Gunnersbury 2026 Masterplan
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GUNNERSBURY PARK REGENERATION PROJECT GUNNERSBURY 2026 MASTERPLAN Contents 1. 0 Introduction 1.1 Background to the project 1.2 The Regeneration of Gunnersbury Park 1.3 Vision for Gunnersbury Park and Local History Museum 1.4 Geographical Area of the Park 1.5 Ownership and Project management 1.6 Masterplan Development 1.7 Brief Outline of the Proposals 1.8 People Engagement 2.0 Phase One Priorities – Delivery Stage 2012 to 2016 2.1 Restoration of Landscape 2.2 Restoration of Buildings 2.3 Enhanced Museum 3.0 Phase Two Priorities – Delivery Stage 2015 to 2020 3.1 Small Mansion and Stables 3.2 Café, Catering and Events 3.3 Wider Parkland – Biodiversity and Potomac lake 4.0 Phase Three Priorities – Delivery Stage 2020 to 2026 4.1 Pitch and Putt 4.2 Amenity Facilities 4.3 Walled Garden 4.4 Playground 4.5 Sports 4.6 Japanese Garden 4.7 Management and Maintenance 5.0 Business Plan and Future Governance 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background to the Project Gunnersbury Park is a Grade II* English Heritage Registered Park containing 22 Grade II* and Grade II English Heritage listed buildings making it one of the top 30% of Registered Parks and Gardens containing some of the top 10% of historic buildings in England. The Park has a rich history and a strong historic significance having been owned and developed as private ‘country’ estates by both Princess Amelia, daughter of George II in the C18th and Baron Lionel de Rothschild and his family in C19th, before finally becoming a public park in 1926. Despite the best endeavours of the London Boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow the Park has been in decline for a number of years and 9 of the buildings and the park itself are now on the ‘At Risk’ register. Since 2009 a vision for the Park has evolved as both councils have realised the enormous untapped potential that exists in both the park and museum that once unlocked could bring about a transformational change that would make Gunnersbury Park a ‘destination’ park for visitors across London as well as the local community. Ealing and Hounslow Councils are fully committed to regenerating the park and as joint owners are working closely together for the first time in many years to create a Park and museum of outstanding quality. To ensure the success of the project a clear governance structure was put in place with equal representation from both Councils who meet regularly every 4 to 6 weeks to discuss progress, agree proposals and make decisions. Project Champions from both councils meet with English Heritage and other stakeholders to get high-level support for the project. A key requirement of English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund was to address the Park holistically rather than adopting a piecemeal approach. The 2009 Options Appraisal and the 2011 Feasibility Study and both adopted this holistic approach. However, these two studies identified that the scale of resources required to tackle the park holistically was such that it was highly unlikely that such resources would be capable of being applied to Gunnersbury Park in a single project. It was therefore agreed that phasing would be necessary and Gunnersbury 2026 was borne to coincide with the Parks centenary. The first phase of this 15-year project would start in 2012 and run until 2017. In the initial stages of the project a number of expert consultants were appointed to produce a suite of documents to inform the masterplan including: • Conservation Management Plan – overarching document outlining the significance, value and needs of the diverse features • Gunnersbury Park Options Appraisal – considering sustainable uses for the major buildings and how this might be funded • Museum Feasibility Study – considering the future development of the museum and its role in the regeneration of the whole Park • Catering Review – to consider the business case based on a holistic approach and to scope the opportunity that exists 1.2 The Regeneration of Gunnersbury Park Ealing and Hounslow Councils together with English Heritage have developed a masterplan strategy to address the significant number of challenges facing the Gunnersbury Park Project. The masterplan presents the vision for the future and details the work that needs to be undertaken to achieve it. The high level costs of the works have been calculated at £48m therefore the decision was made to deliver the masterplan in three phases with Phase 1 kick starting the regeneration of areas of the Park whilst viable new uses were found for those buildings and park land currently under used. This strategy of commencing with a manageable first phase will generate interest from other organisations and partners to assist with subsequent phases as they see the Park being transformed. This has already proved to be the case as considerable interest has been shown in the Small Mansion. 1.3 Vision for Gunnersbury Park and Local History Museum The vision, which has been endorsed by both councils at Cabinet level, is to conserve and enhance the significance of every aspect of the Park and so become: A sustainable high quality park with varied uses, which serve the local community and region whilst respecting, enhancing and interpreting its historic framework and fabric To achieve this vision and make Gunnersbury a significant heritage and leisure asset for the local and wider community, the councils and its partners will: • Conserve and enhance the significance of every aspect of the Park, the landscape, buildings and the museum collection • Restore the buildings, remove them from the ‘At Risk’ register and find a use for them to ensure they have a sustainable future • Restore the core heritage parkland, sports facilities, play areas and park infrastructure • Enhance and improve the museum service to strengthen its relevance and appeal to a wider audience and increase the number of visitors • Improve visitor facilities and make the Park and all its buildings more accessible and welcoming • Establish a range of interpretation opportunities for discovery and enjoyment that appeals to a variety of audiences and which links the Park and museum together • Develop a programme of park wide activities and educational opportunities (both in museum and outdoors) to engage with new and existing audiences, volunteers and partners • Ensure the site becomes financially viable and sustainable for future generations to enjoy • Pursue commercial uses that are financially imperative to the future sustainability of the Park • Strengthen links with the local community, stakeholders and organisations • Improve the management and maintenance of the Park and Museum to ensure improved efficiency and value for money The councils will work closely with English Heritage, planners and legal services to enable this vision to be achieved. 1.3 Geographical Context of the Park - The map below shows the location of Gunnersbury Park and the surrounding area A site map fig 1 location The areas surrounding Gunnersbury Park include, residential, business, educational and commercial land uses. Within a two-mile radius of Gunnersbury Park there are areas of both significant deprivation and disadvantage (such as parts of South Acton where more than 40% of the population are considered income deprived) as well as some of the least deprived areas in the country. The South Acton estate is within the 15% most deprived areas in the country; Brentford Towers is within the 21% most deprived. Poverty disproportionately affects children on these estates and latest statistics show that nearly two thirds of children (64%) on the South Acton estate and 51% of those at Brentford Towers are living in poverty. In terms of income deprivation affecting children, South Acton estate is amongst the 1% most deprived in the country, and Brentford Towers amongst the 6% most deprived. Approximately one-third of older people are also income deprived in these two areas. The park is located very close to the A4/M4 ‘Golden Mile’ where a number of national and international businesses are located and the award winning Chiswick Business Park is also located close by. There are 10 public entrances to the park that are well distributed along the north (Popes Lane), east (A406 North Circular Road) and west (Lionel Road North) boundaries. Pedestrians use all of these entrances and two entrances on Popes lane are also used by public and staff vehicles. Contractor’s vehicles can also use 3 other gates for special events and works. Three office blocks on the south boundary have private gated access to the park The park has excellent transport links including 3 nearby underground stations (Acton Town, South Ealing and Gunnersbury which is also on London Overground, all 10 –15 minutes walk), a main-line station (Kew Bridge 10 minutes walk), several bus routes. The park is directly accessible from the M4/A4 and North Circular Road and has a large main car park and a separate disabled car park as well as some parking on local roads and potentially in local offices at weekends. 1. 5 Ownership and Project Management The Park is situated in the London Borough of Hounslow but it is jointly owned by Ealing and Hounslow councils. Strategic decisions in relation to the site are taken jointly by both councils in accordance with the 1967 Agreement. Since the commitment from both authorities towards the Gunnersbury 2026 master plan, a joint project board has been established, with project champions, senior officers and cabinet members from both councils and English Heritage attending. Ealing Council’s Major Projects team are leading on this project on behalf of the two authorities, given its experience, expertise and existing structure. 1.6 Masterplan Development To inform the masterplan the following documents were used: • The Conservation Management Plan June 2008 undertaken by Chris Blandford Associates – this was adopted as formal guidance by both Ealing and Hounslow councils at Cabinet meetings held in December 2011 and January 2012 respectively.