Poole Park Conservation Plan 06 October 2016 Prepared by the Borough of Poole Draft Prepared by the Borough of Poole, Environment Development Team Address: Environmental and Consumer Protection Services Borough of Poole | Unit 1New Fields Business Park | Stinsford Road | Poole BH17 0NF W: poole.gov.uk and pooleprojects.net Front Cover: Postcards from the Paul Hillman Poole Park Collection of Historic Postcards © Crown copyright and database right 2015 OS Survey 100024248 2015 Poole Park, Conservation Plan ( vers. 1 DRAFT) 2 Contents Executive Summary 2.3 Public Use and Enjoyment SECTION FIVE: POLICIES & ACTIONS 2.3.1 Recreation and Events 5.1 Vision and Conservation Approach SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION 2.3.2 Movement & Access 5.2 Site-wide Policies and Actions 1.1 Introduction to the Conservation Plan 2.3.3 Education and Interpretation 5.2.1 Historic Landscape 1.2 Physical Context Policy CON1: Landscape Character and Design 1.3 Planning and Management Context 2.4 Environment Policy CON2: Historic Buildings and Structures 1.4 Site Plan 2.4.1 Habitats and Biodiversity Policy CON3: Management and Maintenance 2.4.2 Water quality 5.2.2 Landscape and Built Fabric SECTION TWO: UNDERSTANDING THE PLACE Policy BUIL1: Surfaces, Furniture and Drainage 2.1 Historic Context SECTION THREE: STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Policy BUIL2: Trees, Grassland and Horticultural 2.1.1 Park Evolution 3.1 Methodology for Assessing Significance Displays Early History - 1886 The Idea of a People’s Park 3.2 Statement of Significance Policy BUIL3: Facilities and Play 1886 - 1890’s Design, Construction & Opening Evidential (archaeological) Value 1900 - 1930’s ‘Country and Family Park’ Historic Value 5.2.3 Public Access and Enjoyment 1939 - 1945 World War II Aesthetic Value Policy PUB1: Community, Recreation and Play 1950’s - 1970’s Amenity and Recreation Community Value Policy PUB2: Vehicle Access and Parking 1980’s - 1990 Restoration and Centenary Environmental Significance Policy PUB3: Education and Interpretation 1990 - Present Day Significance of Individual Buildings and Elements Chronology 5.2.4 Environment 2.1.2 Historic Design Analysis SECTION FOUR: RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES Policy EN1: Environment 4.1 Historic Landscape Character and Design 5.3 Character Area Policies and Actions 2.2 Landscape and Built Fabric 4.2 Landscape and Built Fabric Policy PD: Park Drive 2.2.1 Overview of the Built Environment 4.3 Public Use and Enjoyment Policy NB: Northern Park Landscape 2.2.2 Facilities and Play 4.4 Environment Policy WM: War Memorials 2.2.3 Surfaces, Furniture and Drainage Policy BL: Boating Lake 2.2.4 Trees, Grassland and Horticultural Displays Policy CP: Cricket Pitch and Cycle Track 2.2.5 Views Policy FW: Freshwater Lakes 2.2.6 Descripton of Landscape Character Areas Policy CC: Copse Close Annex and their Management: Policy NU: Nursery Park Drive Northern Park Landscape SECTION SIX: ADOPTION AND REVIEW War Memorials 6.1 How and When Boating Lake Cricket Pitch and Cycle Track APPENDIX Freshwater Lakes Appendix A: Bibliography Copse Close Annex Appendix B: Map Regression Nursery Appendix C: Gazetteer Appendix D: Records of Public Consultation 3 Poole Park, Conservation Plan (vers 1.0 DRAFT) Executive Summary Poole Park comprises x hectares of . The land is owned Each of the site wide policies is supported by an and managed by the Borough of Poole. illustrative masterplan a series of prioritised management policies. The headline projects that will be delivered over The Conservation Plan provides a strategy for the future the neat two years management of Poole Park and will be used to guide resources over the next 10 years. The Plan has been developed through consultation with X and wider public consultation. The Plan is organised under the themes of X, X,X to consider the existing character and features of the Park. These themes are also used to assess the relative values and significances of the site and to identify issues, vulnerabilities and opportunities. The results of this investigation and analysis work are then taken forward to inform the development of a vision and management policies which will be used to guide the furure conservation and enhancement of Poole Park. Vision for Poole Park The Vision for Poole Park is: The vision is supported by a number of overarching site wide policies organised under the four themes: Policy 1: Acknow ledgment: Policy 2: This Plan would not have been possible without the help of the following people: Policy 3: • The staff at Poole Museum and Local History Centre Policy 4: • The staff at the Dorset History Centre • Andrew Hawkes Policy 5: In memory of Paul Hillman, Landscape Architect with the Borough of Poole from 1989-2008. Poole Park, Conservation Plan ( vers. 1 DRAFT) 4 Section One: Introduction 5 Poole Park, Conservation Plan (vers 1.0 DRAFT) Section One: Introduction 1.1 Introduction to the Conservation Plan Introduction What is a Conservation Plan? Methodology Section Four: Risks and Opportunities - explains what is happening to the heritage of the park, how it might be Poole Park is a Grade II listed Late-Victorian Public Park A Conservation Plan is an integrated document that The Plan has been produced in accordance with the vulnerable and potential threats and opportunites. and is owned and managed by the Borough of Poole. It is considers different kinds of heritage collectively1. The Plan methodology outlined in the ‘Conservation Plan Guidance one of only two Victorian Parks in the Borough of Poole first draws together information to provide an understanding – Parks for People’ (Heritage Lottery Fund, October 2012) Section Five: Vision and Policies – sets out specific aims which were designed in the late 1800’s to provide public of why the heritage of Poole Park is important and to whom and ‘Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance’ by and objectives for conserving, enhancing and managing recreation for the increasing population. Today, Poole (its significance), and second, it uses that information and English Heritage (2008). the Park. Park is still a popular and a much-loved attraction for both understanding to formulate recommendations and actions Section Six: Implementation, Adoption and Review - Poole’s residents and visitors. to manage the heritage of the Park. Other supporting Documents explains how the CP will be adopted, implemented, Poole Park is already a magical place, combining an In describing and assessing the different significances The Plan is to be read in conjunction with the following monitored and reviewed. unique waterside setting, historic buildings, trees and of the Park’s heritage, and how it might be at risk, the supporting documents: Appendices – Bibliography, Map Regression, Gazetter, wildlife with a range of opportunities for informal and CP informs decisions about new works, conservation • Activity Plan Records of Public Consultation. formal recreation. To ensure that Poole Park is passed on and restoration projects, public interpretation, general • Design and Access Statement to future generations to enjoy, the Borough of Poole aims management and prioritising of actions. • 10 Year Maintenance and Management Plan to manage the Park effectively and efficiently, balancing • Victorian Buildings in Poole Park, The brick and the responsibility to conserve and enhance the historic Scope and Limitations of the Plan terracotta structures within Poole Park, Conservation Consultation landscape with the objectives to encourage access and condition survey, report and recommendations for care The CP covers the extent of Poole Park as identified by The following stakeholders and interest groups are to increase opportunities for enjoyment, education, by Tom Beattie Stone Conservation, December 2015. the English Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens of currently being consulted in preparing the final document; entertainment and healthy recreation. • Poole Parks Lakes: Research and Monitoring, Special Historic Interest in England. 2 The site boundary • XXXXX Bournemouth University, March 2016. is shown on the Designation Plan and Site Plan, Figure 3 Built Heritage Walk Why a Conservation Plan? • Consultation documents ? Landscape Heritage Walk and 4. Consultation Evening ‘What do you value?’ The Conservation Plan (CP) for Poole Park has been The scope of the Plan includes the following objectives: Structure of the Conservation Plan prepared by the Borough of Poole Environmental • review the most recent ‘Historic Landscape Restoration Add details of Public Consultation Process carried out Development Team, to guide the next 10 years of This document is set out under six main headings: sofar. Feasibility Study’ prepared by Gillespies for the conservation management and to support Stage 2 of the Section One: Introduction – explains the purpose of the Borough of Poole (2000) within a Conservation Plan Consultation responses have been included in Appendix Heritage Lottery grant funding process. document and provides background information and the framework; X. The Conservation Plan has been updated from previous • identify changes in the physical landscape that have planning and management context. Conservation Management Plans. The document reflects taken place since 2000; Section Two: Understanding the Place – describes the changes in site condition and conservation priorities, • identify and assess new archival and survey heritage of the park, including development through time. It benefits from new community links and research and information; and also describes the condition of Poole Park today including complies with current best practice and guidance provided • identify additional specialist survey and analysis work its landscape character, hard and soft landscape fabric, by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund for the that may be required for future conservation work. public access and enjoyment and environment; and how management of historic landscapes. The Plan draws on primary research and analysis provided the Park is managed at the moment. The CP has been developed as part of a suite of documents by Gillespies and research undertaken by Paul Hillman, Section Three: Statement of Significance- sets out what is to guide the future management of the Park.