GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0

 
CONTINUE READING
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
GREENWICH
PARK

CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 								   GPR_DO_17.0
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
CHAIRMAN’S
                                                           FOREWORD

                                                           Greenwich Park is England’s oldest enclosed public park,
                                                           a Grade1 listed landscape that forms two thirds of the
                                                           Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.

                                                           The parks essential character is created by its dramatic
                                                           topography juxtaposed with its grand formal landscape
                                                           design. Its sense of place draws on the magnificent views
                                                           of sky and river, the modern docklands panorama, the
                                                           City of London and the remarkable Baroque architectural
                                                           ensemble which surrounds the park and its established
                                                           associations with time and space.

                                                           Still in its 1433 boundaries, with an ancient deer herd and
                                                           a wealth of natural and historic features Greenwich Park
                                                           attracts 4.7 million visitors a year which is estimated to rise
                                                           to 6 million by 2030. We recognise that its capacity as an
                                                           internationally significant heritage site and a treasured local
                                                           space is under threat from overuse, tree diseases and a
                                                           range of infrastructural problems.

                                                           I am delighted to introduce this Greenwich Park
                                                           Conservation Plan, developed as part of the Greenwich
                                                           Park Revealed Project. The plan has been written in a new
                                                           format which we hope will reflect the importance that
                                                           we place on creating robust and thoughtful plans. Within
                                                           the plan we have set a course that we believe can address
                                                           the fundamental issues facing the site in order to satisfy
                                                           the park’s needs in the short and medium term whilst
                                                           increasing resilience for the next 100 years.
‘Greenwich is unique - a place of pilgrimage, as
                                                           My team always welcome any comments or thoughts on
increasing numbers of visitors obviously demonstrate,      our ambitious plans, we hope you join us in our vision for
                                                           this significant park.
a place for inspiration, imagination and sheer pleasure.
Majestic buildings, park, views, unseen meridian and a
wealth of history form a unified whole of international
importance. The maintenance and management of this
great place requires sensitivity and constant care.’                            Loyd Grossman CBE
                                                                                The Royal Parks Chairman

ROYAL PARKS REVIEW OF GREEWNICH PARK 1995
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
CONTENTS

                                                     PART 1                                                                                                    PART 2                                            PART 3                                                       PART 4
     FOREWORD                                        CONTEXT                                                                                                   LANDSCAPE CHARACTER                               POLICIES                                                     IMPLEMENTATION
     A message from Loyd Grossman			           iii   MANAGEMENT                                               ECOLOGICAL                                       The Significance of Greenwich Park		        77    Management                                            121    Implementation of the Management Plan                        127
                                                     Our Parks                                           11   Ecological Context                          54   Landscape Character Areas			                77    Policy                                                121    Monitoring                                                   127
                                                     The Royal Parks Context                             13   Geology and Soils				                       54   Landscape Significance			                   78    Historic                                              121    Review                                                       128
     PREFACE                                         Park Management                                     13   Hydrology, Drainage and Conduits		          54   Landscape Condition			                      79    Ecological                                            122    The Project Register                                         129
                                                     Authority to Manage                                 13   Habitats					                               56   Landscape Character Areas Assessment        79    Communal                                              123
     The Royal Parks Landscape Documents      vii    The Royal Parks Charitable Objects                  13   Species					                                58                                                     Aesthetic                                             124
     The Structure of this Plan		             viii   Designations and Compliance			                      13   Tree Pest, Disease and Invasive Species		   60   LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS                    81
     Process, Guidance & Acknowledgements		    ix    Greenwich Park Management Structure                 14   Biosecurity				                             61   Blackheath Gate                              82
                                                     Resources                                           15   Climate Change				                          61   Blackheath Avenue                            84
                                                     Engagement                                          15   Sustainability				                          62   The Giant Steps and the Parterre Banks       88   ABBREVIATIONS                                                FIGURES
                                                     Pressures                                           15                                                    The Playing Field                            90   AOD		      Acute Oak Decline                                 Fig 1      Our Landscape Documents
                                                     Risk					                                           15   COMMUNAL                                         The Queen’s Orchard                          92   BAP		      Biodiversity Action Plan                          Fig 2		    The Structure of this Plan
                                                     Safety and Security			                              16   Public Access				                    64          One Tree Hill and the Coombes                94   BAME		     Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities             Fig 3		    Location and Vision of each Royal Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 DEFRA      Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs   Fig 4		    TRP Management Structure
                                                     Leases, Licences and Concessions 		                 16   Events					                          64          Maze Hill Fields                             96   DCMS		     Department of Digital, Culture Media and Sport    Fig 5		    WHS Map
                                                     Database and Archive			                             16   Visitor Profile                      64          Great Cross Avenue                           98   ExCom      Executive Committee                               Fig 6		    Surrounding Green Spaces
iv                                                                                                            Demographics				                     65          The Flower Garden                           100   FMC		      Facilities Maintenance Contractor                 Fig 7		    Grand Axis Evolution                                          v
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 FoRP		     Friends of Greenwich Park                         Fig 8		    Park Masterplan 2018
                                                     POLICY                                                   Visitor Facilities				               66          The Wilderness                              102   FsC		      Forest Stewardship Council                        Fig 9		    Gateways and Main Routes
                                                     International and National Policies                 18   Organised and Informal Activities 		 66          The Bandstand Field                         104   FSC		      Field Studies Council                             Fig 10		   Archaeological Importance
                                                     World Heritage Site                                 18   Learning 		                          66          Ranger’s Field                              106   GiGL		     Greenspace Information for Greater London         Fig 11		   Underlying Geology
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 GIS		      Geographical Information Systems                  Fig 12		   Broad Habitats
                                                     International and National Designations             18   Community Volunteering               67          The Rose Garden                             108   GLA 		     Greater London Authority                          Fig 13		   Plan of Local Boroughs
                                                     Strategic Planning Advice 			                       19   Community Engagement				             67          The Reservoir Field                         110   HLF		      Heritage Lottery Fund                             Fig 14		   Key Views
                                                     Local Planning Policies and Designations            19                                                    Croom’s Hill and the Anglo-Saxon Cemetery   112   LLTIs 		   Limiting Long-term Illness and Disability         Fig 15		   Topography
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 LMC		      Landscape Maintenance Contractor                  Fig 16		   Assessment of Landscape Character Areas
                                                     TRP Strategies, Plans, Policies and Regulations		   20   AESTHETIC                                        Castle Hill and the Observatory Garden      114   LSOAs		    Lower Super Output Areas                          Fig 17		   Significance Diagram
                                                                                                              Views					      70                               St Mary’s Fields                            116   LUC		      Land Use Consultant’s                             Fig 18		   Significance Vs. Condition Matrix
                                                     HISTORIC                                                 Topography      72                               The Nursery Yard                            118   MGWHS      Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site            Fig 19		   Greenwich Park Character Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 NERC		     Natural Environment and Rural Communities
                                                     The Evolution of the Park’s Layout                  24   Lighting					   73                               			                                               NNR 		     National Nature Reserve
                                                     Greenwich Park Timeline                             28   Horticulture
                                                                                                                              73                                                                                 NVC        National Vegetation Classification
                                                     Cultural Significance                               46   Wellbeing       74                                                                                 OCGW       Oriental Chestnut Gall Wasp
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 OPM		      Oak Processionary Moth
                                                     Monuments and Main Artefacts 			                    46   			                                                                                                ROSPA      Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
                                                     Archaeology 		                                      46                                                                                                      RPWG       Greenwich Park Wildlife Group                     APPENDICES
                                                     Boundaries and Gates			                             47                                                                                                      SAC		      Special Area of Conservation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 TfL		      Transport for London                              Appendix 1: Selected Bibliography and References
                                                     Furniture and Signage			                            48                                                                                                      TRP 		     The Royal Parks                                   Appendix 2: Listed Buildings not managed by TRP
                                                     Road and Path Network			                            48                                                                                                      TRP OCU    The Royal Parks Operational Command Unit          Appendix 3: Map of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site
                                                     Buildings and Structures			                         49                                                                                                      		         (Metropolitan Police)                             Appendix 4: Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 WFD		      Water Framework Directive
                                                     			                                                                                                                                                         WW1		      World War One
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 WWII		     World War Two
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
TRP
                                                                                              STRATEGIC
              THE ROYAL PARKS                                                                   PLAN
              LANDSCAPE DOCUMENTS

              THE ROYAL PARKS LANDSCAPE STRATEGY

              ‘Who’ are we... ‘why’ we manage the way we do
              The Landscape Strategy is a public document which sets
              out The Royal Park’s (TRP) overarching ethos and principles
              regarding landscape management. It sets the parks within their                      TRP
              London context and presents their importance.                                   LANDSCAPE
                                                                                               STRATEGY
              PARK CONSERVATION PLAN

              ‘What’ we will do... ‘what’ we want to do
              The Conservation Plan is a 10 year plan which facilitates
              effective park management. The plan is strategic in nature,
              setting out the 100 year vision for the park and the broad
              objectives which will guide its management.
6                                                                                                                                    7vii
    PREFACE   PARK MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PLAN                             EXECUTIVE
                                                                               SUMMARY
                                                                                                 PARK
                                                                                             CONSERVATION
              ‘What we deliver... ‘when’, ‘who’ and ‘how’                                       PLAN
              The Management and Maintenance Plan is prepared every
              year as the working document for the management of the
              park. It contains the park’s annual Action Plan and Park
              Business Plan while also records progress made in the
              previous year.

                                                                                                 PARK
                                                                                             MANAGEMENT
                                                                               GREEN FLAG/                  PARK BUSINESS
                                                                                                 AND
                                                                                HERITAGE                        PLAN
                                                                                             MAINTENANCE
                                                                                                 PLAN

                                                                                                                     < fig 1.
                                                                                                                     OUR LANDSCAPE
                                                                                               DELIVERY              DOCUMENTS
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
THE STRUCTURE OF THIS PLAN                                       PROCESS                                                            GUIDANCE                                                      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
                                 HISTORIC                                                                                                       The development of the Greenwich Conservation Plan has             Particular reference was made to government publications      Ths plan has been prepared by TRP, namely:
                                                                               PART 1 - CONTEXT                                                 been a collaborative process which began with formulating          and documents, the European Landscape Convention
                                                                               TRP’s view the park’s landscape as one which has been            a new simple framework which required a re-think of the            guidance documents, Natural England publications, Land Use    Graham Dear - Park Manager
                                                                               developed over many years by natural processes and layers        existing document. The Landscape Management Officer led            Consultant’s (LUC) ‘Greenwich Park Historical Survey 1984’,   Michael Loughnane - Assistant Park Manager
                                                                               of human interaction. This section brings together key           a series of focused workshops which involved the Greenwich         The Maritme Greenwich World Heritage Site Management          Jane Pelly - Head of Landscape
                ECOLOGICAL                      AESTHETIC                      information required to understand the shaping of the park       Park Management, Landscape, Ecology and Arboriculture              Plan and the Heritage Lottery Fund Conservation Plan          Alex Ioannou - Landscape Management Officer (lead)
                                                                               we manage today.                                                 Teams. Within these workshops we began trialling a new             Guidance.                                                     Ian Rodger - Arboricultural Officer
                                                                                                                                                methodology and process to generate and agree on future                                                                          Alister Hayes - Head of Programmes, Volunteering & Conservation
                               CONTEXT                                         PART 2 - LANDSCAPE CHARACTER                                     management priorities and policies.                                Our approach to assessing heritage values and significance    Richard Flenley - Consultant
                                                                               The park is recognised as an entity in its own right with its                                                                       was guided by the methodology set out in Conservation
                                                                               own character. In this section the park is broken down into      A series of targeted consultation events allowed TRP               Principles, Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable         We are particularly grateful to Friends, neighbours, interest
                  COMMUNAL                    MANAGEMENT                       Landscape Character Areas. These character areas are a tool      to present and test our proposals to the Friends Group             Management of the Historic Environment, English Heritage      groups and organisations who have participated in the
                                                                               for understanding and subsequently helping to determine the      and external specialists incorporating their knowledge             2008 (Historic England).                                      process - through workshops, events and meetings - to inform
                                                                               management priorities for each distinctive area of the park.     and expertise.                                                                                                                   and shape the plan.
        1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   In assessing landscape condition, reference was made to
                                                                               PART 3 - POLICIES                                                A survey was conducted to discover the Friends, volunteers         the Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental
                                                                               This section builds on the identification of opportunities       and special interest groups perceptions of ‘what is individually   Management & Assessment (2013), Guidelines for Landscape
                                                                               and priorities set out in part 2. It brings these together to    valued’ within Greenwich Park.                                     and Visual Impact Assessment and An Approach to Landscape
                                                                               articulate policies for the park’s management as a whole.                                                                           Character Assessment - October 2014, Christine Tudor,
                               LANDSCAPE                                                                                                        An internal draft was circulated to all Heads of Departments,      Natural England.
viii8       SIGNIFICANCE
                               CHARACTER
                                                  CONDITION                    PART 4 - IMPLEMENTATION                                          our Heritage Lottery Fund Mentor and specialist TRP staff                                                                                                                                          9ix
                                                                               This section describes the main mechanisms for                   members. The draft was then approved by the Landscape
                                                                               monitoring and reviewing the delivery of the Conservation        Portfolio Board, Project Board and the Executive Committee
                                                                               Plan’s priorities and policies.                                  (Excom) along with the Board of Trustees of the new charity.
        2
                                                                               It includes the Project Register a dynamic and active            A final draft was shared with Natural England and
                                                                               component that combines the Character Area Priorities,           Historic England.
                                                                               developed in part 2, and the park wide policies, developed
                                                                               in part 3. The Project Register identifies and lists potential
            CHARACTER                                 PARK
                                                                               projects which TRP aim to develop and deliver over the next
              AREAS
                                POLICIES              WIDE                     decade subject to availability of resources.

        3

            MONITORING                              PROJECT
             & REVIEW
                             IMPLEMENTATION         REGISTER

                                                               < fig 2.
                                                               THE STRUCTURE
        4                                                      OF THIS PLAN
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
1: CONTEXT   2: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER   3: OUR POLICIES                                          4: IMPLEMENTATION

                                                                                                 OUR PARKS                                                                                                                    3. THE REGENT’S PARK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              AND PRIMROSE HILL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ‘To conserve the historic parkland
                                                                                                       1. KENSINGTON GARDENS                                                                                                  with its unique regency setting
                                                                                                       ‘To protect and enhance Kensington                                                                                     offering a broad range of opportunities
                                                                                                                                               2. HYDE PARK                                                                   for sport, wellbeing and culture while
                                                                                                       Gardens’ rich landscape heritage, its                                                                3.
                                                                                                       royal associations, its connections     ‘To balance the need between                                                   enhancing the quality and diversity of
                                                                                                       with children, with wildlife and with   conserving the historic landscape and                                          wildlife habitats.’
                                                                                                       the creative culture of arts.’          meeting the demands of current and
                                                                                                                                               potential visitors and popular events.
                                                                                                                                               To respect the vernacular elements of
                                                                                                                                               built and natural heritage, boast fine
                                                                                                                                               horticulture and be a refuge for a                1.    2.          4.
                                                                                                                                               diverse and well protected wildlife.’
                                                                                                 7. RICHMOND PARK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         A.
                                                                                                 ‘To protect, conserve and enhance the
     PART 1                                                                                      deer park’s significant landscape as a
                                                                                                 National Nature Reserve, stewarding
                                                                                                                                                                                            5.
                                                                                                 the balance between its wildlife,                                                                                            4. ST JAMES’S PARK
                                                                                                 history and visitor enjoyment.’                                                                                              AND THE GREEN PARK
10                                                                                                                                                                                                                            ‘To respect the historic landscape of the                  6.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         5.             11
     CONTEXT                                                                                                                                                                                                                  formal seventeenth century layout that
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              characterises the outer park. Conserve
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              the picturesque landscape of the inner
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              park, providing the setting for national
                                                                                                                                                                                 5. BROMPTON CEMETERY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ceremonial events and be a green haven in
                                                                                                                                                                                 ‘To celebrate one of the great and most      the heart of London.’
                                                                                                                                                                                 intact Garden Cemeteries of the mid-19th
                                                                                                                                                                                 Century. To conserve its environment
                                                                                                                                                                                 and built heritage while providing much                          6. GREENWICH PARK
     The Royal Parks view the park’s landscape as one                                            B.
                                                                                                                                                7.
     which has been developed over many years by natural                                                                                                                         needed facilities and improving public                           ‘To respect the essential layout of the
     processes and layers of human interaction. In this                                                                                                                          access.’                                                         seventeenth century avenues, the
     part we bring together key information required to                                                                                                                                                                                           juxtaposition of the dramatic landscape
     understand the shaping of the park we manage today.                                                                                                                                                                                          with the more irregular landform and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  the iconic setting of the World Heritage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Site. Conserve its distinctive grasslands,
                                                                                                                                                  8. BUSHY PARK                                                                                   areas of fine horticultural display and
                                                                                                                        8.                        ‘To protect and conserve the historic                                                           the formal and informal settings for local
                                                                                                                                                  layout, avenues and character of the deer                                                       and international visitors.’
                                                                                                                                                  park. To ensure its diverse population of
                                                                                                                                                  trees, its open grasslands, wood pasture,            WE ALSO MANAGE:                                                                 < fig 3.
                                                                                                                                                  woodlands, waterways are enhanced for                                                                                                LOCATION AND
                                                                                                                                                                                                       A. VICTORIA TOWER GARDENS
                                                                                                                                                  wildlife and the enjoyment of its visitors.’                                                                                         VISION OF EACH
                                                                                                                                                                                                       B. THE LONGFORD RIVER                                                           ROYAL PARK
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
1: CONTEXT   2: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER   3: OUR POLICIES                                                  4: IMPLEMENTATION

                                                                                                            THE ROYAL PARKS CONTEXT                                           THE ROYAL PARKS CHARITABLE OBJECTS

                                                                                                            The Royal Parks comprise St. James’s Park, The Green Park,        •   To protect, conserve, maintain and care for the Royal
                                                                                                            Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and The Regent’s Park with              Parks, including their natural and designed landscapes
                                                                                                            Primrose Hill in inner London. Greenwich Park, Bushy Park             and built environment, to a high standard consistent
                                                                                                            and Richmond Park are linked to historic royal river palaces          with their historic, horticultural, environmental and
                                                                                                            along the Thames in outer London.                                     architectural importance;

                                                                                                            Greenwich Park occupies some 75 ha (186 acres) located            •   To promote the use and enjoyment of the Royal Parks
                                                                                                            on the river terraces and steep escarpment overlooking the            for public recreation, health and wellbeing including
                                                                                                            Thames on the south east side of London.                              through the provision of sporting and cultural activities
                                                                                                                                                                                  and events which effectively advance the objects;

                                                                                                            PARK MANAGEMENT                                                   •   To maintain and develop the biodiversity of the
                                                                                                                                                                                  Royal Parks, including the protection of their wildlife
                                                                                                            Park management for a large multifaceted site like Greenwich          and natural environment, together with promoting
                                                                                                            Park is complex. It involves allocating resources and balancing       sustainability in the management and use of the
                                                             MANAGEMENT                                     the requirements of visitors, heritage and conservation.              Royal Parks;
                                                              CONTEXT                                                                                                         •   To support the advancement of education by promoting
                                                                                                            AUTHORITY TO MANAGE                                                   public understanding of the history, culture, heritage and
                                            This section outlines the management context which                                                                                    natural environment of the Royal Parks and (by way of
12                                          enables us to deliver our set purpose.                          The parks are owned by the Crown with their responsibility            comparison) elsewhere;                                       13
                                                                                                            resting with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media
                                            ‘To manage the Royal Parks effectively and efficiently,         and Sport (DCMS). TRP charity manages the parks on behalf         •   To promote national heritage including by hosting and
                                            balancing the responsibility to conserve and enhance the        of the government.                                                    facilitating ceremonies of state or of national importance
                                            unique environments with creative policies to encourage                                                                               within and in the vicinity of the Royal Parks.
                                            access and to increase opportunities for enjoyment education,   TRP is led by a Board of Trustees, which decides how the
                                            entertainment and healthy recreation.’                          charity is run, how we spend money and ensures what we do
                                                                                                            is for the benefit of the parks and our visitors. The trustees    DESIGNATIONS AND COMPLIANCE
                                                                                                            are led by a Chairman, and are appointed for their skills
                                                                                                            and experience. Alongside some ex-officio roles, others are       Greenwich Park is listed Grade 1 on the Historic England
                                                                                                            appointed by the Secretary of State for the DCMS and the          Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, forms part of the
                                                                                                            Greater London Authority (GLA). They are non-executive            Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site and is designated
                                                                                                            and unpaid.                                                       within Greenwich Park conservation Area in the Royal
                                                                                                                                                                              Borough of Greenwich local plan.
                                                                                                            The senior management team oversees the day-to-day
                                                                                                            running of the Royal Parks. Led by a chief executive, the         Management of the park needs to comply with statutory
                                                                                                            team recommend parks’ policy and strategy to the Board            legislation relevant to these designations.
                                                                                                            of Trustees, as well as managing an expert and committed
                                                                                                            workforce of staff and volunteers dedicated to offering free
                                                                                                            open space in London.
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
1: CONTEXT                                          2: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER                                          3: OUR POLICIES                                                  4: IMPLEMENTATION

     GREENWICH PARK                                                                                                                                                                        RESOURCES                                                        ENGAGEMENT                                                             phyto security measures are forcing TRP to source previously
     MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          imported plant material within the UK, increasing costs.
                                                                                                                                                                                           In March 2017 TRP charity was created and officially launched    Park users work with park staff through stakeholder groups             Certain recreation trends can pose problems and challenges.
     Park Manager                                                                                                            CHIEF                                                         in July 2017. We took over the role of managing the parks        such as; The Friends of Greenwich Park, The Greenwich                  Increasing popularity of dog ownership, 25% adults now own
     Is responsible for the overall strategic and optimal                                                                  EXECUTIVE                                                       from The Royal Parks Agency – a former executive agency of       Society, the Blackheath Society, the Westcombe Society and             a dog which has increased the user pressure from this sector
     management of the park. They are responsible for managing                                                                                                                             the DCMS, as well as fundraising and some education from         the Safer Parks Panel.                                                 on the park.
     stakeholder and local planning authority relationships, and                                                                                                                           the Royal Parks Foundation. The two organisations joined
     approving all commercial and non-commercial contracts. They                                                                                                                           forces to create our charity and bring together the best of      Park Management consult various stakeholder groups about               The use of social media makes it much easier for visitors to
     play an important role in identifying projects and potential                                                                                                                          fundraising, education and park management.                      specific projects and routine work within the park through             meet up and organise events. This can be a good thing but
     development/restoration work, securing funding as required                                                                                                                                                                                             organised consultation events, quarterly stakeholder meetings          can also involve an increase in unlicensed activity which is
     from internal Royal Parks’ funds and external funding agencies.                                                                     HEAD OF                                           The new Royal Parks charity is expected to become largely        and welcomed ongoing communication.                                    difficult to manage e.g doggy meet ups which receive over
                                                                                                                DIRECTOR
                                                                                                                OF PARKS
                                                                                                                                       PARK SERVICES                                       self-financing over time as the proportion of government aid                                                                            100 attendants.
                                                                                                                                         AND SPM
     Assistant Park Managers                                                                                                                                                               continues to decline. The gap in funding has been covered by     Park management is aware that frustrations can sometime
     Provide support for the Park Manager and are in regular            RESOURCES                                                                                                          developing other revenue streams such as; catering, filming      occur when complex issues cannot be resolved particularly if           Traffic congestion in the car park at weekends is a major
     direct communication with the maintenance contractors,                                                                                                                                and events. This has been challenging but so far successful.     resolutions and resources are difficult to identify. In addition,      problem and damages visitor experience for all park users.
     pre-planning and adjusting programmes of work. They                                                                                                                                   In the same period maintenance expenditure has remained          stakeholders priorities are not necessarily always aligned             Increasing numbers of commuter cyclists and dog walkers
     are involved in building relationships with stakeholders                                                                                                                              constant whilst visitor numbers are increasing.                  either with TRP or each other.                                         leads to conflict.
     and working with volunteers. They oversee practical                                                          PARK
                                                                                                                                                             HEALTH
                                                                       FUNDRAISING                                                                            AND           LANDSCAPE
     implementation of management and maintenance works                                                         MANAGER                                                                    Grants are incredibly valuable, usually for specific projects                                                                           In the longer term the impact of climate change on the
                                                                          AND                                                                                SAFETY
     and carry out inspections, quality checks and assess the          ENGAGEMENT                                                                                                          such as the Greenwich Park Revealed project. Grant funding       PRESSURES                                                              park environment includes extreme weather conditions and
     service levels of the day to day operations.                                      PROGRAMMES,                                                                                         from sources such as the HLF comes with certain criteria                                                                                increase threats of pests and diseases.
                                                                                      VOLUNTEERING                                                                                         and some priorities of awarding bodies can differ from the       Visitors to the park have increased 2-fold in the past 10 years
14   Park Services Team, Ecology Team, Additional Directorates                            AND                                                                      PARK SERVICES
                                                                                                                                                                                           priorities of TRP.                                               and 4 fold in the past 25 years. Results show that the total                                                                                  15
                                                                                      CONSERVATION
     The various TRP directorates provide technical and specialist                                                                                                                                                                                          number of visits to Greenwich in 2014 was in the region of             RISK
     skills and support to the Park Management Team. The teams         COMMERCIAL                                               ASSISTANT                                                  All the Royal Parks, including Greenwich Park are endowed        4.7 million. The park is highly valued by visitors and provides
     work closely together to ensure that any actions within the                                                                  PARK                    SUSTAINABILITY   ARBORICULTURE   with built assets that are managed to provide reliable           many benefits to many people by improving wellbeing and                The Board of Trustees reviews strategic risks and the Park
     parks are done to the highest quality and sensitivity.                                                                     MANAGER                                                    endowments and long-term income streams. The park now            quality of life that cannot be overstated.                             Management Team annually review risk as part of its annual
                                                                                                                                                                                           hosts two mass participation events annually; the London                                                                                business planning cycle. This plan addresses landscape
     Landscape Maintenance Contractors (LMC)                                                                                                                                               marathon and the BIG Half Marathon Festival. These are well      Greater London Authority Population Projections estimate               risks by careful articulation of aims and opportunities, by
     Landscape and tree maintenance is undertaken                        ESTATES
                                                                                                                                                                                           received by visitors and residents. The filming industry often   that the boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham and Tower                     consideration of significance and condition, and by expressing
     by contractors under the direction of the park                       AND                                                                                                              use the park as a location and locate unit bases in the car      Hamlets will see an increase of 235,200 persons between                priorities. Addressing risk is built in to this plan by including
     management team.                                                   PROJECTS                                                                                                           parks. The two park residential lodges are let at market rents   2019 and 2050. This will make the existing open space                  them as ‘main challenges’ under each section.
                                                                                                                 OFFICE
                                                                                                                               TECHNICAL                                                   providing a sustainable income stream.                           increasingly valuable. The way in which people use outdoor
     Facilities Maintenance Contractor (FMC)                                                                    MANAGER
                                                                                                                               ASSISTANT                                                                                                                    space is changing too. Visitors eat outdoors and picnic more.          Main Challenges:
                                                                                                                                  HLF
     Is responsible for the maintenance of the hard landscape                                                                                                                              As a charity TRP are now better placed to explore and            It is even possible to have food delivered to the park using           To work with all contractors, stakeholders, partners and external
     areas of the park, services and buildings maintenance. Routine                                                                                                                        develop the roles of volunteering, philanthropy and charitable   facilities such as Deliveroo. There are increasing amounts             bodies to ensure the effective minimising of risk at every stage
     repairs and maintenance are covered under the contract.                                                                                                                               fund raising.                                                    of refuse to be collected by the grounds contractor and                of management operations by taking actions to address, reduce,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            increasing number of bottles and disposable coffee cups.               mitigate or tolerate risk.
     Other important contracts include the gate locking, catering                                                                                                                          Staffing
     concessions, car parking and toilet maintenance contracts.            STUDENT        ASSISTANT                                                                                        There are currently four members of TRP staff, with all          Pest and diseases are having a major impact on the                     To be pro-actively ‘horizon scanning’ for possible and future risks.
                                                                                                       PACE                               LANDSCAPE      FACILITIES
                                                                          LANDSCAPE        PROJECT              ADMIN
                                                                          ARCHITECT        OFFICER
                                                                                                      OFFICER   OFFICER
                                                                                                                                         MAINTENANCE   MAINTENANCE                         other activities contracted out e.g. grounds maintenance,        horticultural landscape. Since 2000 the advent of bleeding
                                                                                                        HLF                              CONTRACTOR    CONTRACTOR
     Main Challenges:                                                        HLF             HLF                                                                                           building maintenance, cleaning, toilet attendants, car parking   canker of horse chestnut has seen a large number of the
     To manage the park effectively within the economic and human                                                                                                                          and catering. TRP provide an apprentice gardener scheme in       parks mature horse chestnut trees die. Oak processionary
     resource constraints whilst at the same time managing visitor                                                                                                                         partnership with the grounds contractor to help train and        moth is another example of a new pest species which
                                                                                                                                                                 < fig 4.
     numbers that are set to increase.                                                                                                                                                     retain a skilled workforce.                                      needs to be controlled for public health reasons and incurs
                                                                                                                                                                 TRP MANAGEMENT
                                                                                                                                                                 STRUCTURE                                                                                  significant costs for TRP. The latter is a financial pressure. Plant
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
1: CONTEXT                                                         2: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER   3: OUR POLICIES   4: IMPLEMENTATION

     SAFETY AND SECURITY                                                      fees are paid. The residents are responsible for the
                                                                              maintenance of doors and gates.
     Greenwich Park, like the other Royal Parks, is policed by a
     dedicated unit of the Metropolitan Police Service, based in         •    The catering concessions are licensed to specialist                                                                          ‘“Landscape management”
     the park. There is a Memorandum of Understanding between
     the police and TRP which sets out policing priorities across
                                                                              caterers. The tennis courts are licensed to Will to Win.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           means action, from a perspective
     the estate.                                                         Main Challenges:
                                                                         In the 2018 Ipsos MORI visitor survey 32% of visitors aren’t                                                                      of sustainable development, to
     At the present time Greenwich Park does not suffer from
     significant levels of serious crime, and the nature of offences
                                                                         aware that Greenwich is managed by TRP but believe it is
                                                                         managed by the local authority/council.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           ensure the regular upkeep of a
     and disturbances is not, in the main, of serious consequence
     (although there are of course exceptions).
                                                                                                                                                                                                           landscape, so as to guide and
     Main Challenges:
                                                                         DATABASE AND ARCHIVE                                                                                                              harmonise changes which are
     Like all areas of the MET Police Service, Greenwich Park has seen   TRP use CONFIRM software to manage the grounds                                                                                    brought about by social, economic
     a reduction in its level of policing.                               maintenance contract. Data is held in the CONFIRM database.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           and environmental processes.’
     With the increasing visitor numbers park managers need to pro-      The ‘Arbortrack’ database is TRP’s arboricultural risk
     actively find ways of communicating Park Regulations as well as     management system. The system allows tree data to be
     educating visitors with regard to acceptable behaviour.             stored electronically and linked to a mapping system which is                                                                     EUROPEAN LANDSCAPE CONVENTION
                                                                         compatible with Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
16   LEASES, LICENCES AND CONCESSIONS                                    TRP works in partnership with Greenspace Information for                                                                                                              17
                                                                         Greater London (GiGL), to set up and manage a biological
     A number of leases, licences and concessions are in effect          recording system which holds accurate and validated data on
     in the parks through which areas of land or specific facilities     species and habitats and environmental information for all of
     are controlled by bodies other than TRP or responsibility is        the Royal Parks.
     shared. These include:
                                                                         Main Challenges:
     •    The Royal Observatory Greenwich buildings and land             Data monitoring is especially important to better inform
          in the centre of the park comprising Flamsteed House,          management practice and to help meet TRP’s statutory
          Meridian Building and Courtyard, Great Equatorial              obligations to biodiversity conservation.
          Building, Altazimuth Pavilion, South Building, Yuri Gagarin
          Café Terrace, Peter Harrison Planetarium and Terrace are       IT investment needed in GIS system to give comprehensive
          managed by the Royal Museums Greenwich.                        mapping of services; trees; ecology; furniture & artefacts; hard
                                                                         works and soft works features.
     •    The Reservoir on the plateau near Croom’s Hill was
          built in 1845 for firefighting purposes and covered over
          in 1871. The structure is licensed to Thames Water.

     •    Two residential Lodges under private lease, are located
          within the park, Blackheath Gate Lodge and Vanbrugh
          Gate Lodge.

     •    There are four licensed openings into the park from
          adjacent properties in Maze Hill for which annual
GREENWICH PARK - CONSERVATION PLAN 2019-2029 GPR_DO_17.0
PART 2: DESCRIPTION AND SIGNIFICANCE

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2.1 Map of the  World Heritage Site (Map 1)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site Management Plan Third Review 2014

                                                                     1: CONTEXT                                                           2: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER                                              3: OUR POLICIES                                                   4: IMPLEMENTATION
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          PART 2: DESCRIPTION AND SIGNIFICANCE

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2.1 Map of the World Heritage Site (Map 1)

                                                                     INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL POLICIES                                  WORLD HERITAGE SITE                                                 The Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England             Main Challenges:
                                                                                                                                                                                                              (RCHME) Survey                                                    Wide range of regional strategies and plans that must
                                                                     There are a wide range of designations and policies, which           The whole park, neighbouring properties and part of                 A detailed archaeological survey within the park has been         be considered and, where applicable, implemented when
                                                                     influence the management of Greenwich Park. TRP has                  Greenwich town centre were inscribed onto UNESCO’s                  undertaken, which reported in 1994 (RCHME. 1994.                  determining management policies and guidelines including
                                                                     statutory duties with regard to the following:                       World Heritage List in 1997. The location of the WHS and its        Greenwich Park: An Archaeological Survey – published in           biodiversity and views.
                                                                                                                                          boundaries are shown in Apendix 3.                                  two volumes). On the basis of this study, the whole park is
                                                                     •    Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC)                                                                                    considered to have high archaeological potential.                 Though not protected by statute the panoramic views of the City,
                                                                          Act 2006 Part 3 S.40: “Every public authority must, in          TRP is a World Heritage Site Executive partner who forms                                                                              World Heritage Site and Canary Wharf, as well as short distance
                                                                          exercising its functions, have regard . . . to the purpose of   part of the Partnership that meets annually (usually in March)                                                                        views to and from the park, should be considered particularly
                                                                          conserving biodiversity.                                        and in accordance with its terms of reference works to              STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVICE                                         within the setting of the World Heritage Site.
                                                                                                                                          uphold the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Site
                                                                     •    Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981 as amended),                   and promote Maritime Greenwich at local, national and               The London Plan 2016 (consolidated with alterations since
                                                                          particularly in relation to management that may affect          international levels.                                               2011) is the overall strategic plan for London, and it sets out   LOCAL PLANNING POLICIES AND DESIGNATIONS
                                                                          protected species.                                                                                                                  a fully integrated economic, environmental, transport and
                                                                                                                                          TRP is committed to working to uphold the nine overarching          social framework for the development of the capital over the      Greenwich Park is Crown Land and TRP complies with
                                                                     •    Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000 Became                     goals and number of key objectives set out in the Maritime          next 20-25 years. It forms part of the development plan for       standard procedures and local authority planning policies.
                                                                          part of UK Law in 2003 and requires all water bodies            Greenwich Management Plan for the protection, conservation          Greater London. London boroughs’ local plans need to be
                                                                          to reach “Good Ecological Status” (GES) or for artificial       and management of the Site.                                         in general conformity with the London Plan, and its policies      Greenwich Park is wholly within the Royal Borough of
                            POLICY                                        or heavily modified water bodies “Good Ecological
                                                                          Potential” (GEP) by 2015, 2021 or 2027 depending on             The latest The Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site
                                                                                                                                                                                                              guide decisions on planning applications by councils and the
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Mayor. On 13 August 2018 the Mayor of London published a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Greenwich. The boundary with the adjacent London Borough
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                of Lewisham runs across Blackheath, just to the south of
                                                                          feasibility. The objective of GEP is similar to good status     Management Plan can be found by following the link:                 version of the new draft London Plan that includes his minor      the park. The statutory policies relating to the area within
     This section describes the key national, regional                    but takes into account the constraints imposed by social        http://www.greenwichworldheritage.org/about/management-plan         suggested changes.                                                Greenwich are contained within Royal Greenwich Local
18   and local designations, policies and strategies which provide        and/or economic uses. The objective is to achieve GEP                                                                                                                                                 Plan: Core Strategy with Detailed Policies (July 2014). The                                                                                  ^ fig 5.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            19
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              	
  
     the strategic policy framework for the management of                 by 2027. As a public body, TRP is required to give due                                                                              Greenwich Park is one of the smaller Royal Parks in London        Borough is required to refer to TRP in the case of all planning                                                                              WORLD HERITAGE
     Greenwich Park                                                       consideration to the aims of the WFD in any works they          NATIONAL DESIGNATIONS                                               with a total area of 75 hectares. However it is considered to     applications within 800 metres of the park boundary, which                                                                                   SITE MAP
                                                                          carry out that may impact on water bodies. Proposed                                                                                 be the largest green open space in central south-east London      have potential to impact the park amenities.
                                                                          works must be assessed to ensure that the requirements          Historic England: Register of Parks and Gardens of Historic         and is designated as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for                                                                           	
  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     	
  
                                                                          of the WFD are met, i.e. that the proposed modification:        Interest                                                            Nature Conservation. It contains ancient parkland with trees,     Conservation and Heritage                                                                                           9

                                                                          i) does not deteriorate water body status ‘no                   Greenwich Park is listed on Historic England’s Register of          small woodlands managed as bird sanctuaries, a lake and           Greenwich Park is designated Greenwich Park Conservation                                                                       	
  
                                                                          deterioration’                                                  Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. It is categorised   several ponds.                                                    Area. Other Conservation Areas adjacent to the park
                                                                          ii) will not compromise the successful implementation of        as Grade 1 entry; that is, of exceptional historic interest.                                                                          include Blackheath & Blackheath Park Conservation Area,                   	
  
                                                                          improvement measures; and                                                                                                           London Environment Strategy 2018                                  West Greenwich Conservation Area, and Westcombe Park                                                                    9
                                                                          iii) that WFD objectives will still be achieved. In order to    Scheduled Monument                                                  This is the first strategy to bring together approaches to        Conservation Area. The Royal Greenwich Local Plan Core                                                                                	
  
                                                                          achieve good ecological potential a number of measures          The Anglo Saxon barrow cemetery on Croom’s Hill and the             every aspect of London’s environment, integrating the             Strategy with Detailed Policies lists policies under section 4.4
                                                                          and actions need to be implemented to mitigate against          Romano-Celtic temple near Maze Hill Gate are designated             following areas:                                                  covering aspects of Design and Heritage, and under section                       LISTED BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Table 1.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ^
                                                                          the effects of the high level of modification in this water     a Scheduled Monument. The Royal Observatory (within the             •     air quality                                                 4.5 lists policies regarding Open Space.
                                                                          body (see Annexes B and C of the RBMP).                         park) and the Queen’s House (outside the park) are also are         •     green infrastructure                                                                                                                         The Standard Reservoir/Conduit House                             II*
                                                                          http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/                  designated a Scheduled Monument.                                    •     climate change mitigation and energy                        Designated London Panorama
                                                                          planning/125035.aspx                                                                                                                •     waste                                                       The London Panorama located within Greenwich Park is                             St Mary’s Gate                                                   II
                                                                                                                                          Greater London Sites and Monuments Record (GLSMR)                   •     adapting to climate change                                  designated and has St Paul’s Cathedral as its focus.                             Conduit Head                                                     II
                                                                     •    Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act                  The GLSMR contains numerous entries relating to Greenwich           •     ambient noise
                                                                          1979 Conservation of historic buildings and monuments:          Park. These include the conduits, evidence of the pre-              •     low carbon circular economy                                 There is one viewing location, 5A, within Greenwich Park                         The Bandstand                                                    II
                                                                          TRP is obligated to put in place measures to protect and        emparkment agricultural landscape in the form of ridge and                                                                            that includes two Assessment Points. The view from Wolfe                         The Boundary Wall (several sections)                             II
                                                                          conserve its buildings, monuments, sites and landscapes         furrow, the extant monuments and structures, track-ways and         National Planning Policy Framework                                Statue, at Assessment Point 5A.1, takes in the formal, axial
                                                                          of historic interest and to regulate operations or              Roman routes and structures relating to World War II.               This was updated on 19 February 2019 and provides a               arrangement between Greenwich Palace, and the Queen’s                            General Wolfe Statue                                             II
                                                                          activities affecting them.                                                                                                          framework within which this plan was produced.                    House. The view also includes Greenwich Reach and the                            St Mary’s Lodge                                                  II
1: CONTEXT                                                           2: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER                                             3: OUR POLICIES                                                    4: IMPLEMENTATION

     tall buildings on the Isle of Dogs. The eastern extent of the      DH(h) Conservation Areas                                             DH(j) Locally Listed Buildings                                     TRP STRATEGIES, PLANS, POLICIES AND                                                                                      CANARY WHARF

     panorama is towards central London and St Paul’s Cathedral.        Planning permission will only be granted for proposals               In considering proposals affecting buildings on the                REGULATIONS                                                                                                                              Jubilee

     This is best seen from Assessment Point 5A.2, and includes a       which pay special attention to preserving or enhancing               Local List of Buildings of Architectural or Historic                                                                                                                                     HERON QUAYS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             NORTH
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           GREENWICH                                        WEST SILVERTOWN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     LONDON CITY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       AIRPORT

     Protected Vista towards the Cathedral.                             the character or appearance of the Conservation Area.                Interest, substantial weight will be given to protecting           Greenwich Park’s management is guided by mainly:                                                                                                                                                                                                                              PONTOON DOCK

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Thames Barrier
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    KING GEORGE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         V

                                                                        The local scale, the established pattern of development              and conserving the particular characteristics that account                                                                                                                                                        SOUTH QUAY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Lyle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Park

     The panorama is highly valued because it makes a                   and landscape, building form and materials will all be taken         for their designation. Consequently, proposals for the             •    Greenwich Park Management Plan 2015-2020
     significant contribution to people’s ability to understand         into account. Development on sites in the vicinity of a              demolition or unsympathetic alteration of locally listed           •    Greenwich Park Avenues Restoration Strategy 2016
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Central
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Park

     and appreciate London as a whole. It allows a viewer to see        Conservation Area and which would have a visual effect on            buildings will be strongly discouraged.                            •    TRP strategies, regulations, legislation and policies which                                                                                    CROSSHARBOUR

     significant historic and cultural landmarks in their landscape     its character or appearance, should respect the setting of that                                                                              are listed on our website:                                                                                                                                                                                                 Ecology
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Park

     or townscape setting and to understand the relationship            area. Demolition of buildings and structures that positively                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Mudchute
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Park

     between them.                                                      contribute to the character or appearance of a Conservation          Open Space and Nature Conservation                                 https://www.royalparks.org.uk/managing-the-parks/park-
                                                                        Area will be resisted.                                               The park is designated as Metropolitan Open Land                   regulations-legislation-and-policies                                                                                                                 MUDCHUTE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Millwall
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Maryon Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      WOOLWICH
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      DOCKYARD

                                                                                                                                             (Policy OS2 Metropolitan Open Land) and also as a                                                                                                                                                                                  ISLAND GARDENS

                                                                        DH(i) Statutory Listed Buildings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Pepy’s

     Royal Greenwich Local Plan                                                                                                              Site of Metropolitan Importance for nature conservation                                                                                           Park

     contains the following pertinent policies (extracts given here):   i) Protection of Listed Buildings                                    (Table 12: Site NC6, Policy OS4 Biodiversity). The                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          CHARLTON

                                                                        There will be a presumption in favour of the preservation of         park has been identified as falling within an ‘Area of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Maryon Wilson
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Park

     DH3 Heritage Assets                                                listed buildings. Listed building consent will only be granted for   High Archaeological Potential (AHAP)’ (Policy DH(m)                                                                                                                         Charlotte Turner
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Gardens
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           CUTTY SARK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    WESTCOMBE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       PARK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Barrack Field

                                                                        demolition in exceptional circumstances, and will be assessed        Archaeology). All designations are shown on Royal
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     St Nicholas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      MAZE HILL
     The Royal Borough will protect and enhance the heritage                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Church
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Cemetery

     assets and settings of Royal Greenwich, including the              against the following criteria:                                      Greenwich’s Core Strategy Policies Map 2014.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Charlton House
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Grounds
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Charlton
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Park

     Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, preserving                      1. The condition of the building and the cost of repairs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    DEPTFORD
     or enhancing the character or appearance of the 20                         relative to its importance.                                  Cycle Routes: The borough is providing cycle routes in                                                                                 Fodham
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      GREENWICH                           Greenwich
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           15 minute walk                   30 minute walk                                                                               Woolwich
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Common

     Conservation Areas, applying a presumption in favour of the             2. The adequacy of efforts made to return the building          accordance with the London Cycle Network (LCN) and                                                                                              NEW CROSS

20                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              21
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Hornfair
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Charlton            Park

     preservation of statutory listed buildings and their settings,             to use.                                                      evolving local network. A cycle route has been implemented
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Lido

                                                                             3. The merits of alternative proposals for the site.            within the park running east – west from Vanbrugh Gate to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 DEPTFORD BRIDGE

     giving substantial weight to protecting and conserving locally
     listed buildings, protecting the three registered parks and                                                                             St. Mary’s Gate via Great Cross Avenue and The Avenue.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Blackheath

     gardens, as well as Royal Greenwich’s archaeological remains       ii) External or Internal Alterations                                 (Policy: IM4 Cycling and Walking).                                                                                                                                                              Brookmill
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Park

     and areas of special character.                                    Proposals for external or internal alterations or additions to
                                                                        Listed Buildings should respect the integrity of the buildings       Riverside Route: A combined cycle route and pedestrian                                                                                                                                                            ELVERSON ROAD

     DH4 Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site                         and harmonise with their special architectural or historical         walk runs along the south bank of the Thames (the route
     The Royal Borough will protect and enhance the Outstanding         character. Where consent is required for internal alterations,       of the National Trail). (Policy: OS3 South East London                                                                                                                                                                 LEWISHAM                                                BLACKHEATH

     Universal Values (the ‘Values’) of the inscribed Maritime          features of interest should be respected and left in-situ            Green Chain, IM4 Cycling and Walking).
     Greenwich World Heritage Site (the ‘Site’). Development            wherever possible.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Hilly Fields
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              KIDBROOKE

     within it should protect and enhance these Values.                                                                                      Green Chain Network: The extensive Green Chain walk                                                                                                                          Park

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Cator

     Development within the buffer zone (as defined on the              iii) Changes of Use                                                  network encompasses much of the open space in the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Park

     Proposals Map) and setting should not adversely impact             Proposals for changes of use of Listed Buildings will only be        eastern part of Greenwich Borough. It does not, currently,                                                                                       Brockley & Ladywell
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Cemetery

     on those Values, including views to and from the Site.             granted planning permission if it is no longer in its original or    link into the Blackheath/Greenwich Park open space                                                                                                                                                    LADYWELL
                                                                        other established historic use and the new use is beneficial to      (Policy: OS3 South East London Green Chain). However                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Sutcliffe
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ELTHAM

     DH(g) Local Views                                                  the building and is compatible with its character and features       there are a number of walks in and around the park under                                                                                                                                                                       Lewisham
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Park

     Planning permission will only be given for development which       of historic interest. Such a change of use should not conflict       the banner of Greenwich Get Active leisure walks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           KEY

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        HITHER
     would not have a materially adverse effect on the overall          with other policies in the Core Strategy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Ladywell
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Fields                                                               GREEN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ROADS                    WATERBODIES

     perspective and essential quality of the identified Local Views,                                                                        Main Challenges:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 LEE                                                                                                                                        RAILWAY

                                                                        iv) Setting and Proportion                                           Numerous local policies and designations exist that must
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  GREENSPACES
     which in Greenwich park comprise                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    DOCKLANDS
         1. Docklands panorama from the Wolfe Monument and              Proposals for development which would detract from the               be respected by conservation plan policies particularly relating                                                                            N
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         LIGHT RAILWAY

         2. Wolfe Monument south towards the All Saints Church          setting and proportions of a Listed Building or group will           to protection of open space from built development, protection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       < fig 6.
            in Blackheath.                                              be resisted.                                                         of views, character of the built landscape, trees and nature
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       SURROUNDING
                                                                                                                                             conservation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             GREEN SPACES
‘Greenwich Park is still potentially
the finest interpretation in England
of a layout based on that Grand
European 17th century conception
of design that governed also the
grouping of buildings leading to
the river.’

7TH REPORT OF THE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY
1: CONTEXT                                                        2: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER                                              3: OUR POLICIES                                                      4: IMPLEMENTATION

                                                                              THE EVOLUTION OF THE PARK’S LAYOUT                                of the alignment of the park walls, possibly even the focus         ornamentation and horticultural displays that provide a very
                                                                                                                                                on particular skyline features beyond the park including St.        different but enjoyable experience. They contrasts strongly
                                                                              The topography and geology of the site has had the greatest       Alfege Church, the Tower and St. Paul’s. Cathedral. It is a         with the sweep of open space long promenading avenues
                                                                              influence upon the design and layout of Greenwich Park.           further coincidence that this site, which has so many lines         of the more formal historic park but are important and fulfil
                                                                                                                                                and axes, should subsequently have also acquired a line of          different needs.
                                                                              The1660s saw the most significant change of character when        real international standing; but despite its importance this line
                                                                              the park was transformed from a medieval heath-land hunting       of the Greenwich Meridian has, until 1984 at least, remained        As a framework against which to test the present condition
                                                                              park into a formal landscape with a grand garden and avenues      insignificant in the park itself.                                   and future development of the park, the historical record
                                                                              during the Restoration. Charles II completed the Queen’s                                                                              shows that this composite plan is in itself important. While it is
                                                                              House and commissioned Sir William Boreman to supervise           The 1660s pattern has survived to the present day even              desirable to conserve and maintain the essential structure of
                                                                              improvements to the park.                                         though its component avenues are largely second, and in             the 17th century avenues and the related landforms, the use
                                                                                                                                                some cases fourth generation. The pattern itself is a curiosity;    and management of the park need to reflect the diversity of
                                                                              Clearly the emphatic axiality established by the siting of        it is probably French in its inspiration but would seem to be       its history.
                                                                              the Queen’s House became a dominant factor in the                 unsuited to such a contorted terrain - the dips and hollows
                                                                              development of the park’s layout. Indeed Inigo Jones may well     frustrating the sense of extending vistas and the natural grain
                                                                              have recognised the potential of the park as a stage set to his   of topography lying obliquely across the central axis of the
                                                                              composition, and André Le Nôtre’s plan appears to respond         design. In simple terms, the drawn plan looks as though it
                            HISTORIC                                          to it in just this way.                                           was conceived on paper without real consideration of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   1433 - Duke Humprey’s tower
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   strategically placed on the edge
                            CONTEXT                                           However, the importance of physical opportunities and
                                                                                                                                                physical characteristics of the site. Some commentators have
                                                                                                                                                tended to presume this to be a weakness of design, and that
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   of the heath to command land
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   and water routes to the capital
                                                                              constraints of the site should be traced back to earlier times,   the layout is, or even was, seen as a failure. On the contrary,
     This section begins by presenting the key evolutions                     not least to Duke Humphrey’s placing of the tower on its          it was regarded with high esteem even in its earliest days and
24   of the park’s designed landscape and a timeline of key                   strategic location over looking the Thames and conveniently       consistently during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Indeed                                                                                                                                                             25
     protagonists and historical events that have influenced it.              close to the historical mustering ground and reception area       during the Georgian period, it survived major changes of
                                                                              of Blackheath. There is some natural axiality about the tower     taste which were responsible for sweeping away many of its
     Then the section goes on to describe the ‘built’                         site in relation to the Isle of Dogs; and although this was       contemporary landscapes.
     components that have contributed to the character of                     largely disregarded by the Tudors who developed the Palace
     Greenwich Park.                                                          of Placentia with its convenient river access and adjacent        The evolution of the Restoration plan between 1661 and
                                                                              deer park, this imaginary line became fixed in reality with       1664 does not appear to have been the work of just one
     Historic Value:                                                          the orientation of the Queen’s House over the Deptford to         man and there are significant contrasts in the setting out of
     the ways in which past people, events and aspects of life                Woolwich road.                                                    the parts, even though the whole layout was achieved in a
     can be connected through a place to the present. Historical                                                                                three-year period. Furthermore several competing forces are
     understanding that comes from ‘reading’ the landscape that is            At the time, this siting may not have seemed particularly         expressed in the design and for this reason it remains, despite
     observable; it gains in value by completeness.                           significant, lying in the shadow of the great Tudor Palace, but   inexact setting out and numerous mathematical anomalies, a
                                                                              it subsequently dictated layouts to North and South, first        most interesting study in landscape design.
     Associative historical values are made through people                    with the development of the park itself, subsequently through
     identifying and connecting a place with cultural heritage;               Webb, Wren, Hawksmoor and Vanbrugh and the carefully              The pattern, which these various phases of history have
     literature, art, music, film, scientific or technological discoveries.   balanced plan of the Royal Hospital. This axiality has been       left behind, is clearly a composite. The formal design of
                                                                              further reinforced by the building of the East and West wings     avenues did not destroy or wholly dominate the pre-
     Continuing use of a place as is historically appropriate, that           (1807) and the Colonnades (1807-11), by the siting of All         existing English spontaneity of the “Pleasance”, but simply                                                                                                                           16th Century - The development
     ‘illustrates its relationship between design and function’ also          Saints Church (1858) on Blackheath, and most recently by the      introduced a creative tension which is still vividly apparent.                                                                                                                        of the Tudor palace related to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      river transport and the deer park
     enhances its value.                                                      placing of General Wolfe’s Statue (1930).                         A further tension, created mainly in the 19th and early 20th                                                                                                                          dominated by natural landforms
                                                                                                                                                centuries, has been achieved through the development of an                                                                                                                            of scarp and valleys
                                                                              The force of other lines may also be apparent in the              extensive path network which in some cases do not follow
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              fig 7. >
                                                                              development of the Restoration layout - the particular            the formal structure of the avenues. During this period the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      EVOLUTION OF
                                                                              orientation of the tributary valleys, the historical accident     park absorbed considerable fragmentation, diversification,              PARK LAYOUT
1: CONTEXT                                                 2: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER   3: OUR POLICIES                         4: IMPLEMENTATION

     1616 - Siting of the Queens                                               1661-62 - Interpolation of
     House establishes a new axis                                              Boreman’s planting (7 avenues
     across the natural grain of                                               including the Patte d’Oie and
     topography                                                                Wilderness

26                                                                                                                                                                                                                27

                                                                                                                                                       ‘Clearly the emphatic axiality
                                                                                                                                                       established by the siting of the
                                                                                                                                                       Queen’s House became a dominant
                                                                                                                                                       factor in the development of the
                                                                                                                                                       park’s layout. Indeed Inigo Jones
                                                                                                                                                       may well have recognised the
                                                                                                                                                       potential of the park as a stage set
                                                                                                                                                       to his composition, and André Le
                                    1663-64 - The Le Nôtre
                                    terrace elm avenues and the
                                                                                                               1884 - Queens House/
                                                                                                               Blackheath axis reinforced by
                                                                                                                                                       Nôtre’s plan appears to respond
                                    counterpoint of Flamsteed
                                    House (1675)
                                                                                                               the development of the Royal
                                                                                                               Hospital (1695) extended by             to it in just this way.’
                                                                                                               All Saints Church (1858) and
                                                                                                               focused on the statue of General
                                                                                                               Wolfe (1930). Zero Meridian
                                                                                                               established in 1884.
1: CONTEXT                                                        2: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER                                                  3: OUR POLICIES                                                    4: IMPLEMENTATION

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       c.1550s
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       (© Encyclopædia Britannica)

                                                                                                                This digital reconstruction of how the Roman
                                                                                                                temple in Greenwich Park might have looked
                                                                                                                       was created by Channel 4’s Time Team.

28                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    29
                      PRE-1433                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1433-1485
                                                                                                                                                                An areal view of the Anglo-
                      PRE-HISTORY TO ROYAL MANOR                                                                                                                Saxon Cemetery today.                                                                                                         DUKE HUMPHREY, “BELLA COURT”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              AND THE PARK
     GREENWICH PARK
         TIMELINE     The Thames Valley has been a focus of settlement from             ‘had tessellated flooring and painted plaster walls...’, all of which   The importance of Greenwich seems to have dwindled after           the middle of the 14th century the King of England again   Until this time the importance of Greenwich Manor and the
                      prehistoric times. The Greenwich area once formed part            give information about the building’s use up to 400 AD                  the Romans left until it appears listed among the possessions      held the manor. In 1408 Henry IV was brought in sickness   “house by the river” centred around its strategic position
                      of the primeval forest of Andread’s Weald and the spur of         and its status. The excavations have produced evidence of a             of King Alfred (871-900). He gave this manor of “Gronovic”         to Greenwich probably to the house known as “Old Court”    overlooking the two main thoroughfares to London, the
                      naturally dry ground at Greenwich would have been used by         continuous Roman occupation of the site for nearly 400 years.           or “Grenevic”1 or part of it, to his daughter Elstrudis, wife      from where he drew up his will granting Greenwich to       Thames and the Roman road from Dover. Duke Humphrey
                      prehistoric communities. Greenwich Park has expressions and                                                                               of Baldwin II Count of Flanders. Baldwin died in 918 and           Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter. In 1422 Thomas Beaufort   made Greenwich a much more important place than it had
                      remnants of several key periods of history including Roman,       On the western side of the park, near Croom’s Hill Gate                 Elstrudis gave the manor to the Abbey of St. Peter’s at Ghent.     was appointed Regent to the young Henry VI but died in     been previously. He built a house grand enough to be coveted
                      Anglo Saxon, Tudor and Stuart.                                    is a group of 31 tumuli or barrows dating from the Anglo                This Flemish connection lasted until the early 15th century        1426 and the manor of Greenwich, along with the Regency,   by the Queen, he made it a centre of the new learning and
                                                                                        Saxon period. This is one of only 40 barrow cemeteries in               when Henry V disallowed alien monasteries and priories             passed to the young King’s uncle, Humphrey, Duke of        built up his famous library2. He also enclosed a park which
                      The important Roman road Watling Street (later diverted by        England. Each mound covers a single burial and some of the              (1414) and the Abbot of Ghent’s holding reverted to English        Gloucester.                                                became, under the Tudors, a favourite royal playground and
                      Duke Humphrey) ran just to the south-west of Greenwich            dead have been discovered to have been buried with their                hands. It is possible that a house, referred to as the “house by                                                              deer park.
                      Park. By the north-east boundary wall, near the edge of the       weapons. Almost all the barrows show signs of disturbance               the river” and the “Old Court” remained in the possession of
                      escarpment is the site of a Romano-British temple, a nationally   during an exploratory excavation in 1784. Works for a new               the Kings of England from the time of Alfred.                                                                                 It appears that Duke Humphrey demolished “Old Court”
                      rare building type of Romano-Celtic temple. Excavations over      reservoir in 1844 resulted in the levelling of 12 barrows,                                                                                                                                            and was granted a licence “to build a mansion crennelled and
                      a number of years show the remains of this main temple, the       and there has been further disturbance from tree roots. The             The Domesday Book confirms that King Harold had held                                                                          embattled”3 which he called “Bella Court”. In 1433 Henry VI
                      cella with surrounding ambulatory, and its associated sacred      place name ‘Greenwich’ emerged in the middle Anglo-Saxon                a manor at Greenwich but King William had assigned the                                                                        permitted him to add to his house by enclosing “200 acres
                      precinct or temenos. Among the findings were rare ivories,        period suggesting it was a wic or trading settlement, whose             royal possession to Ghent. However it seems that by about
                      inscriptions, a large number of coins and that the temple         importance derived from craft and maritime trade.                                                                                                                                                     2. The foundations of the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
                                                                                                                                                                1. Saxon for Green Village: Lysons op.cit p.427                                                                               3. Lysons p.429
You can also read