GUNNER SBURY PARK London

Celebrating 100 years 1926 ‐ 2026

Gunnersbury Park Regeneration Project Project Report – August 2011

1. Key workstreams of the Gunnersbury Park Regeneration Project

• Heritage Landscape Restoration • Built Heritage Restoration • Gunnersbury Park Museum (including Historic Associations) • Local Community and Visitors • Nature Conservation • Management and Governance • Funding strategy • Commercial Opportunities & Enabling Development

2. Current Position – towards a Master Plan for Gunnersbury 2026

2.1 Ealing Council, Hounslow Council and English Heritage have been developing a strategy to address the significant number of issues and challenges facing the Gunnersbury Park Project previously identified in the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) A high level cost estimate of £48m has been produced based upon the CMP and other associated works carried out to date, Appendix 1.

2.2 It is clear that the project requires breaking down into phases, whilst not losing sight of the overall vision and master plan. In 2026, Gunnersbury Park will be celebrating its centenary. Therefore we have developed an initial brand concept of Gunnersbury 2026 for the regeneration project meaning a 15‐year programme to deliver the Master Plan.

2.3 The following table shows the suggested break down of the overall project into its delivery phases, however significant enabling activities will be taking place throughout all phases.

Table 1: Gunnersbury Park Regeneration Project Phasing and Deliverables Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Buildings Large Mansion Small Mansion – further Remaining Structures Museum repairs and refurbishment Stables (pending outcome of Temple survey) Lodges Small Mansion – critical Walls repairs Landscape Priority Heritage Parkland incl Parkland ‘desirable’ ‘Other’ Parkland projects Orangery plus other key park Including including features including boating Potomac Lake Walled garden / Capel Manor, lake, signage and Sports hub woodland biodiversity interpretation Japanese Garden Timescale 2011– 2015 development 2015‐2019 2019 – 2023 2015 start on site 2019 start on site 2023 start on site Cost £17m £15m £10.5m

Potential Heritage Grant Hounslow Council HLF Funding Ealing Council Enabling Development Sporting organisations Sources English Heritage Trusts S106/CIL

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3. Gunnersbury 2026 Funding Strategy

3.1 We are proposing, based upon feedback from key stakeholders and evidence produced in relation to the project, that the project would pursue a Heritage Grant application of under £5m and a Parks for People Application.

3.2 Taking into account the work required and the application dates, this would mean a Parks for People Application being submitted in February 2012, followed by a Heritage Grant Application of under £5m being submitted in March 2012

3.3 The total project match funding currently available is £5m, however up to £500k would be spent in developing the grant applications leaving the project with a match fund total of £4.5m. The proposal is to split this match funding between the Heritage Grant Application and Parks for People bid. Additional match funding will be required for the project, from other funding applications, Trust Grants etc. The following table outlines the breakdown of funding, which if secured would allow the delivery of over 35% of the programme.

Table 2: Funding Breakdown for first phase delivery* Source of Funding % Amount £,000 Heritage Grant Ealing Council 28.5 3, 000 HLF 41.5 4, 800 Unsecured funding from other grants, trusts and S106 30 2, 685 Sub Total 10, 485

Parks for People Ealing Council 21 1, 500 HLF 49 4, 000 Unsecured funding from other grants, trusts and S106 30 1, 650 Sub total 7, 150

Phase 1 total 17, 635

*Surveys are currently taking place to verify the costs estimates produced, which has been supported by English Heritage, in terms of not only financial, but officer expertise.

Page 3 of 7 4 Aims of Phase One (see Plan 1)

Building Heritage Restoration (Museum, Small Mansion & Stables)

4.1 The Heritage Grant application will focus on the Museum Collections, the Large Mansion and its immediate setting. The feasibility study has identified that the restoration of the large mansion as the museum would directly address the issues of the poor physical condition of the building. This would create an opportunity for visitor to engage with the rich collections of the museum in an improved setting as well as conserving and showcasing the heritage significance of the large mansion itself. The Parks for People application will identify aspects within the ‘heritage core’, plus access and facilities across the entire park.

4.2 It is proposed that the content of the museum could be based upon four topics with related interpretive themes:

• Local History (“sense of place”, “garden landscapes”, “growing suburbs”, “earning a living”, “clean air and sunshine”) • Specifically Gunnersbury (the Estate, the formal rooms, “below stairs”, the kitchens, the environment) • Local History linked to the Gunnersbury Kitchens (“army of servants”, “food and farming”) • Special collections (“fibre, fir & feather”, “antiquarians & collectors”)

Across these topics, three themes of place (the two boroughs), people (local communities) and park (The Gunnersbury Estate).

4.3 The museum feasibility study (appendix 2), has shown the museum collections are extensive and important. With refurbished galleries unlocking the potential of the museum it will create an outstanding new visitor experience. The feasibility study indicates that visit numbers could reach in excess of 65,000 compared to 31,000 (2009/10).

Small Mansion

4.4 The current proposals provide for critical repairs to the Small Mansion to prevent further deterioration and to therefore the potential to allow for short‐term community use. There is interest from local groups who would provide a revenue income and a number of small grant funding opportunities have been identified. At the same time, the Commercial Opportunities & Enabling Development workstream will explore options via a “soft market test” exercise.

Stables

4.5 Currently structural surveys are underway within the East and West Stables. A full survey report is expected at the end of September. English Heritage have expressed the view that we should consider all options for the stable building. The “soft market test” exercise will explore options.

Page 4 of 7 Heritage Landscape Restoration (Parks for People)

4.6 An initial landscape master plan for the site has been developed including the “heritage core”(plans 2a‐e), based upon the conservation management plan and recent site surveys. An approach for restoring priority heritage parkland has been developed for estimating and consultation purposes to show the areas of intervention via the above approach (plan 3).

4.7 The key aim is to restore the ‘core’ heritage landscape of the park (see appendix 1) and other key park features to provide an excellent range of visitor attractions and activities appropriate for its role as a West London ‘destination’ park.

4.8 We will shortly be working closely with our maintenance contractor to identify ways of improving management and maintenance of the Park including the targeting of resources.

4.9 There are clearly opportunities to work closely with Capel Manor College to improve skills and knowledge through learning and training opportunities in the park. It is our aim to work with community groups and stakeholders to increase the range of audiences, and volunteers and actively involve local people. In addition, we aim to develop strong education, activity and volunteering links between the park, the museum and the wider community.

4. Commercial Opportunities & Enabling Activities

5.1 Commercial – it is vital that the project delivers a sustainable future for the park, therefore an initial assessment has been made by property advisors Cushman and Wakfields, on potential opportunities and areas of the commercial market that may be interested. “Soft market testing” will be taking place with regards to these suggested activities over the coming months for incorporation into the master plan.

5.2 Local Development Framework ‐ Hounslow Borough Council, as the planning authority, is currently consulting on its preferred Core Strategy that provides the planning vision for the borough for the period up until 2028. The Preferred Strategy clearly highlights the importance of enhancing our heritage parks as part of the wider regeneration of the borough. The Council will be adopting supplementary planning guidance which complements the emerging master plan and this will provide clear criteria for assessing any applications for the site.

5.3 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and S106 – The above document will need to be conterminous with the CIL document produced by the authority. This levy does not replace S106 but will allow for a capital contribution, if justified, to be awarded towards this project and activities it delivers.

5.4 Development Opportunities – As shown in the total project cost estimate, the estimates cost of £48m will require enabling development opportunities to deliver Gunnersbury 2026. As with the commercial assessment, we have made an initial estimate at the potential sites for development and estimate capital receipt.

5.5 Consultation – Based upon previous feedback, following the suggestion of enabling development along Lionel Road, it is clear that this will present a challenge to the project and

Page 5 of 7 one that requires close management, whilst not jeopardising progress being made on the initial phase of the project.

5. Governance (Community Advisory Panel)

4.1 The Gunnersbury Park Project Board is now well established and involves the joint project champions from Hounslow and Ealing Councils, senior politicians and the design team.

4.2 A Key aspect of Gunnersbury 2026 is to create a Community Advisory Panel aimed to recruit local people to provide their expertise, support and encouragement to the project and act as ambassadors and advocates. In the short to medium term it is our intention to create a Gunnerbury Park Trust.

4.3 It is hoped the panel will be able to communicate with the public through focus groups and events and have a key role in levering in funding including public donations, charitable organisations alongside corporate and private sponsorship.

4.4 The opportunity was widely advertised and an application pack was returned to all expressions of interest. Applicants were shortlisted and interviewed in to provide a range of skills on the panel that would align with the key workstreams of the Gunnersbury Park 2026 project. In order to strengthen the panel. additional members have been co‐opted and an inaugural meeting has taken place. The panel are:

• James Wisdom is the chair of the Friends of Gunnersbury Park and museum; • Chris Sumner is an experienced professional in historic buildings and landscape and previously worked for English Heritage; • Jacqueline Macbeth has experience in charitable, corporate and private sponsorship; • Linda James has experience of community engagement through the arts; • Marie Rabouhans is an experienced scientist with a particular interest in wildlife and the environment and; • Julia Blades is a museum professional with experience in HLF projects.

4.5 The Community Advisory Panel have already purchased the domain name for a website and are developing branding for a community engagement campaign: Gunnersbury 2026 – what will you do?

5 Capel Manor and other Local Community Engagement

5.1 The Principal Designate (Dr Steve Dowbiggin), believes Capel Manor would be a key partner, with valuable contacts and resources including raising capital and initiating projects. A number of opportunities are be explored including: • More engagement with the community; • Expansion of current activities; • Developing a series of gardens and demonstration areas for food production, animal care and conservation management could prove attractions in the park • Developing courses with an element of volunteering and apprenticeships; • Courses (Food production and animal care) could tie in with Cooking and Horticulture themes in the museum. Page 6 of 7

5.2 We have also started working with a number of local community organisations and service providers to discuss partnership working in Gunnersbury, including: • Acton Community Forum • Action Acton • Brentford Football Community Sport Trust • Accession Social Enterprise • Impact Theatre • Get Hooked • APPLE Community Arts • Ealing CVS and Ealing’s Volunteer Centre.

5.3 A number of consultation activities with park users and non park users are planned between now and grant submission:

• Providing information and consultation activities (e.g. focus groups, surveys and idea shower sheet) at local community activities including Acton Carnival, Brentford Festival, London Mela; • Trialing activities with families and children including a bat walk, tree walk and pond dipping; • Workshops with young people e.g. photography workshops to gather young people’s views on the park, accredited Introduction to Freshwater Fishing; • Focus groups with schools (secondary, primary, special educational needs and early years); • Trialing community group activities including a community picnic and museum tour with local BME groups to celebrate Black History Month, pop up arts and gardening project in the Orangery with local children and young people, museum tour for the hard of hearing, developing a pod cast tour of the park with the local traveller community based on their heritage and their links to Gunnersbury; • Public events including Princess Amelia in the bath house for Open House weekend and consultation with design and architecture aficionados, Museum outreach event at Paul Robson Theatre, Brentford – ‘Mary Seacole’ for local families; • Continue to meet with a range of local community organisations and service providers to discuss partnership working in Gunnersbury e.g. Hounslow CVS, Brentford Community Council, Hounslow and Ealing Adult Learning, local colleges.

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