Sydney Gardens, Bath Design and Access Statement · 2018. 9. 20. · Sydney Gardens is undoubtedly a highly significant historic garden, due to the varied nature of the values identified,

Sydney Gardens, BathDesign and Access Statement

for the Sydney Gardens Project - Planning Submission and Lottery Fund Round 2 Application

August 2018

Contents

Version: 1

Version date: 31 07 2018

Comment Final Report

This document has been prepared and checked in accordance with ISO 9001:2000.

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Historic Development and Understanding the Significance of the Gardens 7

3.0 Project History & Background to this application 9

4.0 Analysis of the Existing Gardens 11

5.0 Vision and Aims for the Project 13

6.0 Design Development and Public Engagement 15

7.0 The Masterplan Proposals 17

8.0 Landscape Design and Conservation/Restoration 23

9.0 Planting Strategy 27

10.0 Ecology 35

11.0 Buildings Strategy 37

SYDNEY GARDENS BATH - PRE-PLANNING SUMMARY

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SYDNEY GARDENS BATH - DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

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1.0 Introduction

This planning application on behalf of BaNES is for capital works as part of the Heritage and Big Lottery funded Sydney Gardens Project (SGP) to restore, conserve and enhance Sydney Gardens.

BaNES is working closely with the Friends of Sydney Gardens, Holburne Museum and other local community groups as well as specialist landscape architects, conservation architects and specialist conservators to develop the masterplan and proposals to date.

This document should be read in conjunction with the many other studies that have been researched or commissioned during the design of this masterplan strategy.

Need for the Project

Sydney Gardens forms a key component in the Georgian masterplan of Bathwick that is still largely intact today, and that forms a key part of the World Heritage Site of Bath. Refer to the Conservation Plan for more information regarding its historic development and significance.

Despite their considerable charm, mature trees and surviving historic features (refer Survey Fig 1) Sydney Gardens have suffered from several years of ad-hoc additions, sporting and leisure infrastructure - with varying degrees of use. They have also like many public parks and gardens, suffered as a result of under-investment and subsequent decline for several decades, and as a result are in real need of rejuvenation.

Some areas are closed to the public, or underused, and there are unused, underused and derelict buildings, tired facilities, surfacing and planting. Despite its close proximity to the City centre, access is difficult from the north due to the lack of road crossing and closed entrances; and access from the canal is via steps.

Survey of the Gardens with photos of its key features is shown in Fig 1

Analysis of the Gardens showing Detrimental Features and Underused Areas with Capacity to Change is shown on Fig 4.

Areas detrimental to the historic significance are shown on Fig 3, in yellow and blue areas show items that have the capacity to change (without detriment to the significance, as described in the Conservation Plan).


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Figure 1 - Existing Site Survey

Legend

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Grade II Listed Front Garden Wall To Sydney Gardens Hotel And Ravenswell

Grade II Listed Sydney Gardens Hotel And Ravenswell

Grade II Listed Footbridge Over Railway In Sydney Gardens

Grade II* Listed Retaining Wall East Of Raileway Line

Grade II* Listed Retaining Wall And Ballustrade West Of Railway

Grade II* Listed Bridge Over Railway In Sydney Gardens

Grade Ii Listed Minerva’s Temple

Grade II Listed Gentlemen’s Public Lavatories

Grade II Listed Ladies’ Public Lavatories

Grade II Listed Pavilion/ Gardener’s Lodge

Grade I Listed The Holburne Museum

Grade II* Listed Two Watchman’s Boxes At Holburne Museum

Legend: current buildings & structures

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Grade II Listed Sydney House

Grade II Listed Loggia

Grade II* Listed Bridge In Sydney Gardens

Grade II* Listed Footbridge Over Canal In Sydney Gardens

Grade II Listed Wall, Railings And Gate To The West Of The

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Play Area

Bowling Green + Pavilion

Tennis Courts

Kennet And Avon Canal

Iron Bridge

Stone Bridge Over Railway

Railway

Train Viewing Area

Site Compound

Enclosure

Grassed Area Behind Holburne

Existing Car Park

Legend: existing elements

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Public Toilets - unlisted modern block, largely unused area at the rear of the building6

The ‘Bothy’ - unlisted19

AllotmentsM

Boundary to Sydney Gardens

Former Bathwick Street Pay Box / Ticket Kiosk - a heritage asset, even though unlisted.20

(Not Official) Sub Station N


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Main Entrance: Historic entrance to the park, gates are missing. Stonework in need of repair

Tennis Courts: Tennis courts in need of refurbishment

Bowling Green with Bowl’s Pavilion:Limited to use of existing facilities.

Canal bridges and Railway Bridges: Damage to railings, signs of rust, stonework in need of cleaning.

Loggia Stonework, interior and seating in need of redecoration and repair.

The ‘Bothy’: Currently used as a store.

Play Area: Poorly located away from existing facilities. Limited range of equipment and play value.

Damage to footpath surface on many paths Limited access to railway in parts overgrown

Edwzardian Toilets - Gents and Ladies. Structures on Heritage at Risk Register, settings compromised and no longer used.

Depot Area: Unsightly area in the heart of the park. Minerva’s temple: Stonework, interior and seating in need of repair and redecoration.

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Figure 2. Listed Buildings within and adjacent to the boundary of Sydney Gardens

Legend

TWO WATCHMAN’S BOXES AT HOLBURNE MUSEUM Grade II* Listed

THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM Grade I Listed

GARDENERS PAVILION Grade II Listed

LADIES’ PUBLIC LAVATORIES Grade II Listed

GENTLEMEN’S PUBLIC LAVATORIES Grade II Listed

MINERVA’S TEMPLE Grade II Listed

BRIDGE OVER RAILWAY IN SYDNEY GARDENS Grade II* Listed

RETAINING WALL AND BALUSTRADE WEST OF RAILWAY LINE Grade II* Listed

RETAINING WALL EAST OF RAILWAY LINE Grade II* Listed

FOOTBRIDGE OVER THE RAILWAY IN SYDNEY GARDENS Grade II Listed

SYDNEY GARDENS HOTEL AND RAVENSWELL Grade II Listed

FRONT GARDEN WALL TO SYDNEY GARDENS HOTEL AND RAVENSWELL Grade II Listed

WALL, RAILINGS AND GATE TO THE WEST OF THE KENNET AND AVON CANAL Grade II* Listed

FOOTBRIDGE OVER CANAL IN SYDNEY GARDENS Grade II* Listed

BRIDGE IN SYDNEY GARDENS Grade II Listed

LOGGIA Grade II Listed

SYDNEY HOUSE Grade II Listed

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Figure 3. Significance Plan - Refer also to Conservation Plan, Vols 1 & 2 (separate Documents)

LegendLoss of Key view from original Sham

Castle Location

A. Lawns established in the original Harcourt Masters plans, and remaining as relaxation, gathering and events spaces since c18.

B. Canal designed to compliment the garden’s aesthetic

C. Railway Walk, designed to compliment the garden’s aesthetic

D. Main axis and links with Holburn

1. The Holburne Museum and links with Sydney Gardens

2. Gardener’s Lodge

3. Former Bathwick St Pay Box / Kiosk

4. Edwardian Ladies and Gents public lavatories

5. Minerva’s Temple

6. Loggia

7. Bridges over the railway

8. Bridges over the canal, gateway

9. Ruin of unknown purpose, in location of former ‘Cosmorama’

10. Georgian Reservoir

11. Mature trees from 18th & 19th c. periods (see Map No 10)

12. Boundary wall, Entrances and overthrow to Sydney Place

1. Depot area compound

2. Poor condition and tall sports / tennis fencing

3. Overgrown, vegetation on railway embankment

4. 1990’s Public lavatories compromise setting of Edwardian ladies toilets

5. Corrugated parapet to Beckford Rd Railway Bridges

6. Setting of the Gardener’s Lodge (paving, planting, seating)

7. Electric Sub-station

8. Loss of key view from Sham Castle location

9. Extent of tarmac paving around lost (long) seat

Areas of high historic significance

Features Of High Historic Significance

Features detrimental to historic significance

1. Bowling green and pavilion, existing play area

2. Area to the rear of derelict (listed) Edwardian toilets, and setting to the Gardeners Lodge.

3. Depot area

4.The ‘Bothy’ and adjacent area behind

5. The former allotment area, (non-designated in planning)

6. Area around the remnants of the long seat

Underused areas, with capacity for change

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Caption

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1 O.S. Plan 1904.

2 The Orchestra, 1831. Located on the main axis set within the planting, as can be seen on the plan(1).

3 Sketch of the ‘Fancy Fair’ at Sydney Gardens

4 Sydney Gardens by John Claude Nattes, 1804

5 The Canal, Sydney Gardens, Bath, by John Nash 20th century

6 Sydney Gardens, Bath, by John Nixon c. 1800

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2.0 Historic Development and Understanding the Significance of the Gardens

Figures 1 and 2 show the listed status of individual items within Sydney Gardens and Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic summary of the significance of the various componants. These are also discussed in more detail the Conservation Plan (CP).

* Fig 2: Listed Buildings within the boundary of Sydney Gardens

* Fig 3: Significance Plan

Sydney Gardens is undoubtedly a highly significant historic garden, due to the varied nature of the values identified, which should probably merit a higher grading than its current Grade II, on the Historic England Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. (Refer CP, section 5)

It has many individually listed structures and buildings, which provide focal points and ornament to the landscape as well as having significance as individual structures, such as the Temple of Minerva, Loggia, Gardeners Lodge.

Proposals for the gardens have been developed following extensive survey and research as demonstrated and summarised in the compilation of the Sydney Gardens Conservation Plan (CP). This will be complimented by the emerging Management and Maintenance Plan (MMP) which will be complete once project costs and future budgets are known.

The proposals take full account of the significance of the Gardens as a whole and its individual heritage assets, based on their various ‘values’, as defined by Historic England’s (H. E.) ‘Conservation Principles and Practice’.

The understanding of the garden’s history and analysis of its development is supplemented with a map regression showing change over time, together with the Statement of Significance, derived from this research and analysis.

The Bathwick Conservation Area, and centrally Sydney Gardens, contributes to all six of the significances identified in the WHS. (refer CP 3.8.8, page 47)

Some of the heritage assets such as the Edwardian toilets are in poor condition and on the Heritage at Risk Register, (HARR) due to both their setting which is compromised by the building of a 1990s toilet block and also their poor, derelict condition. These are proposed to be put to positive use and refurbished.

Historic Designations

Historic Englands list entries for the gardens and listed structures within and as shown on Fig 2, are contained in the appendix of the CP.


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3.0 Project History & Background to this application

The need to restore and revitalise Sydney Gardens has been apparent for several decades now, and in 1993 a comprehensive survey plan was drawn up by Colvin and Moggridge with proposals to carry out restoration works. These were not carried out to any great extent, and the need to restore the gardens has increased significantly since that time.

This project and grant application to the Heritage/BIG Lottery Fund’s (HLF) ‘Parks for People’ fund has been developed since March 2016 as a comprehensive package to conserve and restore the historic fabric of the Gardens and to improve maintenance, public access, education, and enjoyment of it.

A successful first round (of the two stage) grant application process was made in Augusts 2016 to the HLF, and the project proposals have been developed further during 2017-18, towards a planning application in August 2018.

The basis of the project, its masterplan for capital works and the long term management and maintenance, is underpinned by the Conservation Plan, Business Plan and the Management and Maintenance Plan (MMP).

The principles underlying the project are the only realistic and achievable approach to conservation of buildings and landscape and sustaining the long term future of the Gardens to a satisfactory standard, which otherwise is likely to continue to decline.

Opposite shows the first round of 2016 consultation plans. These started the design process, leading to the final masterplan and detailed plans contained in this planning application, and to be submitted in August 2018 to the Lottery Fund.


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Figure 4. Analysis Plan: Detrimental and Underused Areas and Architectural Issues

Legend

Areas inaccessible to the public or not used

Areas underused with poor condition / layout

Former entrances closed

Poor connectivity

Buildings on heritage at risk register (Edwardian toilets)

Buildings of poor architectural quality and detrimental to park character

Historic structures in need of repair and setting improved

Network rail responsibility


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4.0 Analysis of the Existing Gardens

Overview

Today, Sydney Gardens comprises a small-size public park of 4.85 ha (12 acres) providing an amenity for local residents and visitors to the Holburne Museum and Bath in general. It comprises meandering paths through lawns with shrubberies and specimen trees, tennis courts, playground and a bowling green (disused from mid-2010). Railway and Canal.

Two parallel cuttings sever the Gardens into three distinct areas: first by the Kennet and Avon Canal in 1800, and then in parallel by the Great Western Railway (GWR) between1839-41, when it opened.

Where the canal had been aligned sensitively to minimise damage to the Gardens, the railway bisected the main axis path at an angle and necessitating the introduction of additional crossings in the form of two more bridges. It notably severed the Ride by not providing a bridge link to carry it over the railway at the outer edge of the gardens at the north.

However the gardens are all the more interesting due to the interventions created by the canal and railway, providing more interest created by the different cuttings, level changes, walkways alongside both and the bridges that cross them. This is reflected in the listings of the individual elements, but also contributes to the interest of the wider gardens and landscape. Their juxtaposition can help in telling the story of Victorian engineering, development in transport infrastructure, design and craftsmanship - all within a garden setting.

Central Areas, lawns and shrubberies

The central lawns provide peaceful spaces and are bordered by paths and shrubberies, making them well connected but with shelter and some seclusion. Despite some changes in layout these have been in existence since the early Pleasure Garden days. They are useful both as quiet spaces and occasional event spaces

Play and Recreation

The tennis courts are well used (less so the lower ones, which are in very poor condition). The play area, despite its limited play value, remains relatively popular, but not as well used as it could be, in the north east corner.

Planting

Planting is generally tired and in need of re-invigoration. It consists of large dominant shrubs such as spotted and cherry laurels, yew and holly on the railway embankment.

While shrub planting remains healthy and serves to create distinct character areas, it has not been seriously pruned back for several years, and therefore very overgrown. More delicate shrub and herbaceous plantings that would have existed have been crowded out.

Volunteers have just started a major programme of restoration pruning. This will give an opportunity for some more ornamental planting to bring more of a garden feel to the gardens generally.

Several self sown sycamore and yews / holly are located in some areas (eg former allotment and railway embankment) and would benefit from removal to enable access and improve views, making the areas more open. Tree pruning will enable some of the views, such as the one from the derelict allotments to be reinstated. Key views are shown on Fig 10.

Underused Areas

The bowls green and pavilion are not now used, having closed in 2016 due to reduced membership and the ending of the Post Office Bowls Club, who shared the green. The former bowls pavilion is therefore not now in use and is in very poor condition, beyond economically viable repair or refurbishment.

The (locked) allotment area and the depot area are also underused and inaccessible to the public. The depot is in a key area adjacent to the Holburne and should be better used for public benefit. It houses a small sub-station building that needs to have access to it retained, although it can be screened to some extent.

Several buildings within the gardens remain unused or under-used and these are described in the Buildings Strategy drawing, at Fig Section 2. As with many such public park projects it is essential to find a positive use for these within the overall strategy, so they can contribute to the activities and therefore appreciation of the garden by supporting volunteers, visitors, and events.


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Figure 5. Geographic representation of proposed activities, as shown during consultation


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5.0 Vision and Aims for the Project

The project vision is to:

‘Revitalise Sydney Gardens as a beautiful Pleasure Garden with peaceful and tranquil spaces, that achieves a renaissance as a unique, fun and restorative environment, for all ages; - its remarkable built and natural heritage, people and events, told and experienced in witty and eclectic ways.’

The Vision has been developed with the Steering Group from the outset of the feasibility and concept stages (RIBA 1-2) and then further refined at the more detailed concept design stage. (RIBA 2-3) It has evolved during public engagement sessions and open public exhibitions showing the proposals which have been developed as part of the design process.

The vision aims to instil a sense that Sydney Gardens is valued for its many peaceful and tranquil spaces, as well as its heritage, planting, entertainment, activity and play value, whilst recognising its origins as an 18th Century pleasure gardens, as well as its significant 19th and 20th century design overlays and interventions.

The varied spatial, natural and built heritage of the site helps tell its story. The trains and canal keep the heritage alive and add to the site’s dynamism and entertainment for children of all ages, as well as physically linking it with the rest of Bath and wider countryside.

A planting strategy at Section 9 sets out the intention for planting, to be carried out as part of the restoration grant programme, and beyond.

A play strategy to improve play, in keeping with the pleasure gardens theme is described in Section

Tree removals and protection plan is included in the planning application. Removals are only proposed where existing trees that are detrimental to other more valuable species by competing with them, blocking important views, or in poor health. Refer to section


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6.0 Design Development and Public Engagement

The design has developed considerably since the first draft masterplan for the gardens produced in early 2016 for the first round application to the HLF grant programme. It was also explained through the Consultation Boards that were used in the development of the masterplan, the last ones produced in April 2018.

These show the changes made during the design process, in response to the feedback regarding the original proposal to remove the eastern (lower) set of tennis courts and create a larger play area.

This proposal was changed, to retain tennis in this location and reduce the size of the proposed formal play provision to the location of the bowling green and upper terrace, located above it.

The boards explained the proposals and were titled:

* Introduction / Vision and Key Themes for the Project * Updates to the Project* Activities the project could support * Brief history, * The Gardens Today* Buildings in the Park – issues and strategy* The New Masterplan – proposals park wide* The Park Café – proposals for a kiosk* Edwardian Loos and Bothy – proposals* The New Play Area – proposals

Staff were on hand at each of the open days, and available to discuss the proposals. The boards were put onto the council website and the second (April 2018) consultation was available in the Library. They were accompanied by questionnaires to ascertain concerns and comments/suggestions, and plans amended accordingly, where strong feelings were voiced – such as with the tennis.

At the consultations where the plans were displayed and explained, respondents were asked whether they agreed (Yes), disagreed (No) or didn’t know (DK) about 5 key proposals. Ina ddition over 170 comments and suggestions were given; 52% positive, 36% comments and 12% negative.

Results of the consultation are summarised here: A full breakdown can be supplied on request.

April 2018 Consultation Questions and Feedback Analysis

Q No. Question Yes No Don’t know

1 Do you support the retention of 4 tennis courts

81% 8% 10%

2 The replacement of the bowls pavilion with a kiosk café and outdoor seating

87% 9% 4%

4 The re-location (re-creation of) of the labyrinth to the top of the park beside the tennis courts

78% 10% 13%

5 Would you support swings in the gardens, for all ages to use?

87% 3% 10%

6 The restoration of the historic ladies loo and relocation to the other side of the path

77% 8% 15%


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Figure 6. Masterplan - Proposed Strategic Moves

Legend

New accessible DDA paths and routes

New / re-opened entrances

Improved entrances / connections - Canal ramp at 1:12

Improved exisiting paths

Main views revelealed or enhanced

Limited vegetation pruning

Park Building or Structure

Cohesively designed entrance area

Underused areas brought back into use for play

Underused areas brought into use as gardens


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7.0 The Masterplan Proposals

Overview

The proposals include many public benefits, as well as conservation of significant park structures and landscape restoration, enabling the Gardens to be restored as both a peaceful space, but one which can support seasonal events and activities. As such they should be viewed as a holistic set of proposals, and as one package.

The proposals have been developed in conjunction with historic research and analysis of the Garden’s varied heritage assets and their associated values, as described in the Conservation Plan (CP). The Design and Access Statement references the CP throughout, and should be read in conjunction with it.

The full masterplan for the gardens has been developed to address the most urgent conservation and repair of the Grade II registered landscape and listed and unlisted buildings. It will also to improve visitor access, ornamental planting, ecology and wildlife habitats, while providing new and improved facilities for active recreation, play and wellbeing, supported by new refreshment and toilet facilities.

The masterplan has been developed to re-introduce the joy and playfulness once experienced during the times when Sydney Gardens was a pleasure garden, while retaining the peace and tranquillity that so many people value today.

Key moves behind the masterplan are shown in the following:

* Fig 10: Proposed Buildings Strategy (Site Wide)* Fig 6: Masterplan: Proposed Strategic

moves and connections

Building Strategy

The buildings strategy is a key part of the whole masterplanning process, as the garden has had several structures and buildings added at various times resulting in a slightly ad-hoc collection, with little overall rationale or planning.

For instance, we have the derelict, but listed Edwardian toilet blocks – on the Heritage at Risk Register (HAR), situated behind the modern, underused toilet block. We have the Bothy, an unused (former sub-station, then gardeners mess room/tool store) without a toilet in the southern half of the gardens.

The strategy therefore rationalises the many buildings, conserving the historic and finding new uses for existing buildings of any heritage merit, and replacing those with no heritage or architectural merit (bowls pavilion and their associated outbuildings). Unfortunately the existing electric sub-station within the existing depot area cannot be removed.

Building conservation and restoration works have been informed by the Sally Strachey Historic Conservation ‘Condition and Recommendation Report – Temple of Minerva, Loggia, Edwardian Toilets, Gate Piers and Ruinette’, dated February 2018.

This set of proposals for the buildings are summarised below:

Building Works included in the project are:

* Demolition of derelict Bowls Pavilion and replace with a new café kiosk with accessible toilets (building will be of smaller footprint) to serve the visitors to the gardens and play facilities.

* Restoration of the shell of the cast iron Grade II Listed Ladies and Gents toilets and used for park related uses and events (not toilets). To include relocation of the ladies from behind the modern toilets (built 1987) to improve the setting of both, while keeping them together in a group, and improving visibility, context and a useable outdoor space for the gardeners Lodge.

* Conservation works to the grade II listed Loggia.

* Conservation works to the grade II listed Minerva’s Temple.

* Conversion of unlisted unused Bothy (former substation) to community and park related use.

* Conversion of the rear of the unlisted modern toilets to community / park related activity use e.g. meeting room or art/ education room.

* Consolidation of lower half of the unlisted, ruined, derelict structure in the current depot area, removing unsafe higher-level masonry down to c. 500mm.

* The Building Strategy Plan and Detailed Buildings Proposals are contained in Section 11 and Part 2 of this document, in conjunction with conservation Architects, MRDA.


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Active zone for all ages, refer to play area drawings.

New outdoor seating terrace to new café kiosk, with petanque and tree planting, seating steps

Play Area: zoned for younger and older children, refer to play area drawings.

Path realignment to reduce tarmac, and 1800’s long seat restored

New bound gravel footpath along railway, with seating. Network rail modifcations to balustrade (railings over stonework).

Minor repairs to entrance, gate overthrow and wall off Sydney Road, shrub pruning and planting

Flower garden and connecting path, in place of existing depot. Ruin stonework consolidated as a garden feature

Improved connection with The Holburne: New floral border against wall.

Tennis courts: Refurbished to LTA standards. 2 No, instead of 3, reorientated

Floral border and seating area at entrance

Improve cottage garden setting for the Gardener’s Lodge new planting and seating

Main entrance - minor repairs

Labyrinth, based on original guidebook, but planted in grasses, • Restored Georgian Reservoir stone work (wishing well!) in centre.

New seating and interpretation throughout gardens

Swing for all ages in lawn

New, ramped access to canal tow path

Wild flower meadow created with woodland planting, viewing and seating areas, in existing fenced off area.

New pedestrian access to Sydney Gardens from Beckford Road - with associated road crossing (if by others)

Entrance re-opended with railings and gate set back within the gardens, to prevent direct access onto road

Small outdoor workshop/ tool store area for Bothy

‘Ruin’ consolidated/height reduced as a feature with in new garden space

Existing substation access maintained

Loggia - conserved

Bothy - refurbish for ‘model of exchange’ use

Footbridge - restored

Footbridge - restored

Minerva’s Temple - restored

Bowls Pavilion - replaced with cafe kiosk, and accessible ‘Changing Places’ toilet, with seating terraces both sides

Listed toilets - Gentlemen: restore structure and put to alternative use

Modern Toilets - Convert rear of the building to new community workshop facility.

Listed toilets - Ladies: refurbish, relocate from behind 1980’s toilet block to improve setting and restore to alternative use

Gardener’s Lodge - no works

Holburne Museum

Legend: Structures

Shrub and tree pruning to create clearing where orchestra once stood. Electricity and waterpoints.

Refurbished tennis courts

Potential location for Jane Austen sculpture (not within HLF project)

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Figure 7: Masterplan

Legend


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Existing entrance (no change)

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Public Realm Materials

For location of Key References refer to Dwgs 103-106

Paving & Surfacing

P1. Coxwell Gravel paths to railway. 75mm over 150mm MOT Type 1

P2. Tarmac Surface to paths - new 6mm grade wearing course:

P3. New Resin Bonded gravel over new tarmac surface

P4. New Tennis Court Surfacing and sports lining to LTA stds: Proprietary sports surface, colour green.

P5. Braemar Flags, pre cast Arran stone ground texture, by tobermore 400 x 600mm

P6. In situ, textured and coloured concrete surface to Water Play channel and rills, with sand pit area.

P7. Wetpour safety surface to Panna and basketball hoop sports area, without shock pad, colours dark yellow, dark green, light green

P8. Playsmart rubber grass mat, laid over turf.

P9. Large rocks, flat, rounded corners, local sandstone or limestone, to form play area rill, sand and water play. Sizes ranging from 300mm diam to 1m diameter, x 450mm thick.

P10 Safety surface to play areas. Tiger Mulch by Playsmart. Colour varies, tbc, but muted colour range (buff and green).

Steps

ST1. York stone treads and reclaimed, site won stone risers (stone from ruin in service yard) to play area terraces

ST2. Timber (hardwood sleeper) risers and compacted, bound gravel treads to (currently derelict) allotment garden

ST3. Conservation kerb risers, infilled with tarmac treads (railway steps)

Furniture

S1. 1800mm Park Bench,Timber slat, Cast iron frame, painted, by Branson Leisure. Exact type tbc, following consultation with Friends Group.

S2. Backless seat, Timber from Woodscape or similar to play area

P1 P5 P9 ST3

P2 P6 P10

P3 P7 ST1 S2

P4 P8 ST2

S1


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Figure 8 - Views

Legend

Views out

Views in

Internal views


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8.0 Landscape Design and Conservation/Restoration

The landscape strategy has been developed to strengthen the various characters within the Gardens and reinvigorate or reopen areas that are currently unused or underused. These can be seen on the following diagrams.Fig 4: Analysis Plan: Detrimental and Underused AreasFig 6: Masterplan: Proposed Strategic moves and connections

Access and Circulation:

The masterplan and especially all the new detailed designs (eg the play and active zone) ensure that access is improved and to DDA standards where possible. For instance, it is not possible to create DDA compliant access in lieu of the steps down to the Railway Walk, but all the levels and ramped accesses through the play area have been designed to ensure no ramp exceeds 1:21, therefore negating the necessity for handrails and enabling ease of movement by all.

It is one of the project aims to create a ‘dementia friendly’ Garden, and the designs have been developed to improve circulation and take this on board. Examples of this are demonstrated by designing out dead ends, (which those living with dementia find distressing).

Another example of this is in the former allotment area which will have connecting paths to open up a disused area and re-open a closed entrance, improving access from the north east.

An access ramp is proposed to the Canal path, but due to existing levels, it is not possible to make this completely DDA compliant, and the best achievable gradient is 1:12 over approx. 6m. Steps are retained as an alternative.

Tree Removal Strategy:

The tree ages vary from those planted in the original, 1700s Pleasure Gardens phase, through the Victorian ere and 20th century. These can be seen on the tree ages diagram in the CP Vol 2 Plans and Illustrations Document, Map 10.

Tree removals are generally only planned where there have been self-sown trees which are now preventing the reinstatement or opening up of new routes (former allotment area and current depot – now proposed to be the new ‘Ruinette Garden’ . Similarly alongside the Railway walk steps, where self sown trees have not been thinned and are now making the Railway Walk too shady, dark and overgrown.

Another reason for proposed tree removal is in the garden area to the west of the Gardeners Cottage, where the un thinned, large Lleylandiis (T155 and 156) are starting to compete with the mature beech tree and if left, will cause detriment to the beech, so are proposed for removal. (154) Similarly Tree 159, which is overshadowing the Gardeners Cottage, will be removed.

Landscape Works:

* Removal of the bowling green and upper play area and redesign as a larger play area and active recreation space, including age zoned play equipment, Petanque, table tennis, basketball hoop, bounded by low railings.

* Removal of fenced depot area adjacent to Holburne Museum and creation of a publically accessible garden space.

* Minor repairs to entrances generally, setback with railings created at north-east entrance to reopen and improve safety and access at this point (14 on masterplan).

* Ramp to the Grade II listed gate to the west of Kennet and Avon Canal (no alterations to gateway/wall, but ironwork to be repaired)

* Minor footpath repairs.

* Minor repairs and repainting of two No. grade II* listed canal bridges.

* Replanting and new seating, generally.

* Installation of a planted labyrinth (18 on Masterplan).

* Creation and re-opening of chain-link fenced space (16 on Masterplan) into a woodland garden area and viewing/seating area.

* Improve ‘cottage garden’ setting for the Gardener’s Lodge, new planting and seating.

* Lower Tennis courts: Refurbished and reorientation to LTA standards. 2 No, instead of existing 3.

* Upper Tennis courts refurbished to LTA standards.

* Railings extended and wall length reduced at the entrance between Gardens and The Holburne Museum, to improve the visual connections.

* Discreet interpretation panels, (potential locations at/ near some of the entrances and consideration of the Temple of Minerva as an orientation point)

Planting Strategy:

The planting strategy can be seen in Section 9

Generally it has been designed to capitalise on the Pleasure Gardens theme and the existing, longstanding structure of lawns, shrubberies and woodland railway walks, creating flower gardens with more horticultural interest in key locations.

The aim is to accentuate or restore lost views and add interest to the existing large, overgrown shrubberies. These are currently undergoing a thorough prune, to rejuvenate them and allow for new planting schemes of smaller and more interesting shrubs and limited herbaceous planting to be incorporated.

Planting will be introduced to the play area along the boundary with the perimeter wall and the boundary with the 900mm proposed railings. This will soften its appearance and make the play area less utilitarian and more ‘garden like’.

The planting along the railings will not be tall, so it will be possible to see over it into the play area, ensuring it is still very much part of the gardens. Similarly with the ‘Active zone’ to the north of the kiosk.

Planting at the Gardeners Lodge will enable the opening up of the lawn area to create a more cottage garden feel, in keeping with the scale of the cottage itself. Together with replacing the annual bedding to the north of the entrance path, this will improve the entrance area generally as well as the setting to the lodge and to be restored and relocated Edwardian Toilets.


24

8.5 Play and Active zone strategy

Play is an important component of the proposals and described on Fig 9, opposite. It is located close to the proposed kiosk and toilets, and seating area with a Petanque Court to encourage active use by people of all ages.

It is loosely zoned into youner and older childrens play features, set on the former bowling green area/terrace, with an all ages inclusive seating terrace surrounding the Kiosk for passive surveillance, while not making it exclusively for those with children using the play area. The active zone is located to the north of the kiosk, intentionally to include users of these facilities, while a Petanque court is located on the seating terrace to encourage its use by all ages.

The various level changes (existing slopes) are proposed to be re-modelled as Planted slopes with stepped seating terraces, to encourage passive surveillance as well as additional areas of seating and social congregation. These are also traversed by accessible ramps to connect the entire area into the wider gardens accessible circulation.

Planting has been introduced to a certain extent to soften the terraces, without causing detriment to the seating capacity, or creating a maintenance burden, as these are likely to be trampled with use as a play feature.

The lower slope is again proposed to be planting and seating terraces with a slide and mound with climbing hand holds, for those watching or waiting for the lower tennis courts, and also to incorporate the slide into, and make use of the level change on the site.

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20

1. Kompan Wide embankment slide PCM110203

2. Jupiter play Multi Twin Swing 901035100R

3. Timber play Multi surface Twin Swing 6.12800

4. eibe Cradle nest swing 6.14000

5. Timber play Tyre swing 7.45000

6. Timber play Small Carousel 6.26501

7. Timber play Wobble dish 6.27300

8. Timber play Revolving disc 7.26000

9. Timber play Hut Combination 351 2.13510

10. Tree Trunk from the gardens

11. Timber play Square Mud Table 5.10700

12. Timber play Playground Pump 5.17500

13. Timber play. Mushroom Pump 18000

14. Timber play Kletterstruktur 6.51007

15. eibe Basketball system 5 62 051 0

16. eibe Tennis table 562037 0

17. eibe Hammock Swing Fenia 54500405306

18. Panna football - bespoke size as masterplan shows

19. Timber Play 3m high Swing : 7.14020

20. Bespoke swing for children of all ages. Carved, 3m height timber uprights, based on the Timber Play model above

1 2 3 4


25

Figure 9. Play Strategy

New Planting, And Seating

Textured Paving To Cafe Terrace

14. Climbing Frame

Petanque Court

16. Table Tennis

Mixed Shrub Planting To Boundaries

8. Revolving Disc

17. Hammock swing

Bound Gravel (Petanque Court)

Play Area: Older Childrens

Cafe Kiosk And Seating Terrace

Active Zone

Herbaecous and Shrub Planting

3. Cradle Nest Swing

Stepped Seating Terrace

19. Adult Swings

Safety Surface / Sports Surface

Safety Surface / Sports Surface

Water Pump: Mushroom Pump

Ramp And Planted Slope

15. Basketball Hoop

Grass And Safety Surface

11-13. Rocks, Sand And Water Play ‘Stream’ - with Hand Operated Water Pump

Climbing And Seating Boulders

5. Tyre Swing

Tree Planting And Seating Area

18. ‘Panna’ (Mini) Football

Safety Surface Under Play Equipment

6Small Carousel And Wobble Dish

Resin Bonded, Tarmac Paths

9. Play House:

Landscape Materials And Furniture:

Play Area: Younger Childrens

Tennis Courts And Seating Terrace

Entrance Garden Area:

1. Wide Slide And Slope, With Boulders

Seating Terrace And Viewing Area

Tennis Courts: Refurbished To Lta Standards, 4M Height Fencing


26

Figure 10. Planting Strategy

Legend

A. Shrub beds and Flower lawns

B. The Flower Gardens

C. Shady ‘sublime’ woodland walks

D. Pleasure Garden Play Area Planting

E. Labyrinth Planting

F. Meadow Planting


27

9.0 Planting Strategy

The Vision for Sydney Gardens is to create a 21st Century pleasure garden. Some of the planting layout that already exists broadly follows the original or early planting style, as far as we can tell from the early drawings and plans. (Refer to Conservation Plan, drawings ‘Map 1-9)

The open lawns with surrounding shrubberies are consistent with those descriptions given in the recent Historic England publication, ‘Hardy Plants and Plantings for Repton and Late Georgian Gardens (1780-1820) by Dr Sarah Rutherford, and were described as such in the 1993 Colvin and Moggridge Report on the plantings at Sydney Gardens.

Other areas have been designed to create flower gardens broadly consistent with the late Georgian period, but mindful that the maintenance resources will most likely not be consistent with those of the Georgian period. The planting is therefore less labour intensive (less biennials, half hardy spp) and more robust mixed shrub and herbaceous, but providing a flower garden that visitors can appreciate and enjoy for its floral qualities, colour and scent.

The following pages give a broad outline of the typologies of plants that will differentiate the various character areas, and these will be developed further to include more species at LI / RIBA stage 4.


28

A. Shrub beds and flower lawns

Low shrubs and ground cover perennials to provide foreground to pruned existing shrubs

1. Athyrium filix-femina

2. Dryopteris felix mas

3. Dryopteris affinis

4. Mahonia aquifolia

5. Pulmonaria angustifolia

6. Ruscus hypoglossum

7. Vinca minor

Herbaceous Perennials to provide some colour to largely evergreen backdrop

8. Acanthus spinosus

9. Astrantia major

10. Bergenia cordifolia

11. Geranium phaeum

12. Helenium autumnale

13. Eryngium alpinum

14. Echinops ritro

Perimeter shrubs (largely existing) to provide enclosure, and some floral displays concealed within woody plantings, comprising some ground cover and herbaceous spp to provide colour.

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13 14


29

B. The Flower Garden

1. Acanthus mollis

2. Acanthus spinosus

3. Aconitum napellus

4. Astrantia major

5. Aster novae-belgii and novae-angliae

6. Bergenia cordifolia and other var.

7. Geranium phaeum

8. Helenium autumnale

9. Eryngium alpinum

10. Echinops ritro

11. Iris pallida & other vars

12. Liriope muscari

13. Nepeta x faassenii

14. Polemonium caeruleum

15. Kerria japonica

The flower gardens will be created using a simple, robust but considerably more floral than anything in the gardens at present. They will create colourful settings for the Gardeners Lodge and the ‘Ruinette’ Garden, both areas near the Holburne Museum and provide quieter spaces for more passive activities. These will have mixed floral character (mixed shrub backdrop and herbaceous flowering plants) set within and surrounding lawn, and against the buildings and perimeter walls with seating areas.

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13 14 15


30

C. Shady ‘sublime’ walks

1. Dryopteris felix mas

2. Dryopteris affinis

3. Ruscus aculeatus

4. Helleborus foetidus

5. Iris foetidissima

Along the railway the conditions are naturally shady given the existing trees and the topography of the cutting in which the railway sits. Rather than fell much of the vegetation, some will be selectively removed, where it is crowing out other species, or creating a non-vegetated understory, due to the shade that it creates.

The aim is to have a ‘sublime’ shady walk with a more vegetated understory, which will create a better habitat for wildlife, thus improving biodiversity.

The character will be reinforced with the planting of lower ground cover and pockets of fern and other woodland planting will to create the woodland walk / ‘sublime’ character, using the grandeur of the railway structures as its backdrop. Vegetation will be removed where it is crowing out other species, or shading out the understory.

The aim is that this will be the wilder part of the garden with a more vegetated understory creating a better habitat for wildlife and improved biodiversity. The character will be reinforced with the planting of lower ground cover and pockets of fern and other woodland planting.

1 2

3 4

5


31

D. Pleasure Garden Play Area Planting

As a newly designed area, the aim is to have the play elements set in a mixture of lawns (grass reinforced with rubberised safety surface) and rubberised coloured surface as well as coloured concrete and rocky water rills. Planting will be set within this, where feasible given the likelihood of trampling by children.

The area will be surrounded by a 900mm perimeter railing. This will be set within planting on the garden side to soften its appearance from the rest of the gardens, as well as create a garden feel to the play areas. Similarly there will be planting along the gardens boundary wall and proposed railing. This railing must be installed to safeguard the existing drop of over 1.5m down to pavement level, with only a 400mm height upstand wall to the bowling green side, which currently does not meet any safety standards regarding protection of falls from heights.

E. Labyrinth Planting

The planting along this boundary will create a garden feel to the area and extend to the new café terrace, which will have simple low level planting (lavender, grasses and drought tolerant species, ground cover roses, Geranium spp) and light canopied trees (mountain ash spp)

Bold foliage planting and robust grasses (Fatsia japonica, Hakonenchloe japonica) will be planted in the play area to give it structure yet some resilience given its likelihood to trampling.

The stepped, seating terraces that take up the change of levels and create informal setting, will also be softened with planting, to give a planted slope where shown. These will be interspersed with Bath Stone boulders to continue the theme of rocky outcrops, taken from the less orderly, ‘sublime’ concept. (Species to include tough, ground cover shrubs, eg Cistus spp, Lonicera pileata, Rosa (ground cover – thornless varieties)

1. Fatsia Japonica

2. Hakonenchloe spp.

This is to either be marked out with grasses, structural (upright) grass such as Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, with mown paths between, or simply be mown into the existing lawn.

1. Calamagrostis acutiflora’ Karl Foerster’

1

2

1


32

F. Meadow Planting

This area is the former (non-designated) allotment area, which is to be opened up, with the existing entrance being brought back into use.

The area is on a relatively steep slope, so its character will capitalise on the views towards the distant Camden Crescent and ‘Rus in Urbe’ Bath skyline, and be simple wildflower meadow cut twice a year with seating and paths. The paths will leading through the existing shrubbery and mature trees to reconnect with the rest of the gardens.

1. Achillea millefolium

2. Anthyllis vulneraria

3. Centaurea nigra

4. Centaurea scabiosa

5. Clinopodium vulgare

6. Daucus carota

7. Galium verum

8. Lotus corniculatus

9. Onobrychis viciifolia

10. Primula veris

11. Briza media

12. Cynosurus cristatus

13. Koeleria macrantha

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13


33


34


35

10.0 Ecology

Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

An extended Phase 1 habitat survey and report was carried out for Sydney Gardens in late 2017, by Wild Service ecologists. It is titled Sydney Gardens, Bath - Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and Building Inspection for Bats (WS192 Sydney Gdns Prelim Ecology Assess_and bat report_2017.pdf) It is submitted with the planning application.

The survey indicated that Minvera’s Temple (Target note 17 in the report) was identified as having high bat roost potential at all times of year, with bat access through an open loft hatch high in the ceiling of the stone temple, into an enclosed and undistrubed loft void. The other buildings and structures on the Site were assessed as having negligible bat roost potential. The trees that were assessed provided negligble roosting opportunities to bats.

No other protected species were found, and the full report gives recommendations to imporve the biodiversity potential by diversifying planting and including different management regimes of grass amongs others. These have been adopted into the proposals to date, or will be (in the case of planting plans and habitat management) developed in the detailed and full planting plans. Overall the proposals have an improvement in the biodiversity of the gardens by:

• diversity of nectar rich planting• better management of existing shrub belts to

increase species diversity to include flowering / berry rich spp, and more ground flora (eg along railway and other shrub beds)

• introduction of more spp diversity to grassland and former allotment area.

• Creation of deadwood areas within some shrub areas.

Bat Hiberation Survey

As a result of the extended Phase 1 habitat survey, A further bat survey titled ‘Sydney Gardens, Bath WS323/R1/V1 Bat Hibernation Survey’ (WS323_Sydney_Gardens_Hibernation_Survey_Report_20180703.pdf) was undertaken in Feb 2018 and repeated the previous survey information from summer surveys in 2014.

This was specifically for Minerva’s Temple, as this is the sole building within the gardens with bat interest, according to Wild Service who were commissioned to undertake the survey works.

From surveys completed this winter and in previous summers, we know that the most sensitive time for bats using Minerva’s Temple is likely to be May to July and November to February, and additional surveys are unlikely to tell us anything different.

We have therefore submitted a detailed method statement alongside all the data we have recorded so far which is written according to the works proposed to carry out restoration on Minerva’s Temple. See ecology report refered above.


36

Figure 10. Proposed Buildings Strategy (Site-wide)

Legend

New building

Restored building (includes conservation and repair)

Conservation & repaired (historic structures)

Building detrimental to Significance or aesthetics of the garden, with low architectural merit. Proposed to be demolished.

Structures are under Network Rail responsibility (no work)

No work

Ladies proposed to be moved to improve setting

Ice cream kiosk and Gardeners Lodge both under separate lease which will carry out repairs as part of ex-

isting lease.

Kiosk and Toilets to replace unused and

architurally poor Bowls Pavilion, open up this underused area and

improve setting


37

11.0 Buildings Strategy

Building Strategy

As discussed in Section 7, The Masterplan Proposals, the buildings strategy is a key part of the whole masterplanning process, as the garden has had several structures and buildings added at various times resulting in a slightly ad-hoc collection, with little overall rationale or planning.

The strategy therefore rationalises the many buildings, conserving the historic and finding new uses for existing buildings of any heritage merit, and replacing those with no heritage or architectural merit (bowls pavilion and their associated outbuildings). Unfortunately the existing electric sub-station within the existing depot area cannot be removed.

The conservation and restoration works have been informed by the Sally Strachey Historic Conservation ‘Condition and Recommendation Report – Temple of Minerva, Loggia, Edwardian Toilets, Gate Piers and Ruinette’, dated February 2018.

The following pages set out the proposals and their rationale for the buildings.


38

Individual Buildings Proposalsby MRDA (Architects & Conservation)


40


40

AUTHORS: MRDA Architects & Conservation Consultants

MRDA REF: 2162_D&A PART TWO

DATE: 31st July 2018 REVISION No: A 02.08.18 Typos amended

SYDNEY GARDENS - DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT pART TWO

DESIGNDEVELOPMENT1. INTRODUCTION

2. THE NEW CAFE

3. IMPROVING LINKS FROM THE HOLBURNE

4. THE EDWARDIAN TOILETS

5. THE EXISTING TOILETS

6. THE BOTHY

7. THE LOGGIA

8. MINERVA’S TEMPLE


41Introduction D&A PART 2_31.07.18

This report has been prepared by MRDA Architects and Consultation Con-sultants as part of the Stage 2 HLF development Programme. It forms Part Two of the Design and Access Statement for the project, describing the ap-proach to and development of the building proposals within the Gardens.

The Design is based on the principles of the round 1 HLF application pre-pared by LDA Design for (Bath and North East Somerset Council) BANES.

The Design Team comprises:LDA Design. Lead Consultant, Project Management and Landscape ArchitectMRDA Architects and Conservation ConsultantsHuntley Cartwright Cost ConsultantSSHConservation Conservators

The regeneration of Sydney Gardens provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance a valuable community asset, stimulating the engagement of the local community and visitors to it and fostering the development of a sense of community spirit and ownership of local open space and built heritage while improving vital access to nature and natural play space.

During this stage;

• The design has been developed through a series of workshop sessions and has been presented for public consultation

• Topographical and measured surveys of the Gardens and buildings have been commissioned and completed

• Pre-application advice has been sought form BANES

The scope of the project remains largely the same as that presented to the HLF at Stage 1 - the main developments being that it is now proposed to demolish the existing bowls pavilion due to its poor condition and to utitlise unused space within the modern toilet block. The current architec-tural scope comprises:

• Demolition of the existing bowls pavilion and construction of a new kiosk / cafe with public toilets including a Changing Places facility

• Restoration of the Loggia• Restoration of the Temple of Minerva• Restoration of the male Edwardian toilets. Removal from the HE ‘at risk’

register• Restoration and re-siting of the female Edwardian toilets. Removal from

the HE ‘at risk’ register• Conversion of the existing public toilets to a Community Pavilion• Restoration and conversion of the Bothy to provide a Model of Ex-

change

This report should be read with the public consultation boards, workshop sheets and other consultant’s reports to fully understand the scope of the work.

MRDA drawings accompanying this report

Café_ (2162_C series)As existing Bowls Pavilion plans C.001 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1Bowls Pavilion elevations C.002 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1ProposedCafé site / roof plan C.003 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1Cafégroundfloorplan C.004 1:100@A3&1:50@A1Café elevations C.005 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1Café elevations C.006 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1

Bothy_(2162_B series)As existing Bothyroof&floorplan B.001 1:100@A3&1:50@A1Bothy elevations B.002 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1ProposedBothyroof&floorplan B.003 1:100@A3&1:50@A1Bothy elevations B.004 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1

Toilets_(2162_T series) Toilets_ex. block / site plan T.001 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1Toilets_prop. block / site plan T.002 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1Male toilets_plan & roof plan T.003 1:50 @ A3 Male toilets_elevations T.004 1:50 @ A3 Female toilets_plan & roof plan T.005 1:50 @ A3 Female toilets_elevations T.006 1:50 @ A3 Community building- as existing T.007 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1Community building- proposed T.008 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1

Loggia_(2162_L series) Loggia_floorplan L.001 1:50@A3Loggia _ roof plan L.002 1:50 @ A3 Loggia _ elevations L.003 1:50 @ A3

Minervas Temple_(2162_MT series) M.Temple_roof&floorplan MT.0011:[email protected]_elevations MT.002 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1M.Temple_sections MT.003 1:100 @ A3 & 1:50 @ A1


42The new cafe / kiosk D&A PART 2_31.07.18

The Bowls pavilion / new Cafe The existing pavilion provides 90sq. metres of accommodation in a single storey structure. The pavilion has been empty since the Sydney Gardens Bowls Club closed in 2016 (due to a decline in membership). It is in poor condition with little thermal insulation. It will be demolished and replaced with a new single storey pavilion / kiosk that will provide a cafe and toilets for the new play areas.

‘The existing build is of little merit and there is no objection to demolition and rebuild. To a design which responds positively to the context already provided by the gardens. Both design and materials need to be capable of longevity ....’CarolineWaldronBANESSeniorConservationofficer2018

Options for the new cafe were explored and costed.

Option ONE provided internal seating which could be divided to provide lettable space. This proved too expensive and it was decided that letta-ble space could be better provided in the rear of the existing public toilet block which is closer to parking and has better evening access.

Option TWO was modelled on a Hyde Park kiosk and could be serviced from the Holburne Museum. It provided no internal seating.

Option THREE (see below) at 72 sq. metres (internal) this will provide a small amount of internal seating over looking the children’s’ play area and the plaza and public toilets including a Changing Places facility. The cafe could be serviced from the Holburne Museum to reduce the need for asso-ciated storage and staff facilities.

The new cafe will sit at the end of the new landscaped plaza. The building is sited to provide a buffer to the noise from Beckford Road. The area be-tween the back of the cafe and the boundary wall will be utilised for refuse and general storage all concealed by the existing stone boundary wall to the Gardens. The wall, the retained trees and the distance over Beckford Road to the houses on the other side combine to minimise the impact of the building and its uses on the houses. The building will have a sedum roof and an oak loggia to the plaza, it will utilise existing drainage and power supplies.

Precedent Study; a typical Hyde Park c. 5m x 2.5m, supported by a central kitchen and toilets.

OPTION ONE; 115 SQ. METRES WITH INTERNAL SEATING. TOO EXPENSIVE

OPTION TWO; 44SQ. METRES. NO INTERNAL SEATING.

Existing Bowls Pavilion

New cafe. Concept sketch. ‘A pavilion linking to the landscape’


43The new cafe. Preferred Option 1:50@A3 D&A PART 2_31.07.18

Covered area

Servery Serviceyard /

buffer zone to

Beckford Road

Servery 12.5 sq.m

Changing Places WC with baby change 12sq.m

Area 11sq.m

Seating 13sq.m

Store / kitchen

Staff wc

Covered loggia

Views over play area

Kiosk service yard / buffer zone to Beckford Road

Friends’ tool store / buffer zone to Beckford Road

Links to ‘the Stage’

Public toilet

Public toilet

Cleaning /access duct

Building gross area; 82sq.metres(existing Bowls Pavilion 90 sq.m)


44

Existing southern elevation

Stone boundary wall

Oak columns set out to form colonnade, spacing to Golden Ratio

5.1m

etre

s to

ridg

e

Line of existing

bowls pavillion 4

met

res

to fr

ont

Proposed southern elevation

The new cafe. Elevations 1:100 @ A3 D&A PART 2_31.07.18


45

Existing western elevation

Existing bowls pavilion

Proposed western elevation

Beckford Road

Beckford RoadPlanted buffer & service yard

Line of bowls pavilion

Oak colonnade

The new cafe. Side elevation 1:100@A3 D&A PART 2_31.07.18


46

Proposed cross section

Beckford Road

Planted buffer & service yard

Green roof, drops to Beckford Road

Oak colonnade

Masonry wall to rear elevation , stone as

boundary wall

The new cafe. Cross section 1:50@A3 D&A PART 2_31.07.18


47Links to the Holburne D&A PART 2_31.07.18

Public toilets(majority empty)

Ed’maletoilets

Ed’femaletoilets

‘Backs’ of buildings on important route

To the Holburne

Gardener’s Lodge

To Beckford Road

‘It is crucial that any scheme achieve greater reintegration between the gardens and the Holburne Museum.............to open up the significant rela-tionship between the building and the gardens.‘

CarolineWaldron,BANESSeniorConservationOfficer2018

Analysis;

• The Grade II listed Edwardian toilets are in poor condition and on the HE ‘at risk’ register

• The setting of the Edwardian toilets has been compromised by the con-struction of the modern toilet block

• The modern toilet block contains a unisex and accessible toilet. The majority of the building is vacant

• Link to the Holburne Gallery is poor


48Links to the Holburne - Options D&A PART 2_31.07.18

OPTION ONE - REFURBISH IN SITU

OPTION THREE - DEMOLISH MODERN TOILET BLOCK

OPTION TWO - RELOCATE FEMALE EDWARDIAN TOILETS LOCALLYpREFERRED OpTION

OPTION FOUR - RELOCATE FEMALE EDWARDIAN TOILETS TO NEW ‘PLAZA’ OPTION FIVE - RELOCATE BOTH EDWARDIAN TOILETS TO NEW ’PLAZA’

All options aspire to remove the Edwardian toilets from the ‘at risk’ register.OpTION 1; Restore the Edwardian toilets in situ. Re-purpose as kiosks / in-terpretation pavilions. Convert the empty area of the modern toilet block to provide a Community Room (activity / meeting space) & a Changing Places WCPLUS - Retain the Edwardian toilets in situMINUS-limited improvement to the route from the Holburne to the Gardens. The setting of the female toilets is still compromised by the modern toiletsOpTION 2; Relocate the Edwardian ladies’ toilets locally. Refurbish the emp-ty space within the existing public toilet block as above. Form openings / access onto the path between the Holburne & the wider gardens. Restore the male toilets to provide a kiosk / interpretation point. PLUS -improve the setting of the female toilets and orientate them towards a public route. Re-orientate the modern toilet block to the public routeMINUS - suitable / sustainable uses for the historic toilet buildingsOpTION 3; Demolish the modern toilet block . Make landscape improve-ments to the setting of the Edwardian toilets. Restore the male toilets to provide general public toilet provision - this is likely to be for EVENTS ONLY, as unsupervised public toilets in the park are unlikely to be acceptable to BANES, locking / unlocking is unlikely to be funded. Restore the female toilets to provide a kiosk or interpretation pointOpTION 4; Relocate the ladies’ toilets adjacent to the new cafe to provide, supervised, summer season toilets. Refurbish the empty space within the existing public toilet block as Option 2. Restore the male toilets to provide a kiosk / interpretation point.PLUS- Retain the male toilets in situ. Create a better link between the Hol-burne & the wider park. Utilise unused space within existing buildingMINUS- Remove the Ladies’ toilets from their original settingOpTION 5; Relocate both of the Edwardian toilets to provide kiosk & toilets adjacent to the new play areaPLUS- Sustainable use for the toilets as kiosksMINUS-Listedstructuresremovedfromtheiroriginalsetting&difficultiesofrefurbishing listed structures to provide year round accessible toilets


49The Edwardian toilets D&A PART 2_31.07.18

Edwardian Toilets

The Edwardian toilets are listed Grade II. They are locked and in a poor state of repair and are currently on the Historic England ‘ at risk’ register.

‘Part of the character of the listed toilets stems from them being grouped together in their original location. .........the main problem with the ladies toilets is the modern toilet block that has been built in front of them......... condition surveys are needed to inform this element of the scheme’.CarolineWaldron,BANESSeniorConservationOfficer2018

Possible uses include;• A museum about the history of waste• Ninfarium• A living museum• Kiosk• Toilets(therewillbedifficultiesre-purposingtheEdwardiantoiletsas

properlyfunctioningtoiletsthatareaccessible,haveasufficientde-gree of privacy and are safe to use)

• Fernery• An interpretation point• Tool store• Ticketing booth• Art installations/ exhibition space• Art/ education workshop spaces• Cosmorama installation• Run a competition for ideas + seek sponsorship/ other funding in the

Delivery Phase

The viability of the above will continue to be explored through the next stageuntilthemostappropriatesustainableuseisidentified.

The condition of the Toilets was surveyed by A Thearle of Ironart ltd, Bath with Sally Strachey Historic Conservation (SSHC) in 2018 and their Condition and Recommendation Report should be read with this document.

The overall approach to the repair is to achieve as sound a structure as reasonably possible it is not the intention to restore them as working toilets. Priority will be given to restoration of the external envelope with the interiors elements being stabilised and conserved whilst a sustainable use for the structuresisidentified.

Existing male toilets

Restored toilets in use - Melbourne

Detail Detail

Male toilets as existing. c. 20sq.metres

Refurbishment as public toilets is not feasible due to access, privacy and safety issues.

Refurbished as a kiosk. Subject to approval from Historic England for possi-ble relocation and interior alterations.

WC WC

Accessible WC

Accessible WC & baby change Wash hand basins

Cubicle

Urinals

Urinals

Nar

row

pas

sage

Display

Sales

Sketch of toilets re-purposed as a kiosk


50Proposal for the modern toilets D&A PART 2_31.07.18

The modern toilets

The modern toilets currently provide two accessible toilets with a baby change facility. The rear of the building is empty and the feasibility of bring-ing this area into use has been explored.

Creating a Community pavilion

The intention is to re-purpose this underused building as a Community Pavil-ion and relocate the public toilets within the new cafe where the need will be higher.

The pavilion with the Gardener’s Lodge and restored Edwardian toilets will provide a cluster of buildings around an outdoor space linking the Gardens and the Holburne and building on the existing triangular relationship be-tween the Gardens, the Holburne and the community.

Together, the buildings will provide a programme of activities for children and community groups. Many programmes are delivered within Sydney Gardens already and there is a need for more. By combining the Garden-ers Lodge with the proposed new Community Pavilion close by there is an opportunity to expand the programmes.

The proposed creation of an outdoor space largely enclosed by the four buildings would enhance the experience. The cluster of buildings will offer a range of community engagement projects.

Vacant area within modern toilet block

Public toilets

Rear of block is blank

Form new links to the landscape / building ‘cluster’

New opening

Sketch proposals to improve the existing toilet block

New roof-light


51Proposal for the modern toilets D&A PART 2_31.07.18

Kitchen

The Community pavilion

• Refurbish existing toilet block to form a meeting room / workshop.• Open up links from the building to the landscape as part of strengthen-

ing the links to the Holburne• New roof-lights • Links to existing services• Relocate public toilets to the new cafe and adjacent to the children’s’

play area and ‘plaza’.

Accessible toilet

Stor

age

New opening

New opening

9.7 m / 32 feet

4.6

m /

15f

eet

New opening

New opening

Community Room45q.m / 380sq.ft

Lobby


52The Bothy D&A PART 2_31.07.18

Bothy

The Bothy was built as an electricity substation in around 1931/32. It is not listed.

In recent years the Bothy has been used as a storage place for mowers and a base for the on-site gardener. The gardener is no longer on-site, but the building is still used for storage of equipment

The building will be refurbished as a ‘model of exchange’ residency space: a resident social art collective / games or play provider / designer / mak-er having free workshop space in return for providing set number of hours of free public participatory activity in the park over a year, for example through workshops, games, making, play etc

The aim is for the Bothy to be a key facility in widening participation and learning in the park, in relation to play, learning, the arts and well-being and to do this through an experimental and innovative set up.

This underused building therefore provides a unique opportunity to exper-iment with a ‘model of exchange’. It could provide an affordable and usable space for an artist collective, in exchange for enabling and deliver-ing a free programme of activities for park users, communities and neigh-bourhoods.

Following refurbishment of the building, the Bothy could be handed to an Artist / Creative collective for a 2-3 year residency for no rental cost, in ex-change for 350 hours of community engagement per year - an exchange for a service, not a monetary exchange. A further opportunity exists for the area to the southwest side of the Bothy that is currently overgrown and unused, into a safe outside workshop area, which could provide meeting space for school groups, biodiversity interest groups. It could also provide flexiblespacedependingonarrangements,providingstoragespacethatcould meet needs of other groups, for example, lockable storage accessi-ble for community groups such as The Friends.

The open area to the South West side will provide an outside workshop space and tool / equipment storage for the Friends of Sydney Gardens (FoSG) and the Canal & Rivers Trust (CRT) Volunteers

As existing exterior

As existing interior

Benefits

• A sustainable participatory programme built into the long term future of the park

• Delivers an inventive and integrated programme of activity for all ages• Partners and collaborates with the Holburne Museum as key arts and

education provider;• Utilises and energises the park with a programme for all ages• Innovates creative activity in the park• Innovates ways of engaging with the public;• Provides a meeting point for groups using the park• Enables further funding to be raised by using the ‘in-kind’ studio space

as leverage;• Creates a model that will generate interest from other green space

managers and providers;• Animates a building in an innovative way• Group in residence keeps a ‘presence’ in the park; and• Has a long term creative impact on the park.

Outline scope of work

• Open up windows to the front of the building;• Form a new glazed door on to the adjacent open space to create

access onto back open space (with external security shutters)• Provide an one accessible toilet (new drainage connection into the

existing mains drainage on Sydney Road)• Provide work area, with desk, table surface and sink• Provide heating• Lockable storage • Wifienabled• Remove overshadowing Yew and Holly trees • Clear scrub to southwest side of to create outdoor workspace• Provide a green roof to increase biodiversity and reduce water run-off• Secure external storage


53The Bothy D&A PART 2_31.07.18

Proposed exterior

IN

New doors

Toolstore

Outdoor work-space

New gates

WC

Rooflightover

9.2

metres / 30 feet

5.8 metres / 19 feet

Proposed entrance elevation Proposed side elevation

Proposed cross section Outdoor workshop

BOTHY - internal area 46sq.metres


54The Loggia D&A PART 2_31.07.18

The Loggia

The Loggia is listed Grade II.

The Loggia is a partially enclosed classical structure which forms the rear el-evation of Sydney House. It consists of a rectangular structure with an apse portico to the south formed from pairs of pillars with a series of openings between. In construction it is a mixture of cast concrete and more tradi-tional stone built sections. The Loggia was originally constructed inthe C18th with a double curved frontage and partially rebuilt in the C20th where it was reduced in size and changed to its current shape. The change of shape is clearly visible in the plans of the park where it is shown in its original shape in the plans from 1904 and earlier and the current shape in the plans produced from 1951. This rebuilding explains the use of cast concrete in the construction of the roof and the apparent good con-dition of the remaining stonework (SSHC 2018).

The Loggia is currently somewhat dingy and sometimes attracts anti social behaviour.

The condition of the loggia is was surveyed by Sally Strachey Historic Con-servation in 2018 and their Condition and Recommendation Report should be read with this document.

The overall approach to repair of the Loggia is to achieve as sound a structure as reasonably possible, to halt deterioration caused by defects and to replace, where possible without loss of original building fabric, inappropriate repairs only if they are causing damage. It is not intended to reinstate the original pristine condition of the Loggia, but to retain as much historic fabric as possible together with a gentle patina of aging, commen-surate with the atmosphere within the Gardens. The stonework will not be cleaned. The benches will be retained and the interior redecorated based on paint analysis.

In April the Loggia was successfully used for a stone carving demonstra-tion by Sally Strachey and team as part of the FoSG & Project Community Day (also World Heritage Day) and the aspiration is to utilise the building for such uses whilst bringing it back into more day to day use as a place of contemplation and relaxation within the gardens.

As well as the repairs and conservation mentioned above interpretive ma-terialwillbeprovidedwithintheLoggiaspecifically;• Aninterpretivepanelwillbefixedontheconnectingdoortothegar-

dens of Sydney House at the back of the Loggia showing two life-size Georgian visitors coming into the gardens

• On the wall space on either side of the entrance from the Loggia to the Gardens interpretive illustrations will be placed within new framed archesminimallyfixedtotheexistingstructureandshowingtheviewfrom the loggia in Georgian and Victorian times. Each illustration would have minimal text in the style of a label for a painting

View up to the Loggia View from the Loggia to the Gardens


55Minerva’s Temple D&A PART 2_31.07.18

Minerva’s Temple

Minerva’s Temple is listed Grade II

The Temple is a large classical structure constructed from brick and faced with thin sections of Bath stone. To the front there are four large Corinthian columns supporting an ornate tympanum with a highly detailed depiction ofMinervaflankedbynumerousfigures.TotherearthereareanumberofCorinthian pilaster columns which match the larger columns at the front. The structure sits on a low plinth built from squared rubble which is visible on the west and north elevations.

The roof is covered with welsh slate (which appears relatively recent with the inclusion of a hidden plastic lined guttering). The internal structure of the roof is constructed from roughly sawn softwood covered with bitumen felt. The ceiling is formed from sheets of plywood, clearly a later replace-ment for what is assumed to have originally been lathe and plaster.

Internally the walls have been plastered with a strong ash lime plaster with the lower two metres re plastered using a thin skim of gypsum plaster on top of the historic plaster and paintwork. Early decorative schemes to the interior are visible where recent over-paints have failed. Paint analysis shows numerous paint schemes since the construction of the temple.

The Temple, originally constructed as an advert for Bath stone, was moved to its current location in 1909 as part of Bath’s Historical Pageant which althoughnotafinancialsuccesswasverypopularandgaveasignificantboost to the city’s reputation as a historical destination.

The condition of the Temple was surveyed by Sally Strachey Historic Con-servation (SSHC) in 2018 and their Condition and Recommendation Report should be read with this document.

The overall approach to the repair is to achieve as sound a structure as reasonably possible, to halt deterioration caused by defects and to re-place, where possible without loss of original building fabric, inappropriate repairs only if they are causing damage. It is not intended to reinstate the original pristine condition of the Temple, but to retain as much historic fab-ric as possible together with a gentle patina of aging, commensurate with the atmosphere within the Gardens. The stonework will not be cleaned. The benches will be retained and the interior redecorated based on paint analysis.

The building is a central point of interest within the Gardens and will be used as a base for small scale performances and concerts. Interpretation material will be provided comprising;• an illustrative time-line / wall frieze along the top metre of the inter-

nal walls of the Temple. This will illustrate the development of the land now occupied by Sydney Gardens from Bronze Age people, Romans, Saxons, medieval merchants, through the Georgian and Victorian eras to the present day.

• a ceiling painting will show the view of the Gardens in their Georgian heydayasiffroman1802hot-airballoonflight

Minerva’sTempleislistedbuttheceilingismodernandsofixingapaint-ingtoitwillnotadverselyimpactonitssignificanceThewallfriezewillbeinstalledasaseparateunit,minimallyfixedintotheexistingstructure.Itsheight means that it will-not be visible when approaching the Temple from the Gardens.

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