SOUTH RENFREWSHIRE ACCESS NETWORK INITIATIVE CONSERVATION STATEMENT & MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS Prepared for Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park on behalf of The SRANI Partnership by Land Use Consultants November 2008 37 Otago Street Glasgow G12 8JJ Tel: 0141 334 9595 Fax: 0141 334 7789 [email protected] CONTENTS 1. Background to the Conservation Statement ................................... 1 Scope of the Conservation Statement ...................................................................................................1 Location.........................................................................................................................................................1 Conservation Statement Aims .................................................................................................................1 Limitations.....................................................................................................................................................1 Ownership of the Conservation Statement..........................................................................................2 Remainder of the Report ..........................................................................................................................2 2. Stakeholder Interests & Consultation............................................... 3 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................3 Stakeholder Consultation..........................................................................................................................3 Public Consultation.....................................................................................................................................3 Phase 1...........................................................................................................................................................3 Informal Consultation ................................................................................................................................5 Phase 2...........................................................................................................................................................5 Phase 3...........................................................................................................................................................6 Wider Consultation....................................................................................................................................7 3. The History of the Castle Semple Estate ......................................... 9 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................9 Early History.................................................................................................................................................9 Late Medieval Developments....................................................................................................................9 Early Modern Period................................................................................................................................ 11 The Era of Improvement ........................................................................................................................ 12 Dissolution, Drainage and Decline....................................................................................................... 19 Reshaping the Estate................................................................................................................................ 24 Influence on Natural Heritage............................................................................................................... 25 4. The Project Area in 2008.................................................................. 27 Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 27 Topography and General Layout.......................................................................................................... 27 Buildings and Structures ......................................................................................................................... 31 Historic Trees and Planting.................................................................................................................... 33 Nature Conservation Interest............................................................................................................... 37 Uses of the Resource.............................................................................................................................. 38 5. Assessment of Significance............................................................... 41 Statement of Significance ........................................................................................................................ 41 Overview of Significance......................................................................................................................... 42 Detailed Analysis of Significance ........................................................................................................... 43 Historical Significance.............................................................................................................................. 43 Architectural Significance ....................................................................................................................... 50 Archaeological Significance..................................................................................................................... 59 Significance in the Wider Landscape.................................................................................................... 60 i Experiential Significance.......................................................................................................................... 61 Community Values................................................................................................................................... 65 6. Management Issues and Vulnerabilities .......................................... 67 Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 67 Condition ................................................................................................................................................... 67 General....................................................................................................................................................... 67 Buildings and Structures ......................................................................................................................... 68 Designed Landscape Features................................................................................................................ 76 Trees and Plantings.................................................................................................................................. 77 Natural Heritage....................................................................................................................................... 78 Use............................................................................................................................................................... 78 Discordant Features and Threats to the Heritage ........................................................................... 79 Constraints ................................................................................................................................................ 80 Statutory Constraints.............................................................................................................................. 80 Other Potential Constraints.................................................................................................................. 81 Gaps in Knowledge.................................................................................................................................. 81 7. Policies and Proposals....................................................................... 83 A Vision for the Castle Semple Estate................................................................................................. 83 Philosophy of Conservation................................................................................................................... 83 Conservation Management, Access and Interpretation Policies ................................................... 84 The Peel Tower........................................................................................................................................ 85 The Cascades Complex.......................................................................................................................... 87 Kenmure Hill............................................................................................................................................. 91 Parkhill ........................................................................................................................................................ 93 Estate Walls..............................................................................................................................................