisation of Park Stabilise walls to use a framework for £ 65,000.00 Farm ruin picnic site Access Improvements to £ 100,000.00 footways Upgraded access from £ 55,000.00 Forest Farm Road New roadway from £ 150,000.00 Longwood Drive Visitor services Construction of Washhouses, power supply, warden's £ 385,000.00 campsite accommodation, grass improvements CCTV Installation to car park £ 30,000.00 New pedestrian bridge To obtain access to parks extension on £ 750,000.00 across Taff opposite side of river Footbridge over feeder Install original bridge across feeder £ 75,000.00 Interpretation Signage, interpretation and way marking £ 45,000.00

Develop picnic site £ 30,000.00 Acquire animals Small breed centre £ 10,000.00 Develop bird wintering £ 10,000.00 sites General improvements New wardens office £ 26,000.00 Timber recycling area Upgrade facilities £ 25,000.00

Total £ 2,504,000.00

Professional fees Design (engineering, buildings and £ 299,300.00 landscape), cost control, CDM, Archaeological

Contingency sum £ 250,000.00

£ 3,053,300.00

Allowance for inflation in line with proposed timetable - £ 1,099,188.00 commencement in 2005, completion within 3 years

Total estimated cost of scheme £ 4,152,488.00

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NB Elements of the total scheme may not be eligible for Heritage Lottery Funding, but will be the subject of applications for Strategic Tourism funding and any alternative funds that can be identified.

· Estimated revenue cost implications

The estimated revenue costs take into account some of the potential income from the site and are based at current (2003) rates.

Item Details Notes Additional cost per annum Permanent £ 18,000.00 on site warden for camp site Additional on £ 18,000.00 site ranger

Additional Needs to be set against likely income Estimated Income -£100,000.00 running costs of camp site Estimated expenditure £ 50,000.00 per annum

Servicing of £ 5,000.00 friends Group

Implement Woodland management plan will Estimated income per -£ 2,000.00 annum management generate income plan

Estimated expenditure £7,000.00 per annum

Running of £ 10,000.00 animal centre

Additional Estimated income per -£ 4,000.00 running annum costs for cycle hire facility Estimated expenditure £ 2,000.00 per annum

Additional Annual increase £ 4,000.00 revenue costs

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b) Match Funding

The Council is committed to the restoration of Forest Farm Country Park and recognises that there will needs to be a substantial sum of match funding to enable the scheme to proceed.

The Heritage Lottery Fund requires a minimum of 25% match funding for bids over £1 million under the Public Parks Initiative. Bids requesting less than 75% will be considered in a more favourable light, therefore it is proposed that a funding split of 70:30 would be appropriate.

Opportunities exist for the Council to match any finance awarded form the Heritage lottery Fund, both directly and indirectly. Specific allocations of committed funding will be made at the appropriate time, when the bid for HLF funding is progressed to Stage 1.

The following match funding has been identified within existing resources.

Funding Source Type of Notes Amount (Division) Funding Contributions received – Whitchurch & Tongwynlais Division Former SGAHA Developers off Must be used by £31,543 Stores site S106, POS 09/07/06 contribution Eurocast Site, Forest Developers off Must be used by £70,326 Farm Road site S106, POS 10/10/06 contribution Former Rumney Developers off £62,303 College Annexe Site, site S106, POS North Road contribution Contributions to be agreed – Whitchurch & Tongwynlais Division Doctors Surgery, Developers off £18,815 Park Road site S106, POS contribution Total funding available from S106, potentially available for £182,987 Forest Farm (from Whitchurch & Tongwynlais Division)

NB – Two of the contributions for Forest Farm are time limited and would be out of date for use in an HLF application for the timescale indicated below. However, they could be used to match fund a tourism based application which would pre date the HLF work such as the WTB Herian initiative.

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c) Structure and organisation

OFFICERS WORKING GROUP STEERING GROUP (INTERNAL) Corporate Manager Cabinet Members · SPANR Local members · Regulatory Parks Service representative · Traffic (Cycling, PROW) CONSULTANTS: · Marketing & Tourism

· Drainage · Legal · Contract Administration / · Valuation Cost Control (QS) · Industrial Archaeology PROJECT TEAM · Specialist construction for (CORE TEAM) canal archaeology · Architectural ( barn ADVISORS: · PARKS restoration) · Tourism infrastructure · CADW – Liz Whittle · SPANR · CADW (Industrial archaeology) (Countryside · Wales Tourist Board Team) · Caravan Club · Cardiff & Vale Coalition for the CONSULTEES: Disabled · Environment Agency (fisheries PROJECT · SUSTRANS section and flood control) DELIVERY · BTCV · Countryside Council for Wales · Local Allotments Association · Cardiff Institute for the Blind · Local Riding Schools · Greenspace · Friends of Forest Farm · CABESpace · Local Sports Club

d) Timescale

July 2008 · Submission of Project Planning Grant for Forest Farm to HLF

October 2008 – April 2009 (or earlier start, depending upon determination of HLF grant) · Preparation of First Stage HLF bid for Forest Farm

May 2009 · Submit Stage 1 submission for Forest Farm to HLF using Parks and Green Spaces Strategy as supporting information

November 2009– April 2010 · HLF consider Stage 1 submission for Forest Farm · Prepare 10 year maintenance and management plan for Forest Farm

May 2010 onwards · Subject to successful Stage 1 submission, prepare Stage 2 submission in line with HLF comments on first submission

Summer 2010 · Submission of Stage 2 submission (timing will depend upon information required by HLF)

Autumn 2010

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· Subject to successful Stage 2 submission, announcement of HLF funding and commencement on site

Three year implementation period – completion winter 2013

e) Consultees

The following bodies and individuals will be consulted as part of the development process:

· British Trust for Conservation Volunteers · Countryside Council for Wales · Environment Agency · Friends of Forest Farm · Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust · Greenspace (formerly the Urban Parks Forum) · Heritage Lottery Fund · RSPB · WTB

This list is not exhaustive, other relevant bodies and organisations will be consulted as appropriate.

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3.5 Cathays Park

3.5.1 Introduction

The Civic Centre at Cathays Park is arguably one of the finest groupings of civic buildings in the UK:

‘In Cathays Park, Cardiff has the finest Civic Centre in the British Isles’. The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan, John Newman 1995.

The eventual development of the Civic Centre in the latter part of the nineteenth century was the culmination of a long running debate between Councillors to find an appropriate site for a new town hall. The controversy, which had started in 1892, was resolved in 1896, when Lord Bute sold the 59 acres at Cathays Park to the Corporation for £159,000. The resulting central site provided, in the early years, a setting for the City Hall, Law Courts, University College, County Hall, Technical College, National Registry Offices and the National Museum of Wales. These fine buildings were set within a framework of tree lined avenues and civic open spaces, ornamented with statuary and public memorials. See Location Plan overleaf.

The five main areas of open space within Cathays Park are described below:

a) Gorsedd Gardens

Gorsedd Gardens is probably one of the busiest parks in Cardiff. The two acre site is used daily by thousands of workers who track from Queen Street, the station and the car parks, to offices in Cathays Park. The park is laid out as an informal garden and is named after the Gorsedd Stones which stand within it. The stones were quarried in the nineteenth century from the cliffs of Penarth, and were used for the Eisteddfod of 1899, when performances were held in a massive wooden shed erected where City Hall now stands.

The park contains a bronze statue of David Lloyd George, and two bronzes by Sir W. Goscombe John, one of John Cory - Coal owner and Philanthropist, and the other, a standing figure of Lord Ninian Edward Crichton Stuart.

b) Friary Gardens

The Friary Garden is laid out in formal parterre as a ‘Dutch’ garden, and is planted up annually with seasonal bedding within the box edged beds. The name commemorates the location of the Greyfriars Friary, the remains of which were lost following

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Cathays Park Site Location

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construction work in Greyfriars Road on the former Pearl Assurance Tower. The garden contains a life sized bronze statue by P. Macgillvary, of John, 3rd Marquis of Bute, erected in 1928.

c) City Hall Lawn

The lawns in front of City Hall were laid out in the mid 1970’s following the construction of Boulevard de Nantes. The area is laid to grass with a fountain and pool in front of the City Hall entrance. On the eastern side of the lawns, a large equestrian statue by Sir W. Goscombe John depicts the 1st Viscount Tredegar, and was erected in 1909 on the 55th anniversary of the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava.

The lawns provide a popular informal meeting space and picnic area in the heart of Cardiff during the summer months.

d) Alexandra Gardens

Alexandra Gardens is a large, five acre garden of formal layout with the Welsh National Memorial of the First World War, designed by J. Ninian Comper, at its centre. The gardens also contain a large statue of Henry Austin, First Lord Aberdare and a standing bronze figure sculpted by H. Hampton in 1878, in addition to the Falklands War memorial and a standing stone commemorating Welshmen who fall in Spanish Civil War.

e) University Lawn

The University Lawn represents the vestigial remains of the formal public park area in Cathays Parks. The land originally contained a putting green and two tennis courts, extending over the area now occupies by the car park of the National Museum of Wales. The area is now an expanse of grass with a random scattering of trees, providing an attractive setting for the adjacent University Building, but which is little used as public open space, and gives an appearance of neglect. The location of the now disused public conveniences on the western boundary of this area adds to the appearance of neglect.

3.5.2 Assessment of Significance

a) Historic significance

Cathays Park has been designated a Grade II listing in the CADW / ICOMOS Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of

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Special Interest in Wales. The primary reason for listing is given as the survival of Alexandra Gardens, Gorsedd Gardens and the Friary Gardens as integral parts of the original Edwardian layout, each retaining its own different character and original designed layout. In particular, the war memorial at Alexandra Gardens has Grade II* listed building status.

The name, Cathays Park, was originally attached to a house constructed in the area for the First Marquis of Bute in around 1812. The house was described as being ‘a noble and beautifully designed mansion’ by Alderman John Winstone in his lecture to the Cardiff Naturalists Society in 1871. However, the structure was totally demolished soon after it was constructed, in 1824, by the second Marquis, his grandson, who obviously did not share the same taste as his grandfather. The park that was laid out to complement the house continued to be referred to as Cathays Park and was enclosed by a wall with entrances in Parks Place and North Road.

The layout of the present Cathays Park was not achieved without a great deal of effort on the part of the public minded members of the Cardiff Corporation. Initial approaches made by the Cardiff Board of Health to acquire municipal open space in Cathays Park have been outlined in Appendix 2. This idea re- emerged in 1887, and a further approach was made to Lord Bute regarding the land and was once again dropped due to a lack of response.

In 1892, when the Corporation were considering enlarging the existing Town Hall in St Mary Street, the alternative measure was to look for a location for an entirely new building. The Cathays Parks site was originally broached as an ideal site for the proposed Museum and Gallery of Art, but the idea of a Civic Centre was an attractive one, and for the first time, the response from Lord Bute was more positive. The proposal had opposition within the Council, some, of who felt that the site was too detached from the centre of the town. This led to the plan being shelved for a few years, during which time a number of other alternative sites for a Town hall were discussed. In 1896, the idea was again revived, this time with the additional weight of the University College which was also looking for a location to develop.

In 1897, agreement was finally reached and the entire area of Cathays Park, apart from one acre, was sold to the Council. The actual siting of the public buildings eventually determined the shape, size and character of the three main public gardens – Alexandra Gardens, Friary Gardens and Gorsedd Gardens, which were all developed in the years preceding and following the First World War.

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Alexandra Gardens contains a number of significant Memorials, notably the Cenotaph, unveiled in 1928, which had a plaque added in 1949 to commemorate the victims of the Second World War. Other memorials commemorate Raoul Wallenburg, a Swedish Ambassador in Hungary who saved 100,000 people by issuing them with Swedish passports; the Falklands War, a memorial set in a small memorial garden; and the men from the International Brigade who fought in the Spanish Civil War.

b) Strategic importance

Cathays Park is a primary focus for tourism, education, government and administration and major events. It provides a nationally significant setting for many important civic, educational and cultural buildings of outstanding quality.

Cathays Park is located within the Cathays Park Conservation Area, which contains numerous fine listed buildings and statuary and is arguably Wales’ prime Conservation Area.

The City Centre Strategy 2003-2006 emphasises the need to preserve and enhance the distinctive character and appearance of the area in terms of its buildings, public realm and landscape. In line with this aim, the Cardiff University: Cathays Park Campus Environmental Assessment and Improvements Proposals were prepared by Cardiff Council for the Director of Estates at Cardiff University, December 2001. This study, although primarily focussed upon University Buildings, does indicate a number of enhancement opportunities within the public realm that can be taken up within the context of a potential HLF bid for Cathays Park.

The setting of Cathays Park, and City Hall lawns in particular, provide the focus for Cardiff’s annual Winter Wonderland and Calennig (New Year) celebrations. The Winter Wonderland attracts some 150,000 visitors over a 5 week period leading up to the New Year, 50,000 using the temporary ice rink and 100,000 observers. The Calennig is attended by 30-35,000 people on New Year’s Eve and New Years Day.

c) Horticultural / Botanical significance

The layout of the whole of the Cathays Park site was dictated by the row of elms which had been planted by the Marquess of Bute in the winter of 1879-80. They eventually flanked King Edward VII Avenue. These were being replanted with Limes, mainly Tilia platyphyllos ‘Fastigiata’ from the 1960’s onwards.

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Many of the remaining elm trees succumbed to Dutch Elm disease in the early to mid 1970’s and were removed during that time.

Alexandra Gardens features many flowering cherry trees, with other rare and unusual trees and shrubs providing a backdrop to seasonal bedding. The whole garden is enclosed by a beech hedge.

3.5.3 Site issues

a) Monuments and memorials

The monuments and memorials are maintained by the Bereavement Services Division. Repairs are carried out on an ad hoc basis when required. There is no current up to date survey available on the condition of the monuments and memorials in Cathays Park, and a full survey is required in order to put together a full schedule of works required to bring these up to a satisfactory condition and maintain them for the future.

b) Access

Parking is a major issue in Cathays Park. The area has a large number of longer term parking spaces that are occupied throughout the working day. The pedestrian access points into Alexandra Gardens often unclear because cars obscure their location. Parking is also a problem adjacent to the former toilet block next to the University Lawns. Events parking is also an issue that will be addressed.

c) Events

The use of Cathays Parks for events presents a number of problems. The grass verges and parkland are vulnerable to damage, particularly by indiscriminate use of vehicles and intense pedestrian pressure. The time of year when the area is used most intensively, mid winter, is the time when the ground is least equipped to recover and complete re-seeding or turfing is implemented, often on an annual basis.

A proper strategic overview of events in this part of the city is required, to identify how the environment can best be improved to accommodate the use to which it is being put. Use of temporary surfacing, identification and protection of vulnerable areas and provision of permanent services would all improve the situation.

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3.5.4 Opportunities

a) Restoration of lost historic features

· Circle in front of City Hall The original layout of the area in front of City hall was changed in 1976 to accommodate the building of Boulevard de Nantes. The circular traffic roundabout was replaced with the current parking area in front of City Hall (never upgraded from the old road surface) and the rather dated fountain in the lawned area. This particular feature presents problems each time events take place upon the Lawns, requiring temporary boarding over to accommodate the activities.

There is considerable potential to improve this layout and provide proper parking facilities outside City Hall. It would be impractical to restore the circular lawn, but the current layout could easily be amended to reflect the simple symmetry of the original layout, with a more appropriate style of water feature, possibly without a pool, and grass reinforcement measures built in to improve the areas ability to recover following use for events.

b) Conservation and repair of existing historic features

· Tree lined avenues Although the majority of the avenue trees are outside the park, the tree lined avenues are a very distinctive feature of the landscape of Cathays Park. The grass verges in which these trees are set are becoming worn due to crossover by traffic. There is a need to liaise with the Traffic and Transportation service area to establish formal crossover points onto the green spaces and prevent vehicular access elsewhere.

· Public Toilet building The former public toilet building on the western side of the University Lawn presents an opportunity to provide a central, serviced staff base within the Cathays Park which will assist with the management of the open spaces in the area. Improvement of this building would considerably improve the visual appearance of the area. Alternative uses for the building could also be considered.

· War memorial The National War Memorial is in reasonable repair; however the central fountain needs attention. The pool base requires repair, a replacement pump is needed and the floodlighting requires renewal.

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· Monuments The Falklands War Memorial is in poor condition and requires complete replacement – the stone has de-laminated and the memorial tablet will be unreadable within a few years.

A full survey of all monuments and statuary is required. This will indicate a schedule of required works to upgrade and repair.

c) Interpretation

Interpretation and signage is required throughout Cathays Park to indicate the location of significant buildings and open spaces and relevant features within the area. This will tie into the information provided throughout the rest of the city centre.

d) Access and circulation

All paths within the paths should be upgraded with clear resin bonded aggregate to simulate the original stone-dust surfaces. The upgraded paths will be reinforced to take heavy traffic in areas where the events are likely to take place, such as City Hall lawns. Additional reinforcement will be installed in heavily trafficked grass areas, using proprietary plastic mesh products that are unobtrusive, but effective in preventing erosion and wear in grass areas.

e) Infrastructure

· New street furniture The Cathays Park environment would benefit from development of a palette for street furniture to be used throughout the parks and (possibly) the highway areas in order to emphasise the coherence of the conservation area.

· Events facilities Low level power supplies for events have been provided on the exterior of City Hall; however a mains power supply would benefit the running of events. In addition, a sewage disposal point and additional water supplies would also improve the areas capacity to host the events programme.

h) Management and maintenance

The restoration of Cathays Park will be supported by the implementation of a ten year maintenance and management plan. This will incorporate changes in staffing structure and

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proposals for improved links with the events management service and City Hall management to ensure the sustainability of the improvements that are implemented on the site.

3.5.5 Implementation

a) Costs (Capital / Revenue)

Item Description Estimated cost Research Condition surveys, historic £ 19,000.00 landscape survey, tree survey

Historic Structures Repair historic National War memorial, pool and £ 130,000.00 structures fountain, Falklands memorial Clean statuary Including removal, replacement £ 145,000.00 and re-fixing. Restore railings £ 1,000.00 Planting and landscape works Soft landscape works Restore general shrub borders , £ 122,500.00 tree works, upgrade grass Access Improvements to £ 250,000.00 footways Events Upgrade lawns for Reinforced grass £ 85,000.00 events Install new service £ 20,000.00 points Visitor Services £ 67,000.00 New signage and site Signs, seats, bins, interpretation £ 57,000.00 furniture General improvements Upgrade former toilet for £ 45,000.00 use as mess room Total £ 941,500.00

Contingency sum £ 94,150.00

Professional fees Design ( buildings and landscape), £ 94,500.00 cost control, CDM

Total estimated cost of scheme at 2003 prices £ 1,130,150.00 Allowance for inflation in line with proposed timetable - £ 406,854.00 commencement in 2005, completion within 3 years Total estimated cost of scheme £ 1,537,004.00

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· Estimated revenue cost implications

The estimated revenue costs do not take into account potential income from the site and are based at current (2003) rates.

Item Details Notes Additional cost per annum Additional Additional one permanent gardener, Grade 4 £ 19,040.00 maintenance staff Permanent £ 18,000.00 on site Ranger presence Woodland Feeder banks £ 5,000.00 management Arboricultural Annual additional cost to carry out tree works over a £ 9,000.00 management 10 year period works

Total additional revenue requirement to sustain HLF funded restoration £ 51,040.00

b) Match Funding

The Council is committed to the restoration of Cathays Park and recognises that there will need to be match funding to enable the scheme to proceed.

Opportunities exist for the Council to match any finance awarded form the Heritage lottery Fund, both directly and indirectly. Specific allocations of committed funding will be made at the appropriate time, when the bid for HLF funding is progressed.

The following match funding has been identified within existing resources.

Funding Source Type of Notes Amount (Division) Funding Contributions received – Cathays Division Landmark House, Developers off Also in the £67,824 Churchill Way site S106, catchment for Bute POS Park contribution

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Contributions pending – Cathays Division Landmark House, Developers off Also in the £70,326 Churchill Way site S106, catchment for Bute POS Park. contribution Elgin House / Developers off Also in the £18,449 Queen’s & Royal site S106 POS catchment for Bute garage site contribution Park. Warehouse Developers off Also in the £107,628 premises, Blackweir site S106 POS catchment for Bute Terrace contribution Park. Just on edge of catchment. Land at Scholars Developers off Just on edge of £194,539 Place (Former New site S106 POS catchment. College) contribution Contributions to be agreed – Cathays Division 95-97 St Mary Street Developers off Also in the £31,597 site S106 POS catchment for Bute contribution Park. Old Brewery, Developers off Also in the £122,904 Caroline Street and site S106, catchment for Bute St Mary Street POS Park. contribution Land adjoining Developers off £16,242 Fanum House, site S106, Queen Street POS contribution Total funding available from S106, Cathays Division £629,509

Contributions to be agreed – Plasnewydd Division Land off Crwys Road Developers off Also in the £9,133 site S106 POS catchment for Roath contribution Park. Total funding available from S106, Plasnewydd Division £9,133

Contributions received – Riverside Division St David’s Hospital Developers off Also in the £99,893 site S106 POS catchment for Bute contribution Park. Must be used by 18/01/08. Total funding available from S106, Riverside Division £99,893

Total funding available from S106, potentially available for £738,535 Cathays Park (from Cathays, Plasnewydd and Riverside Divisions)

NB: Elements of the match funding for Cathays Park have also been identified for other sites ( Bute Park and Roath Park). The availability of these funds will be determined by the order of execution of the programme and if they have been used elsewhere.

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c) Structure and organisation

OFFICERS WORKING GROUP STEERING GROUP (INTERNAL) Corporate Manager Cabinet Members · SPANR Local members · City Centre Strategy Parks Service representative · Regulatory CONSULTANTS: · Traffic (Cycling)

· Marketing & Tourism · Drainage · Contract Administration / · Legal Cost Control (QS) · Valuation · Botanical / Horticultural · Events Management PROJECT TEAM · Architectural · City Hall Management (CORE TEAM)

· PARKS · EVENTS ADVISORS:

· CADW – Liz Whittle · Wales Tourist Board · Victorian Society CONSULTEES: · Cardiff & Vale Coalition for the Disabled PROJECT · Cardiff Institute for the Blind DELIVERY · Welsh Historic Gardens Trust · Greenspace · Central Cardiff Conservation · CABESpace Group · University of Wales, Cardiff · Welsh Assembly Government · National Museum of Wales

d) Timescale

November 2009 · Submission of Project Planning Grant for Cathays Park to HLF

February 2010 – August 2010 (or earlier start, depending upon determination of HLF grant) · Preparation of first stage HLF bid for Cathays Park

September 2010 · Submit Stage 1 submission for Cathays Park to HLF using Parks and Green Spaces Strategy as supporting information

September 2010 – February 2011 · HLF consider submission for Cathays Park · Prepare 10 year maintenance and management plan for Cathays Park

May 2011 · Subject to successful Stage 1 submission, prepare Stage 2 submission in line with HLF comments on first submission Summer 2011 · Submission of Stage 2 submission (timing will depend upon information required by HLF)

Autumn 2011 · Subject to successful Stage 2 submission, announcement of HLF funding and commencement on site

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Two year implementation period – completion autumn 2013

e) Consultees

The following bodies and individuals will be consulted as part of the development process:

· Associated British Ports · CADW · Cardiff Initiatives · Greenspace (formerly the Urban Parks Forum) · Heritage Lottery Fund · National Museum of Wales · Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales · Royal Horticultural Society · SUSTRANS · The Victorian Society · University of Wales College, Cardiff (various departments) · Wales Tourist Board · Welsh Assembly Government · Welsh Historic Gardens Trust

This list is not exhaustive, other relevant bodies and organisations will be consulted as appropriate.

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3.6 Splott Park

3.6.1 Introduction

Splott Park was developed by Cardiff Corporation between 1902 (preparation of plans and transfer of land from the Tredegar Estate) and 1908 (when the layout was completed). The site was never officially opened, but it was in public use from 1902 onwards, when the ground was transferred to the Corporation.

At the time of its construction, the area provided much needed recreational open space for the eastern part of the city. The park is still a well used resource for the local area, but has been stripped of many of its original features in the intervening years and the quality of the site has been degraded by the effects of antisocial behaviour and lack of investment.

The current economic and social climate is such that the area is unlikely to receive any significant investment to secure its future unless it can be re-established in the minds of local people as one of the City’s significant early parks. A strong case exists for the importance of Splott Park within the history of Cardiff’s parks, as a well appointed, early twentieth century, local park in a working class and (at the time) not particularly attractive district of the city.

3.6.2 Assessment of significance

a) Historic significance

The 18 acre park was developed on land provided by Lord Tredegar, following the completion of the Great Western Railway Company’s dock branch line at Roath in 1901. The Corporation were required to compensate the former tenant farmer for loss of his tenant’s rights and provide an un-climbable boundary fence, bordering the road around the park which went from ‘bridge to bridge’. This layout still remains to the present day.

The public were admitted to the land from the date of transfer, which presented serious problems to the Corporation trying to lay the grounds out. The ground was made up, using ‘street sweepings and ash’ which had to be carefully screened to avoid any health scares among the local population. This process continued for two years from 1905 to 1907. Cricket pitches and a children’s play area were provided in 1904, cricket practise

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Splott Park Site Location

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nets and a bandstand were erected in 1905, a bowling green was provided (and opened) in 1906 and a quoits pitch and tennis courts were provided in 1907.

The history of the park is well documented and provides a fascinating insight into the speed of development of such facilities in a rapidly expanding industrial town. The social history of Splott as a working class district of Cardiff contributes to the historic significance of the park as a focus of community, social and recreational activity in the early twentieth century.

b) Strategic importance

Strategically, Splott Park provides a vital focus for recreational, social and community activity for the Splott Electoral Division of Cardiff. The Splott Division is ranked at number 85 in the all Wales top 100 electoral divisions for multiple deprivation. The area is particularly poor in terms of national (Wales) average income, child poverty and education. (Source – Deprivation in Cardiff, report prepared for Cardiff Council by Cardiff Research Centre, January 2002). In local terms, it also presents, along with Adamsdown, by the far the poorest quality housing in the county, due to the age of the housing stock.

The provision of free to access facilities at Splott Park is an important local resource that provides contact with the environment and a location for outdoor activity within this deprived and densely populated area of the city.

3.6.3 Site issues

a) Youth annoyance

Splott Park has long had a problem with youth annoyance and anti social behaviour. The park is used frequently at lunchtimes during the school term by pupils from the nearby secondary school, but despite good relations with the school it has proved difficult to moderate the behaviour of pupils using the park. This abuse of the facility also occurs after school hours and tends to dominate the use of the park, preventing other groups from using areas such as the playground.

b) Litter

The park has an open railing boundary on three sides, bounded by Muirton Road, a sub arterial route with frequent traffic. Litter

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deposited in the street and blowing across the road from the adjacent shops and industrial areas tends to end up in the park, increasing the volume of litter in the park and making the area appear unkempt and untidy, even after litter collection operations have been undertaken.

c) Access onto the Railway Line

The park is bounded on the western side by the railway embankment. This is used for access onto the track by adolescents, a which is a serious health and safety issue, but the bank also provides a vantage point from which abusive behaviour can dominate other users in the park.

d) Illegal access by Horses

The park is near to Rover Way Gipsy Caravan Site, and, in common with all open spaces in the vicinity, suffers frequent incursion by gipsy horses, which are a danger to other users of the park and a drain on resources to the Council as a result of the frequency with which they have to be rounded up.

e) Pedestrian / vehicle segregation

The main entrance to the park on Muirton Road has no barriers to prevent access by vehicles, and no pedestrian barrier to prevent children from running into the road for the park. The entrance needs remodelling to improve the safety of pedestrians and restrict vehicle access.

3.6.4 Opportunities

a) Restoration of lost historic features

· Bandstand The park had one of Cardiff’s original bandstands constructed in 1905. Unfortunately, the current level of antisocial behaviour in the park would preclude reinstatement of this feature, but consideration should be given to remodelling the central core of the park to indicate the original layout and location of this former feature.

· Drinking Fountain The family of Louis Samuel donated a MacFarlane fountain canopy to Splott Park in 1909, at the same time as their donations of the same feature to Victoria Park and Grange

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Gardens. Again, current levels of antisocial behaviour mean that it would be ill advised to replace the feature, but recognition of its existence should be acknowledged in the current layout of the park.

· Quoits pitch Records would appear to indicate that quoits pitches were only laid out in Grange Gardens and Splott Park. The rinks were constructed in 1907, but it is unclear if the game was ever really played seriously in the park. It appears to have been discontinued as a game before 1915. The playing of quoits in public parks needs to be researched further to identify if such a facility should be restored at this site.

· Children’s sand pit A sand pit was provided in Splott Park for the use of children. Unfortunately, although facilities of this type have been provided in recent years in the parks, the management and maintenance of a sand pit in this location would be impossible to sustain.

b) Conservation and repair of existing historic features

· Caretakers hut The existing Caretaker’s Hut, which also contains public toilets (closed) is in a poor state of repair and requires refurbishment. The building appears in the original proposals for the park, dated 1902. Condition surveys will be required and the structure refurbished using materials which are visually appropriate, yet will withstand the use to which they are subjected.

· Bowling green The bowling greens are still turfed with the original sea turf with which they were constructed in 1906. The turf cannot withstand the pressure of misuse to which it is subjected. It is proposed that these greens be fenced to secure the sites and maintain the quality of the playing surfaces.

· Tennis courts The public tennis courts were constructed in the park in 1907. The playing of tennis has recently been discontinued on this site and the area is currently being converted for multi use games and skateboarding.

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· Boundary fencing The boundary fencing is currently in fair condition, having been replaced in recent years. Reinstatement of the original style of ‘parks’ fencing would not conform to current health and safety standards, bur consideration could be given to upgrading the gateways into the park to restore gates of a style that reflect the original pattern.

· Planting The original layout of the park included a rose garden adjacent to the location of the current children’s play centre. This has been removed due to excessive vandalism. An alternative planted use should be explored for this area.

Annual bedding is currently provided near to the bowling greens. This would be protected by fencing the greens and would therefore be retained.

c) Assessment and action on modern additions to the park

· Splott Swimming Pool The swimming pool at Splott replaced an open air pool constructed in 1920, which had facilities for bathers and paddling. The indoor pool was developed during the 1970’s by the City Council, and is now operated by the Leisure and Lifelong Learning service. The building provides a useful, if not attractive local facility which is used by a great many local people and clubs. It would not be the intention of the Council to remove or replace the building.

· Children’s Play Centre building The children’s play centre was constructed in the mid 1990’s by the City Council, and operates as an open access play facility for children between the ages of 5 and 11. The facility is well used and provides child centred activities in an area where child poverty is a major issue. However, there are considerable operational problems due to anti social behaviour linked to users and past users of the centre, which impinges upon the surrounding park. The management of these problems needs to be addressed between the service providers. It would not be the intention of the Council to remove or replace the building.

· Park Keeper’s House The park keeper’s house was constructed during the 1970’s at around the same time as the swimming pool. Again, the

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building is not attractive, but its location presents operational benefits. The house is occupied by a member of the Park Rangers staff, and houses a monitor and video linked to the CCTV cameras provided in association with the swimming pool. This allows antisocial behaviour to be monitored and recorded for prosecution purposes. It would not be the intention of the Council to remove or replace the building.

· Bowling Pavilion The existing bowling pavilion was constructed during the 1990’s, around the same time as the Play Centre building. It is a serviceable building which provides facilities for bowlers as well as much needed community facility rooms for local playgroups and other organisations.

· Shelter The park shelter is a plain utilitarian structure, erected around the 1940’s. The structure is the source of many problems and would be removed as part of the upgrading of the park.

d) Environmental conservation

The park currently provides little in the way of conservation value. However, the railway embankment is densely planted with trees and under-storey vegetation. The biodiversity of the park could be significantly improved by reducing the mowing regimes along this boundary and allowing a woodland edge area to develop along the western boundary.

e) Interpretation

Many of the features of the original park cannot practically be replaced due to the behaviour patterns that occur in the area. Interpretation of the park’s heritage and value will be developed to encourage local interest in the valuable local heritage that Splott Park represents.

f) Access and circulation

The footpath layout within the site has not changed markedly since the original layout of the park. The existing paths perimeter paths have been resurfaced during the spring of 2003 as a healthy walking initiative, in association with the Welsh Assembly Government. The paths in the central area require resurfacing, with clear resin bonded aggregate to simulate the original stone-dust surfaces.

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g) Infrastructure

· Site furniture Site furniture within the park would all be replaced with heritage style seating, using the castings already created from original Edwardian park seats. New litter bins and signage to match would also be installed.

· Lighting The existing lighting in the park would be upgraded to improve the security of the site.

· Interpretation Signage and interpretation should be installed to inform and interpret the history of Splott Park as a resource for local people.

· CCTV Existing CCTV coverage should be extended to the children’s playground to deter anti social behaviour on the site.

h) Management and maintenance

The restoration of Splott Park will be supported by the implementation of a ten year maintenance and management plan. This will incorporate changes in staffing structure and proposals for improved links with local community to ensure the sustainability of the site.

3.6.5 Implementation

a) Costs (Capital / Revenue)

Item Description Estimated cost

Research Tree vegetation survey, historic £ 6,500.00 landscape survey Restore historic structures Repair historic £ 50,000.00 buildings Restore railings £ 100,000.00 Planting and landscape works

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Soft landscape works Restore shrub planting £ 30,000.00

Access Restore footways £ 105,000.00

Restore entrance £ 40,000.00

Visitor services Install lighting £ 10,000.00 Upgrade CCTV £ 5,000.00 New signage and £ 13,000.00 interpretation

Site furniture Seats, bins, cycle racks etc, £ 36,000.00 General improvements Demolish shelter £ 7,000.00

Fence bowling £ 87,500.00 greens

Total £ 490,000.00

Professional fees Design, cost control, CDM £ 43,300.00

Contingency sum £ 49,000.00

Total estimated cost of scheme at 2003 prices £ 582,300.00

Allowance for inflation in line with proposed timetable - £ 233,104.00 commencement in 2005, completion within 3 years

Total estimated cost of scheme £ 815,404.00

· Estimated revenue cost implications

The estimated revenue costs are based at current (2003) rates.

Item Details Notes Additional cost per annum Additional One extra Gardener, Grade 4 p/annum £ 19,000.00 maintenance staff

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Permanent on site One member of staff covering 0.5% p/annum £ 18,000.00 Ranger presence attendance Servicing of p/annum £ 3,000.00 Friends Group

Total additional revenue requirement to sustain HLF £ 40,000.00 funded restoration

b) Match Funding

The Council is committed to the restoration of Splott Park and recognises that there will need to be a match funding established to enable the scheme to proceed.

Opportunities exist for the Council to match any finance awarded from the Heritage lottery Fund, both directly and indirectly. Specific allocations of committed funding will be made at the appropriate time, when the bid for HLF funding is progressed.

The following match funding has been identified within existing resources.

Funding Source Type of Notes Amount (Division) Funding Contributions – Splott Division None received or anticipated within catchment Contributions received– Adamsdown Division 130 Newport Road Developers off Just out of £9,827 site S106, POS catchment – must contribution be used by 12?09/07 Contributions to be agreed – Adamsdown Division 132 Newport Road Developers off Just out of £10,302 site S106, POS catchment contribution 94-100 Broadway Developers off £10,649 site S106, POS contribution 118, Newport Road Developers off Just out of £12,220 site S106, POS catchment contribution Total funding available from S106, Adamsdown Division £42,998

Total funding available from S106, potentially available for £42,998 Splott Park (from Splott and Adamsdown Divisions)

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c) Structure and organisation

OFFICERS WORKING GROUP STEERING GROUP (INTERNAL) Corporate Manager Cabinet Members · SPANR Local members · Regulatory Parks Service representative · Traffic (Cycling) CONSULTANTS: · Marketing & Tourism

· Leisure & Lifelong Learning · Legal · Contract Administration / · Valuation Cost Control (QS) · Property Services · Architectural · Community Safety PROJECT TEAM (CORE TEAM)

ADVISORS: · PARKS

· CADW – Liz Whittle · LEISURE & · Victorian Society LIFELONG · Cardiff & Vale Coalition for the LEARNING Disabled · Cardiff Institute for the Blind CONSULTEES: · Greenspace · CABESpace PROJECT · Welsh Historic Gardens Trust DELIVERY · Network Rail · Sporting users · Community Police · Local Citizens Forum

d) Timescale

September 2010 · Submission of Project Planning Grant for Splott Park to HLF

January July 2011 (or earlier start, depending upon determination of HLF grant) · Preparation of full HLF bid for Splott Park including preparation of 10 year maintenance and management plan

August 2011 · Submit full submission for Splott Park to HLF using Parks and Green Spaces Strategy as supporting information

September 2011 – February 2012 · HLF consider submission for Splott Park

Spring 2012 · Subject to successful submission, announcement of HLF funding and commencement on site

Two year implementation period – completion Spring 2014

e) Consultees

The following bodies and individuals will be consulted as part of the development process:

· Baden Powell Primary School, Muirton Road

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· Children’s Play Centre, Splott · East Moors Community Centre · Football Clubs · Gipsy Liaison Officer, CCC · Greenspace (formerly the Urban Parks Forum) · Heritage Lottery Fund · Railtrack · Splott Pool · SUSTRANS · Welsh Historic Gardens Trust · Willows High School

This list is not exhaustive, other relevant bodies and organisations will be consulted as appropriate.

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Completion of Parks Partnership Document – January 2004 Submission of approved document to HLF as proof of Cabinet / Council approval – Authority January 2004 commitment to Parks Improvements – February 2004- 01-05 Preparation and Set up project team and appoint submission of external consultant to assist with Project Planning Parks and Green Spaces Strategy preparation Grant application for Bute Park to HLF

Preparation of Parks and Green Determination of grant Spaces Strategy – Draft strategy by HLF – 3 months completion for consultation – Summer 2004

External consultation May / June 2004

Subject to approval of Planning Grant: Complete Parks and Green Preparation of Stage 1 HLF Spaces Strategy submission for Bute Park – May – October 2004

Cabinet / Council approval – Autumn 2004

Submission of Stage 1 Application for Bute Park - November 2004

Determination of grant by HLF – 6 months

Preparation of information required for Stage 2 submission Subject to HLF approval of Stage 1:

Preparation of Stage 2 application for Bute Park for submission Spring 2005 (incorporating HLF recommendations following Stage 1 approval)

Determination of grant by HLF

Subject to HLF approval of Stage 2:

Announcement of grant offer – late 2005 to coincide with Cardiff’s Capital City celebrations

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Appendix 5: Financial profile for Parks Partnership Programme

Diagram assumes programme start date of October 2003. Delay in start date will set dates back accordingly.

Site 2003- 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012- 2013-14 2014-15 04 13

Bute Park Project planning Lead in £50k HLF £? HLF Stage 1 Capital Await approval Stage 1 Capital works - £5,966,260 over three years Revenue £90,000 support Additional funding needed to support application Post implementation additional maintenance £187,500pa

Roath Park Project planning Lead in £50k HLF £? HLF Stage 1 Capital Await approval Stage 1 Capital works - £4,011276.00 over three years Revenue Additional funding needed to support application Post implementation additional maintenance £137,500pa

Parc Cefn Onn Project planning Lead in £50k HLF £? HLF Stage 1 Capital Await approval Stage 1 Capital works - £2,267,316 over two years Revenue £39500 - hand weeding programme per annum to arrest decline Post implementation additional maintenance - £134,000pa

Forest Farm Project planning Lead in £50k HLF £? HLF Stage 1 Capital Await approval Stage 1 Capital works - £5,966,260 over three years Revenue Post imp. add. maint. £4,000pa

Cathays Park Project planning Lead in £50k HLF £? HLF Stage 1 Capital Await approval Stage 1 Capital works - £1,537,004 over two years Revenue Post imp. add. maint. £51,040pa

Splott Park Project planning Lead in £50k HLF Await Capital works - £1,537,004 over two years Capital approval Stage 1 Revenue Post imp add. maint. £40,000pa

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Parks Partnership Programme Appendix 6: Sources and References

Appendix 6: Sources and References

Main Document

· Ambitions for Cardiff, Cabinet Policy Statement, 2002-2003 · Assessing Needs and Opportunities: a Companion Guide to PPG 17, Kit Campbell Associates for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, September 2002 · Better Communities – Brighter Lives, Cardiff Council, Second Draft, March 2002 · Cardiff Countryside Strategy, Cardiff Council, January 1998 · Cardiff Strategic Growth Area Action Plan, Final Report, L & R Consulting for Cardiff Council, January 2003 · Cardiff Unitary Development plan (2001-2016), Cardiff Council Draft · Corporate Plan for Cardiff, 2003-2004 · Economic Impact Analysis: A Look at Useful Methods, Vogelsong, Hans and Graefe, Alan R., Parks and Recreation, March 2003, p. 28-36 · Green Flag Stakeholder Meeting Notes, Cardiff, 13 March 2003 · Green Spaces, Better Places, Final Report of the Urban Green Spaces Taskforce, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, 2002 · Park Life: Urban Parks and Social Renewal, Comedia, in association with Demos (published 1995) · Public Parks Initiative, Heritage Lottery Fund, January 2003 · Survey of Parks Use, Cardiff Council June 2002 · Sustaining our Living Heritage – Skills and training for the heritage sector, Heritage Lottery Fund, 2000 · The Impact of Parks on Property Values, Compton, John L., Parks and Recreation, May 2003, p.91-95 · The Strategic Enabling Scheme, CABE space for Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2003 · Valuing Greenness: Green Spaces, House Prices and Londoner’s Priorities, Frith, Matthew Spaces & Places Issue 005, published by Greenspace, October 2003 · Wasted Space?, CABE space, September 2003

Appendix 1 · The Strategic Enabling Scheme, CABE space for Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2003

Appendix 2 · The Public Parks and Recreation Grounds of Cardiff, Volumes 1-6, Pettigrew, A. A. 1926, revised in 1933-34. Unpublished manuscript

Appendix 3 3.1 – Bute Park

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Parks Partnership Programme Appendix 6: Sources and References

· A Gothick Summerhouse in Llandaff’, Williams, Matthew, Llandaff Society Occasional Paper No. 4 · CADW / ICOMOS Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, listing for Bute Park · Cardiff Castle: Conservation and Management Plan, January 2000 · Cardiff City Centre Strategy -Action Plan for the Cathays Park / Bute Park area · Cardiff City Centre Strategy 2003-2006, Final Draft · Cardiff Council Corporate Plan, June 2003 · Cardiff Strategic Growth Area Action Plan, Final Report, L & R Consulting for Cardiff Council, January 2003 · Conserving Cardiff Castle – the 15 Year Plan, Support Document to Consent Applications, March 2002. Cardiff Council · Draft Cardiff Unitary Development Plan (2001-2016) · The Public Parks and Recreation Grounds of Cardiff, Volumes 1-6, Pettigrew, A. A. 1926, revised in 1933-34. Unpublished manuscript · Wild About Cardiff, Cardiff’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan, March 2002

3.2 - Roath Park · CADW / ICOMOS Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in Wales, Roath Park entry. · Cardiff Council Corporate Plan, June 2003 · Capital Times Parks Questionnaire, June 2002 · City and County of Cardiff Conservation Area Strategy, (September 1997) · Roath Park Green Flag Award Management Plan 2003 – 2006 · Roath Park Green Flag Award, 2003 – Key Criteria · The Public Parks and Recreation Grounds of Cardiff, Volumes 1-6, Pettigrew, A. A. 1926, revised in 1933-34. Unpublished manuscript · Wild About Cardiff, Cardiff’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan, March 2002

3.3 – Cefn Onn Park · ‘As I was saying….’, Holliday, Jon, South Wales Echo, 3 July 1968 · CADW / ICOMOS Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in Wales, Cefn Onn entry. · Cardiff Council Corporate Plan, June 2003 · Cardiff Countryside Strategy, January 1998 · Landscape Study of Cardiff Final Report, Atlantic Consultants for Cardiff Council, Countryside Council for Wales and Welsh Development Agency, May 1999 · Prosser, the Parc, Morgan, Lyn, South Wales Spectator, September 1976 · Wild About Cardiff, Cardiff’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan, March 2002

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Parks Partnership Programme Appendix 6: Sources and References

3.4 – Forest Farm · Cardiff Council Corporate Plan, June 2003 · Cardiff Countryside Strategy, January 1998 · Forest Farm Cardiff, Feasibility Study, Community Design for Gwent for British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, March 1996 · Forest Farm Country Park Feasibility Study, Chris Blandford Associates for Cardiff City Council and Countryside Council for Wales by, January 1992 · Landscape Study of Cardiff Final Report, Atlantic Consultants for Cardiff Council, Countryside Council for Wales and Welsh Development Agency, May 1999 · Wild About Cardiff, Cardiff’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan, March 2002

3.5 – Cathays Park · CADW / ICOMOS Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, listing for Cathays Park · Cardiff City Centre Strategy -Action Plan for the Cathays Park / Bute Park area · Cardiff Council Corporate Plan, June 2003 · Cardiff Strategic Growth Area Action Plan, Final Report, L & R Consulting for Cardiff Council, January 2003 · Cardiff University Cathays Park Campus: Environmental Assessment and Improvement Proposals, Cardiff Council for Cardiff University, December 200 · Draft Cardiff Unitary Development Plan (2001-2016) · The Public Parks and Recreation Grounds of Cardiff, Volumes 1-6, Pettigrew, A. A. 1926, revised in 1933-34. Unpublished manuscript · Wild About Cardiff, Cardiff’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan, March 2002

3.6 – Splott Park · Cardiff Council Corporate Plan, June 2003 · The Public Parks and Recreation Grounds of Cardiff, Volumes 1-6, Pettigrew, A. A. 1926, revised in 1933-34. Unpublished manuscript · Draft Cardiff Unitary Development Plan (2001-2016) · Deprivation in Cardiff, Cardiff Research Centre for Cardiff Council, January 2002 · Wild About Cardiff, Cardiff’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan, March 2002

Acknowledgements

This report has been prepared with assistance from the following organisations and individuals:

Dr Heather Conway (advice on publication of Pettigrew document) Dr Terry Stevens, Terry Stevens Associates Parks Partnership Programme CIT0208 Cardiff County Council Page 130 Document Version 1.4 14 January 2004/RMJ

Parks Partnership Programme Appendix 6: Sources and References

Heritage Lottery Fund, Cardiff Regional Office Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management Information Service John Edwards and the Cardiff Castle Project Team Anthony Dawkin, Parry & Dawkin Quantity Surveyors (Costings)

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