Site Description 2 Context The valley is steep sided, rising to over 130m to the north at The or Historic Interest. Unlike the historic parks and gardens register, listed 2.1 General Description Minnis, and a similar height to the south where the land rises to a buildings have statutory protection and therefore a listed building may Kearsney Parks are situated in the Dour valley near to River and Temple plateau on which St Radigund’s Abbey was sited. not be demolished, extended, or altered without special permission from Ewell, some five miles north west of , . The site comprises the local planning authority. The soils in the park are generally shallow and lime-rich throughout; two parks either side of the Alkham Road, which is the main inland road adjacent to the river they are overlain with a thin alluvium. These thin In Russell Gardens there are three listings: between Dover and . To the north of the Alkham Road is the alkaline soils restrict the range of species that can thrive in the parks; the terraced Russell Gardens, which is noted for its formal canal; to the 2 Bridge Pavilions Grade II native species that survive such alkalinity make up the habitat we know south is Kearsney Abbey with its café overlooking a large lake. as chalk grassland. Boathouse Pavilion Grade II A general plan of the site and the names used throughout the report are In Kearsney Abbey, the following are listed: shown in Figure 2.1. 2.4 Designations and Planning Policy Bridge in the grounds of Kearsney Abbey Grade II context 2.2 Ownership Ruin in the grounds of Kearsney Abbey Grade II Council owns all the land shown in Figure 2.2. This Historical Designations Kearsney Abbey House Grade II covers the entirety of Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens. The Registered Park Russell Gardens is listed on the Historic Register of Historic Arch across river Grade II original landscape of Kearsney Court House is partly owned by residents Parks and Gardens. The designation does not carry any statutory of the House. Part of wall and gatepiers to Kearsney Abbey Grade II controls but it is a ‘material consideration’ in the planning process. As Wall at the end of the lake in the grounds 2.3 Physical setting such, local authorities must take into account the historic interest of the site when determining planning applications. Russell Gardens is of Kearsney Abbey Grade II The geology of the area is dominated by chalk, a very porous alkaline currently registered as Grade II which means Kent Gardens Trust must rock that produces a distinctive landscape. The area is essentially a Ecological Designations also be consulted on any applications affecting the site. huge plateau of chalk that has been incised by small streams and rivers There are no ecological designations that currently cover the parks. A copy of the designation is included in Appendix 1. and, as the rock is relatively soft, the watercourses carve out There are important ecological areas within the and characteristically steep, narrow, valleys. Another characteristic of the Kearsney Abbey is not included in this listing. immediately to the south west of Coxhill Mount lies Alkham, and watercourses is that they are often seasonal in their flow and sometimes Swingfield Woods SSSI, which includes the ancient woodland at Dover District Heritage Strategy 2013 they can dry up altogether. This fact, along with the distinctive fauna Dover’s recent Heritage Strategy specifically identifies the parks and Frandham Wood. and flora that thrive in such conditions make ‘chalk streams’ very whilst there is no formal policy of heritage protection the strategy states: unusual habitats. Landscape/Planning Designations ‘The historic gardens at Kearsney are maintained as a public garden and The boundary of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is Kearsney Parks have developed with such a chalk stream at their heart: provide valuable green space close to the urban centre of Dover. The drawn exactly around the northern and western boundary of Russell the River Dour, and one of its tributaries. The water draining south from gardens provide an attractive open area and are valued by the local Gardens and exactly to the western boundary of the site on Coxhill is named the Dour; the river running along the bottom of community. Opportunity should be sought to continue to promote, Mount. The designation identifies areas of natural landscape beauty and the Alkham valley is sometimes also referred to as the Dour, but is also interpret and develop the historic gardens as an important local amenity encourages planning authorities to safeguard this value. known as the , or Drellingore arm of the Dour. Therefore, for space.’ descriptive purposes in this report it has been referred to as the There are four trees in front of Kearsney Court (four green circles on Listed Buildings Drellingore. Kearsney Abbey lies at the confluence of the two Within the parks there are a number of garden features that are listed on Figure 2.3) that are covered by a tree preservation order as well as a watercourses. the Historic England Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural block of trees to the west. All were designated in February 1965.

Kearsney Parks: Conservation Plan 2-1 September 2015 Site Description

In addition, a block of trees described as Palmtree Hill Plantation, How can we manage peak time travel and parking? welcome dog walkers / could be similar to National Trust café on the comprising ‘mixed hardwoods consisting mainly of beech, sycamore, A Increase parking capacity White Cliffs / needs to be flexible for schools, scouts, workshops, ash and hazel’, is also designated. volunteers / design needs to be in keeping with the landscape, robust, Improve and extend existing car parks / buy more land for overflow not too grand / open-sided structure could work but may attract parking / formalise ‘overflow’ parking near playground / use land near Archaeological designations vandalism / need for CCTV? Scout hut / could other local organisations provide parking (bowls club, There are no archaeological designations covering the site. nursing home, etc) / limit café car park to disabled people, families and Where should the balance lie between authentic historical access for boat club / need coach drop off/parking space especially for 2.5 Access and Public Rights of Way restoration and the requirements of today’s park users? short visits to gardens / don’t detract from key views too much A Historical restoration There is only one designated footpath that crosses the site and this B Management connects Frandham Wood via Coxhill Mount to Abbey Road and the Focus on Russell Gardens (be brave and purist, with more sensitive play Alkham Road. The parks do not link to wider footpath networks on Don’t charge / don’t add double yellow lines on Alkham Road / don’t provision) / be more pragmatic about Kearsney Abbey / some other boundaries. introduce a controlled parking zone / the parking issue generally apprehension about tree removals although removals at Dover Castle manages itself even on busy days / events can be managed separately / were successful / maintain privacy and security of Kearsney Court Technically, the whole of Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens are open see how it goes over time / donation rather than charge for parking / residents / gazebo and play provision in Russell Gardens not in keeping to the public. However, not all of the land owned by the council is need a parking strategy but does attract users currently made accessible, as unusual ownership boundaries have arisen around Kearsney Court, which if made generally accessible would C Public transport, cycling and walking B Ecological restoration impinge on privacy of residents. It is hoped that one outcome of this Improve access from station / promotion / peak time park and ride / Chalk grassland is valued but needs to be accessible, understandable plan might be restoration of this situation to allow greater appreciation hop-on-hop-off shuttle around town / subsidized bus tickets and/or and managed by the visiting public of the landscape of Russell Gardens. rewards for using public transport to travel to the parks / cycle access C Russell Gardens and parking / pedestrian route to town 2.6 Community and Recreational Use Needs toilets and kiosk to attract visitors and cater to likely increased How can we make the parks more financially sustainable? use The parks are very popular local and regional open spaces. In 2013 a Mixed views – some felt the café, parks and events should be mainly for visitor survey was undertaken to understand the audience in more detail. Tennis courts – mixed views, some saying they should stay and be community benefit, others suggested events like weddings and private better maintained, other questioned whether cost of maintenance was The majority of visitors arrive by car, 62%, although for the local users use could happen but should be ‘out of the way’, off peak and income worth benefits to a limited number of users from the Dover catchment, this drops to 50%. Whilst most visitors (57%) would need to be reinvested in the parks are local visitors, 37% come from the wider East Kent and 6% from Need more information about heritage, access, ecology / trails and QR Cultural events like Dover Music Festival, open air theatre and cinema / further afield. Many visitors come regularly: 40% of people visit weekly or codes would need park and ride / try it and see if it works / café open in more and 72% visit at least once a month. evening / not appropriate for weddings / Russell Gardens as venue for Is there appetite for community involvement in the management of The survey also showed that nearly half were visiting with family (only weddings using temporary marquees / River Parish Council may be the parks? 12% came alone) and that 92% visited Kearsney Abbey site with a third interested in helping to manage some events DDC should continue to lead, although there is an appetite for of those also visiting Russell Gardens, but only 4 people made a specific community involvement in the project, events and volunteering visit to the latter site. Comments about the café and extension A Catering offer It needs a clear plan so people understand roles and responsibilities Significant comment was made about the need for more car parking, Routine maintenance and quality horticulture needs paid professionals better WC facilities and the need to improve footpaths. There were a Existing operator provides a good service, pricing, value, menu choice / range of comments about the café but particularly requests for longer could open in the evening and provide more outside space / could be Volunteers likely to help with light gardening and ‘added extras’ like opening hours and better outdoor and covered seating. licenced / could provide soup and roll at end of guided tours events, guided tours – there is interest in a regular Kearsney Parks forum or similar More specific consultation was undertaken in May 2015 when local stakeholders were asked for their views on some of the main issues B Building facing the park. The following summarises responses: Support for continued use of billiard room as café space / needs to

2-2 Kearsney Parks: Conservation Plan September 2015 Site Description

SCOTLAND Pavilion

Def

COMMON Bowling Green Kearsney Ward The Gables Manor

62 Kearsney Manour 103 Bdy FS

El Sub Sta FF Courtland Kearsney LB Cottage Day Hospital Abbey Villa 101

River

Dour GP Presby Church

North Lodge 158

Und 29.5m 35.0m BS Wayside CW 29.2m

7 1 COURT to KEARSNEY 21 Kearsney Court 156 1 ROAD South Lodge Court ALKHAM Tank Toilets Beechwood Kearsney Icehouse SP 10 to 18 33.01(Roof) Court EK PCs Play Area Pantiles 33.15(Roof) Play Area Cheviot House Car Park MP 75.25 Bydand Und Kearsney Abbey The Fold 154 Karnak Russell Gardens 36.88(Roof) Leahurst Court Alkham Road EK Cafe

152 Bdy Ward 1 CW FB CedarCedar of River Drellingore 29.4m Lebanon

Tennis Court FB ROAD SP Lily Pond 150

LOWER Kearsney Abbey Mill 31.8m 5 Toilets 38.16(Ridge) Tennis Court Def PCs Bushy Ruff East Pavilion Fn House 34.91(Ridge) FB 33.41(Eave) Bridge Russell Gardens Und Fountains 11 Abbey PAVILION Def El Sub Sta Glen Play Area Gazebo MEADOW Car Park Shelter Abbey The Canal 144 The Swiss Playground CW Cottage Stables Car Park Bourne Anton 1 FB Lake Pond 34.12(Eave) Kingswood

35.95(Ridge) Green Tiles West Pavilion 6 Boathouse Waterfall 136 Cottage Ruff FB 33.97(Eave) Bushy BridgeFB Weir Cottages 132 1 FB Boating Lake 30.7m Open Air Lodge Theatre 126 Sl

Weir Lower

ABBEY

Road 7 ROAD Abbey Road 124 CHISNALL Kearsney Abbey ROAD 118

Bdy Ward River Dour ROAD CF ALKHAM

Applecroft Dublin Man of War (PH) River

Sta Dour Track 25.0m Ppg Manyara 24

Uplands Sl

18 Stone 177 16 River Paper Mill 14

17 SANCTUARY 15 4 1 11 2 LANE Scarp Slope Woodland 18 CLOSE

MINNIS River Cottage

3 4 1 AVENUE CHILTON Scout Hut 9 6 9a

11 8 Scout Hut Track 6 15 33 Chilton Way 17 Coxhill Mount

31 El 5 Varchel Sub Sta

House 21 The CHILTON WAY 1a Magpies 1 St Peter's Hall

Wingate Church

19 6 St Peter's 1 4

2 Church Lane 22 Coxhill Mount CHILTON

Coxhill Crescent 29 17 WAY COXHILL 1

15 Coxhill Mount 13 Minnis 9 CRESCENT LB 37 9 TCB Linden GARDENS 1 31.8m 192 PO COXHILL LANE 182

22

MINNIS 14

169 172 13 47

30.6m 16 KEY 157 49

Track 34 53

38 25 .2m 55 39 Coxhill Woodland 26 Und Coxhill Gardens 46 River GARDENS Primary 63 COXHILL School 56 43.9m 65 67 37 62

69

RIVER 38 75

2 74 3 Study Area 42

Karma 6

86 49 13 Frandham Wood Cardrona MEADWAY 10

Rivington Westlea

58.3m 91 48 93 Scale approximately 1:2500 at A3 98 Minnis Mount 61.6m

21 105 107 108 Figure 2.1 Study Area

Kearsney Parks: Conservation Plan 2-3 September 2015 Site Description

SCOTLAND Pavilion

Def

COMMON Bowling Green Kearsney Ward The Gables Manor

62 Kearsney Manour 103 Bdy FS

El Sub Sta FF Courtland Kearsney LB Cottage Day Hospital Abbey Villa 101

River

Dour GP Presby Church

North Lodge 158

Und 29.5m 35.0m BS Wayside CW 29.2m

7 1 COURT to KEARSNEY 21 Kearsney Court 156 1 ROAD South Lodge Court ALKHAM Tank Beechwood Kearsney SP 10 to 18 33.01(Roof) Court EK PCs Play Area Pantiles 33.15(Roof)

Cheviot House MP 75.25 Bydand Und Kearsney Abbey The Fold 154 Karnak Russell Gardens 36.88(Roof) Leahurst Court EK

152 Bdy Ward 1 CW

FB Cedar of 29.4m Lebanon

Tennis Court FB ROAD SP 150

LOWER 31.8m 5

38.16(Ridge) Tennis Court Def PCs Bushy Ruff Fn House 34.91(Ridge) FB 33.41(Eave) Russell Gardens Und

11 Abbey PAVILION Def El Sub Sta Glen MEADOW

Car Park Shelter Abbey The 144 The Swiss Playground CW Cottage Stables Bourne Anton 1 FB Lake Pond 34.12(Eave) Kingswood

35.95(Ridge) Green Tiles 6 Waterfall 136 Cottage Ruff FB 33.97(Eave) Bushy FB Weir Cottages 132 1 FB 30.7m

Lodge 126

Sl

Weir

ABBEY

7

ROAD

124

CHISNALL Kearsney Abbey ROAD 118

Bdy Ward

ROAD CF ALKHAM

Applecroft Dublin Man of War (PH) River

Sta Dour Track 25.0m Ppg Manyara 24

Uplands Sl

18 Stone 177 16 14

17 SANCTUARY 15 4 1 11 2 LANE 18 CLOSE

MINNIS River Cottage

3 4 1 AVENUE CHILTON 9

6 9a

11 8 Scout Hut Track 6 15 33 Coxhill Mount 17

31 El 5 Varchel Sub Sta

House 21 The CHILTON WAY 1a Magpies 1 St Peter's Hall

Wingate Church

19 6 1 4

2 22

Coxhill Mount CHILTON

29 17 WAY COXHILL 1

15 13

9 CRESCENT LB 37 9 TCB Linden GARDENS 1 31.8m 192 PO COXHILL LANE 182

22

MINNIS 14

169 172 13 47

30.6m 16 KEY 157 49

Track 34 53

38 25 .2m 55 39

26

Und 46

River GARDENS Primary 63 COXHILL School 56 43.9m 65 67 37 62

69

RIVER 38 75

2 74 3 Area of Ownership 42

Karma 6

86 49 13 Frandham Wood Cardrona MEADWAY 10

Rivington Westlea

58.3m 91 48 93 Scale approximately 1:2500 at A3 98 Minnis Mount 61.6m

21 105 107 108 Figure 2.2 Ownership Boundary

2-4 Kearsney Parks: Conservation Plan September 2015 Site Description

SCOTLAND Pavilion

Def

COMMON Bowling Green Kearsney Ward The Gables Manor 62 Bdy FS 103

El Sub Sta FF Courtland Kearsney LB Cottage Day Hospital Abbey Villa 101

River GP Dour Presby Church

North Lodge 158

Und 29.5m 35.0m BS Wayside CW 29.2m

7 1 COURT to KEARSNEY 21

156

1 ROAD South Lodge Court ALKHAM Tank Beechwood Kearsney SP Court 10 to 18 EK 33.01(Roof) PCs Play Area Pantiles 33.15(Roof)

Cheviot House MP 75.25 Bydand Und Kearsney Abbey The Fold 154 Karnak 36.88(Roof)

Leahurst Court EK

152 Bdy Ward 1 CW

FB Cedar of 29.4m Lebanon

Tennis Court FB ROAD SP 150

LOWER 31.8m 5

38.16(Ridge) Tennis Court Def PCs Bushy Ruff Fn House 34.91(Ridge) FB 33.41(Eave) Russell Gardens Und

11 Abbey PAVILION Def El Sub Sta Glen MEADOW

Car Park Shelter Abbey The 144 The Swiss Playground CW Cottage Stables Bourne Anton 1 FB Lake Pond 34.12(Eave) Kingswood

35.95(Ridge) Green Tiles 6 Waterfall 136 Cottage Ruff FB 33.97(Eave) Bushy FB Weir Cottages 132 1 FB 30.7m

Lodge 126

Sl

Weir

ABBEY

7

ROAD

124

CHISNALL

ROAD

118

Bdy Ward

ROAD CF ALKHAM

Applecroft Dublin Man of War (PH) River

Sta Dour Track 25.0m Ppg Manyara 24 Uplands Sl

18 Stone 177 16 14

17 SANCTUARY 15 4 1 11 2 LANE 18 CLOSE

MINNIS River Cottage 3 4 1 AVENUE CHILTON 9

6 9a

11 8 Scout Hut Track 6 15 33 Coxhill Mount 17

31 El 5 Varchel Sub Sta

House 21 The CHILTON WAY 1a Magpies 1 St Peter's Hall

Wingate Church

19 6 1 4

2 22

Coxhill Mount CHILTON

29 17 WAY COXHILL 1

15 13

9 CRESCENT LB 37 9 TCB Linden GARDENS 1 31.8m 192 PO COXHILL LANE 182

22

MINNIS 14

169 172 13 47

30.6m 16 KEY 157 49 Track 34 Listed53 Buildings, Grade II

38 25 .2m 55 39

26

Und 46 Registered Park, Grade II River GARDENS Primary 63 COXHILL School 56 43.9m 65 67 37 62

69 Tree Preservation Orders

(areas and individual trees) RIVER 38 75

2 74 3 42 Study Area

Karma 6

86 49 13 Frandham Wood Cardrona 10 MEADWAY

Rivington Westlea

58.3m 91 48 93 Scale approximately 1:2500 at A3 98 Minnis Mount 61.6m

21 105 107 108 Figure 2.3 Designation

Kearsney Parks: Conservation Plan 2-5 September 2015