Brompton Cemetery Conservation Project Introduction & Site History

Site History Introduction is a significant member of one of ’s most The Royal Parks is submitting an application for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big remarkable of Victorian legacies, a ring of private cemeteries created around Lottery Fund (BIG) for the Brompton Cemetery Conservation Project. central London known as ‘The Magnificent Seven’, developed in response to cope with the cholera epidemic of the 1830s and 1840s and dire burial This funding will enable The Royal Parks to develop the project with local people and, if successful, go on to implement practices in overcrowded churchyards and chapel vaults. improvement plans for Brompton Cemetery to ensure the heritage and wildlife are conserved for future generations. In 1837 by Act of Parliament, The West London and Westminster Cemetery Company was authorised to develop a site to the west of London. They Improvements to Brompton Cemetery appointed architect, Benjamin Baud who brilliantly handled the flat, unassuming 16 hectares site to create one of the finest cemetery designs of the early Victorian period. Round One of the HLF application proposes: Today the Cemetery is owned by the Government and is managed by The Royal Parks, and forms a much used green oasis in a densely populated area Heritage improvements: of inner London characterised by a notable absence of public open space. • Assess the existing heritage assets • Consider their significance Brompton Cemetery’s historical significance is recognised by being Grade I • Identify assets at risk and devise a plan for conserving them ‘Bird’s Eye View’ of Brompton Cemetery listed on the English Heritage Parks and Gardens of Special Interest in A lithograph by Hawkins commissioned by Baud in 1840 England, the historic monuments and sculptures range from Grade I* - II, with several listed tombs. The site is also of importance for its ecological interest Access improvements: and is listed as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) of Borough • Ensure that the Cemetery and facilities are accessible by all Importance (Grade I). • Make sure the heritage and wildlife features can be enjoyed by everyone • Find ways of engaging new visitors

Visitor facilities: • Improve existing facilities for visitors • Look at additional facilities that help the Cemetery become more accessible and sustainable such as a cafe, visitor centre within the North Lodge, and flexible community space in the Chapel • Introduce facilities that support the local community

Environmental and ecological improvements: • Assess the existing wildlife on site • Identify key species of special interest or indicator species • Propose management changes or projects to enhance the wildlife on site

Community activities: • Work with the Friends of Brompton Cemetery, local community groups and This plan is the earliest drawing yet found of Baud’s design for Brompton Cemetery. It was used as illustrative material This view illustrates a scattered arrangement of trees and partners to develop an exciting range of activities and resources aimed at by The West London and Westminster Cemetery Company in its table of charges (sometime between 1840 & 1853) shrubs, very different to the illustration above existing and new visitors • Develop a range of educational and volunteer activities on offer such as wild life identification sessions and guided tours

Funerary activities: • Improve the services that we provide • Restore key monuments and memorials • Developing a sustainable financial future for the cemetery We would like to hear your views Please complete our online survey at

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/projects/brompton-cemetery-conservation-project

or complete a paper version here today. View of the southern entrance from Fulham Road after the construction Extract from The West London and Westminster Cemetery table of charges (undated). Note the of the South Lodge absence of trees, shrubs and memorials at this early stage in the Cemetery’s history Brompton Cemetery Conservation Project Restoration Strategy

Finborough Road 10 SOUTH Honey Lane 11 LODGE

6 9 Warwick Road 3 6 24 23

Fulham Road

6 22 22

Old NORTH * * CATACOMBS 8 7 LODGE 5 GREAT 12 CHAPEL CENTRALL 10 15 ENTRANCE 4 5 CIRCLE 2 PLAZA 1 AVENUE CATACOMBS 7 5

22 22 WAR GRAVES 18 14 * * LEAFEA 15 16 5 13 19 YARD 15 24 24 21 20 14 17 13 19 CATACOMBS CATACOMBS MAINTENANCE YARD UNDERGROUND STATION

CHELSEA F.C. Lillie Road

Secondary Paths Key Historic Vista Focus for historical Buildings & Mausolea * planting restoration Buildings Heritage 1. Convert North Lodge into visitor centre, shop, cafe and base for The Friends, 7. Maintain close mown grass within meadow grassland to highlight important monuments volunteer and maintenance staff facilities, with outdoor seating area and remodelled landscape at entrance 8. Restore Chapel and landscape setting to increase opportunities for community use, including new 11. Refurbish South Lodge as residential accomodation for Cemetery manager, and enhance landscape ramped access setting including entrance railings, gates, paths and planting 17. Conserve most significant aspects of Western catacombs and boundary wall 12. Add disabled ramped access into Chapel and redesign to accommodate office and flexible 22. Restore a section of tree and shrub layout based on Baud’s original proposal community facilities 23. Selectively remove some mature trees to re-establish historic vista lines across the site 16. Re-design leaf yard Community & Audiences Landscape 15. Interpretation of Catacombs, promenade and entrance notice boards 2. Improve setting to North Lodge by restoring entrance railings and gates, path surfacing and planting 19. Proposed burial space 3. Retain close mown area for family recreation and include additional seating opportunities 20. Refurbish existing landscape maintenance facilities to provide separate storage for maintenance 4. Raise canopy of lime avenue to reveal views of Chapel and volunteer teams 5. Maintain mown grass border to edge of paths 24. Introduce additional seating to secondary avenue paths 9. Retain existing open space close to entrance 10. Introduce evergreen tree planting in staggered pattern along ceremonial axis 13. Additional/replacement tree planting to reduce visual impact of Chelsea F.C. football stadium 14. Resurface existing paths to link with available burial areas 18. Maintain close mown grass and replacement/additional shrub planting in vicinity of frequently visited graves 21. Re-design Garden of Remembrance

Wildlife 6. Maintain “controlled” areas of nature conservation within historic path framework and in vicinity of less frequented graves Brompton Cemetery Conservation Project North Lodge Proposals

Existing Layout (NTS) Sketch Elevation of Visitor Centre and Cafe Proposals aim to convert the North Lodge into a visitor centre, shop and cafe, whilst also providing a base for The Friends of Brompton Cemetery and volunteer and maintenance facilities. The entrance will be remodelled, with entrance gates and railings restored, and paths and planting upgraded.

Landscape Enhancement Proposals New outdoor Restore entrance North Lodge converted to create visitor seating areas railings and gates centre, cafe, shop and base for The Friends Maintain relaxed Re-designed vehicle turning circle mowing regime

Proposed Layout (NTS) Visitor Centre and Cafe

Restore key significant graves and monuments within context Entrance setting re-levelled and New lawn for New ornamental surfaced in resin-bound gravel cafe spill-out space plant beds Brompton Cemetery Conservation Project The Chapel Refurbishment

Existing Layout (NTS) Landscape Enhancement Proposals Proposals aim to restore The Chapel and re-design to accommodate office and flexible community facilities, including new ramped access, and enhance landscape setting.

Introduce new ramped access points to Introduce evergreen tree planting in increase accessibility a staggered pattern along ceremonial axis

Proposed Layout (NTS)

Re-present landscape setting of Chapel by Selectively remove existing trees to upgrading planting scheme restore historic vista lines Restore significant graves and monuments within setting Brompton Cemetery Conservation Project South Lodge Proposals

Existing Layout (NTS) Landscape Enhancement Proposals Proposals aim to refurbish the South Lodge as residential accommodation for Cemetery Manager and enhance landscape setting including entrance railings and gates, paths and planting.

Remove inappropriate conifer tree Re-position ‘welcome’ signage and upgrade seating bay and litter bin Maintain close mown grass Re-surface entrance setting with Relaxed mowing resin-bonded gravel, and granite sett trims regime

Proposed Layout (NTS) Residential accomodation for Cemetery Manager

Create private garden and car park bay Extend existing hedge-line South Lodge converted to provide to provide privacy screen residential accommodation for Cemetery Manager Re-lay granite sett apron