Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council took over responsibility for running the Garden from English Partnerships in 2005, so these are early days in planning its future development. 

This section describes some of the initial thinking, but it must be stressed that these are not definite plans and further discussion within the Parish Council and wider community will take place before they are finalised.

The endowment which accompanied the handover of the Garden is intended to finance the ongoing maintenance of the Walled Garden.  However, it does not allow for substantial new investments so funding any new initiatives is, inevitably, an important consideration in deciding how the Garden will develop. 

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A peaceful moment in a busy world

The Parish Council's vision for the garden is to maintain it as a tranquil place, primarily for the peaceful enjoyment of the local community. 

It is not intended that any charge should be made for using the Pleasure Grounds, except for specific events or tours.

The Garden should be maintained in ways which preserve and enhance its historic appeal, but historical authenticity should not override its primary purpose as a relaxing oasis and community resource for today's visitor.

The profile of the Garden is likely to increase over time, both in the local community and more widely, through initiatives such as this website.  While we should welcome visitors from the wider area to share in this special place, we will aim to retain its essentially tranquil and local nature, and avoid it becoming a tourist "destination".

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At this point, priorities for developing the Garden are:

• Building on the appointment of a Gardener/Manager and increased regular Garden opening times, to increase community use of the Garden for peaceful relaxation, tours, education and events

• Continuing to improve and renew existing planting, incorporating species which enhance the character and historic feel of the Garden

• Working with the Friends of Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden to create a sense of an active, well-used and well-loved Walled Garden which generates both produce and enjoyment

• Encouraging the growth of the Friends group to support the development of the Garden and to engage the local community in its future

• Offering some historical interpretation of the Garden for those who are interested in that aspect, so that visitors gain an appreciation of its design and previous use.

Are these the right priorities?  Should we be considering additional changes?  Let us know your views.

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Part of the greenhouse range in its current condition

Probably the biggest decision on the future of the Garden is: what to do about the greenhouses?

The range of greenhouses along the North-East wall is extensive and impressive, but they are in such a poor state that limited refurbishment is not a practical option; the choice is extensive rebuilding, or removal.

Full-scale rebuilding of the whole range is a big and expensive task and would require external funding from sources such as the National Lottery. 

The alternative is a more phased or partial restoration, perhaps over a number of years, without using external funding bodies.  This would allow the work to be done in several phases so we can adapt as we learn.  Of course, though, it would require local people or businesses to find significant funds.

We need to think about how the restored buildings should be used.  It may be impractical to use all the buildings for growing plants - the labour required would be substantial and that level of volunteer input may well not be available.  Alternatively, part of the range could be restored fully as growing space while other parts could be used, for example, as exhibition space, meeting space or a cafe. 

There is also the question of how authentic the restored buildings should be. The glasshouses could be built using entirely authentic materials; or in the style of an Edwardian glasshouse but using modern materials; alternatively they could be modern structures using modern materials.

No decisions have yet been made, but this is an important discussion for the coming months.

The Parish Council is currently applying for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. An experienced Architect has been consulted to advise how best to proceed, and a Conservation Management Plan is being produced to provide the framework for the future of the garden, click here to view the current version.

A Gazeteer, which is a photographic catalogue of the key characteristics of the garden and surroundings, has now been produced. This identifies particular features of the pleasure garden, kitchen garden, glasshouses, fittings and site of the house, stables and drive (click to view).

A number of stakeholders have been identified and a questionnaire was sent out to ask for their comments so that their views could be taken into account when formulating a plan for future restoration work.

What do you think?  Should some or all of the greenhouses be removed and the space put to other uses?  Let us know your thoughts.

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© Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council, 2006