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 glasshouses?

The range of glasshouses 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 Parish Council, along with an enthusiastic team of volunteers, has been working hard on a further submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of the Victorian/Edwardian glasshouses at the walled garden.

The Parish Council is pleased to report that, as of January 2010, the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a development grant of £33,700 towards the production of a detailed proposal for the restoration of the glasshouses. This grant will enable the Parish Council to liaise with Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Structural Engineers to produce a Heritage Lottery Fund second round submission in late 2011.

The full restoration works are likely to cost in the region of £850,000, and it is hoped that we will be successful in securing a HLF grant for a large proportion of this. The remaining funds will be sought from other grant awarding organisations and the Friends of Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden who organise events and fundraising activities at the garden. In addition to this it has been agreed that some funds set aside from the Walled Garden Endowment Fund can also be used.

It is proposed that the greenhouses will be restored to look as visually historically correct as possible, whilst using modern materials to minimise maintenance costs and conform to current Health and Safety regulations. Some of the original features will be restored and reused where possible and practical. Part of the greenhouses will be used for growing plants and running horticultural workshops, another section will be used to display historical information and artefacts relating to the garden. The remaining space will be used as a cafe and exhibition/community space, with a patio area adjacent to the cafe to provide outdoor seating. The yard area at the back of the outbuildings will be levelled and resurfaced. Plans will be displayed here on the website in the near future when they are available.

An experienced Architect has been consulted to advise how best to proceed, and a Conservation Management Plan has been 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 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?  Let us know your thoughts.

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© Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council, 2006