Restore the Stanmer Palm House.

The Palm House

Since 2019 Plumpton Agricultural College and BHCC with partners have been working to restore  Stanmer's Victorian walled garden, build a new Horticultural Centre of Excellence and open as 'One Garden Brighton' which will be a destination garden for the community. After laying abandoned for years the work is now complete and the garden is open to the public for the first time in its history.

The Palm House, near the gates of One Garden Brighton, is one of only three remaining of its kind in England. They were built in the 1950s for local councils and were originally heated. The Walled Garden during this time was a nursery for Brighton & Hove City Council and a space to grow plants for the city parks. 

The Palm House has not been a part of the original restoration project and the ambition is to now restore it and open it for the public to enjoy. This will involve refitting the heating system and reglazing the glass so that it can house exotic plants. Plans include adding a vaulted walkway with viewing platforms and an educational experience showcasing a wide variety of plant species. A mini Kew on our doorstep in fact.

To help get this project underway One Garden Brighton has opened a crowdfunder with a target of £500,000. 

To contribute go to 'Palm House Restoration'. 

Follow "One Garden Brighton' on facebook.

Hove hole

This central circular feature of Hove Recreation Ground dates from its opening in 1891. It once comprised a complete circle of trees which, up to well into the last century, surrounded a bowl-shaped concavity possibly about 15 foot deep. It may have been intended originally as some kind of grotto or fernery.

google earth view 

The circle of trees is now incomplete and, like many other original features of the city's parks & gardens the bowl no longer exists having been filled up sometime in the latter half of the 20th century.

Stanmer Parking Proposals

Larger view here.

Further details:

Notice

Statement of Reasons
Response Form

Petition - Re-wild Hollingbury & Waterhall golf courses.

The leases of both golf courses expire in March 2020. The Tourism, Equalities and Culture Committee (TECC) will meet on 16 January 2020 to review tenders with a view to granting a 25 year lease. Extinction Rebellion Brighton urge TECC to take this unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure that the internationally endangered, wildlife-rich and diverse chalk grassland ecosystems of the two sites can re-generate and flourish, and that eco-friendly community food production and public health, wellbeing and recreational activities are promoted.

Read more & sign petition.

Valley Gardens - one year on.

Stanmer Park restoration starts

Valley Gardens update.

Stanmer woodland management.

Areas of work

Starting tomorrow, thinning out of trees and coppicing is beginning  in three areas – the Water Catcher, Flint Heap and Upper Lodges Wood. 

No memorial trees will be affected by this work.

Access to these areas will be restricted between 8am and 4pm for periods of between one to three days, while work is carried out.

The work is part of the council’s Stanmer Woodland Management Plan, which was approved by the Forestry Commission following citywide consultation earlier this year.

The plan aims to:

• maintain and preserve open access
• build resilience against Ash Dieback and other diseases and ensure existing woodland cover is maintained
• increase biodiversity and protect nationally and locally rare flora and fauna
• produce semi commercial timber extraction of coppice products, wood fuel and timber.

The work is being managed by Pryor and Rikett, a Lewes based forest management company.

A Comment on Valley Gardens Scheme Phase 3

West side of memorial garden

As shown in the initial proposals one wonders if enough thought has been put into maximising  green space. There is certainly no point in putting grass in areas likely to be much trodden or in isolated areas which would increase the maintenance costs, but in areas such as that shown above the existing grassed area could simply be extended outwards at lower cost than for paving and the cost of the extra mowing needed would be minor.

Grass is easier on the eye, better for the environment and reduces run-off to the sewers.

Valley Gardens phase 3 consultation.

Have your say on the design options for the third phase of the Valley Gardens improvement scheme which covers the area around the Old Steine down to the Palace Pier roundabout. 

Brighton Bits thinks that there is too much hard surface in the amenity areas. Why not increase the width of the grassy areas in some places? The extra cost of mowing an extra 500 square yards or so would be negligible.

Consultation at: http://consult.brighton-hove.gov.uk/portal/bhcc/env/proposed_design_old_steine_to_palace_pier

Queen's Park Improvements

BHCC and  Friends of Queen's Park are asking park goers to choose between two very different proposals to enhance the park.

One plan could see the pond improved with more planting and a ‘dipping platform’ created to enable visitors to interact with nature.

The second proposal would see the Quiet Garden improved with new paths opened up to reveal views to the pond, cascade and clock tower.

Both projects were identified in the Queen's Park Conservation Plan and the successful project will be funded with section 106 developer contributions,

Display boards summarising the Conservation Plan are currently on display in the park and there will be an opportunity to speak to council officers in the park on Saturday July 21st  from 1pm to 4pm.

See the consultation on the council website. It closes on August 6.

St. Nicholas Rest Garden

If it was a London square during a sunny lunch time nearly every square metre would be occupied by workers with their sandwiches making the most of their midday break. As it is, this tranquil open space, only 5 minutes from busy Churchill Square, is almost deserted. Is it Brighton's best kept secret or are people put off by the climb up Dyke Road?

Public consultation on the Queen's Park CA

The council has produced a draft Character Statement for the Queens Park conservation area which is on the Historic England ‘at risk’ register.

This Character Statement provides an objective assessment of the character and appearance of the Queen's Park conservation area which will inform future management and development proposals in the area. These may include a tightening of planning controls by introducing an ‘Article 4 Direction’ to remove rights to carry out certain types of works under ‘permitted development’ regulations.

Comments on the draft Queen’s Park character statement, including a possible extension to the conservation area boundary and the potential removal of certain ‘permitted development’ rights, can be made via the Consultation Portal from 9am Monday 23rd April 2018 until 5pm Monday 21st May 2018.

Celebrate spring in the Patch

On Sunday 29th April, from noon to 6pm, the Friends of William Clarke Park, "The Patch", present their annual spring get-together with; live music, stalls, bar, food & games.

Run by volunteers. Donations are welcome to help cover the £2,000+ costs of equipment hire, activities, insurance & publicity.

Stalls (3m pitch):
- £75 catering
- £20 standard commercial
- £10 bric-a-brac/community grp.
Bookings contact: miranda.razz@outlook.com

Tree canopy

Although some parts of the city are leafy Brighton's overall tree canopy cover is only 14.4%. This is below the national average for England at 16% and  compares very unfavourably with the best, Farnham, at 45%. London has 21.9% tree cover.

Brighton & Hove has lost many mature trees to disease and development over the last few years. It would be interesting to know if young trees are being planted at a sufficient rate to improve on the 14.4% figure.

See also: Trees in Brighton - and earlier opinion.

Restorations in Prestpn Park

Work has started to restore and improve the Rose and Coronation Gardens in Preston Park, in a bid to have them looking blooming lovely by the summer.

The Rose Garden

The improvements are being made as part of the Preston Park Conservation Management Plan, developed by consultants, in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council’s Cityparks team and the Friends of Preston Park.

Work in the Rose Gardens will include redesigning and planting the herbaceous borders and installing heritage benches to the bays.

The Coronation Garden project will see wild flowers and meadow grass re-instated, views into the parkland opened up, trees highlighted and brick structures repaired.

Work has already started to reduce the height of hedges in the rose garden borders and clear the beds. Weed infested soil is also being removed and replaced, ready for replanting.

Work to prepare the Coronation Garden for wildflower planting will start soon. The plants have been chosen to be wildlife friendly and increase biodiversity. The existing handrails will also be removed, and new pathways created. Fencing will be installed around the famous twin elms.

The work is being funded by section 106 developer contributions and is due to be completed by the end of the summer.Coronation garden

The two restoration schemes were the subject of a public vote last year when  250 park goers were asked which project should be started first.

The results were very close with the Rose Garden winning by just six votes. However, the council has funding to progress both schemes, so work is starting on both projects.

The Coronation Garden

Rights of way consultation

Footpath to the Chattri

The city council is responsible for maintaining around 159km of public rights of way all over the city, and has recently published a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) setting out its 10 year plan.

Now a public consultation asks those with an interest in the countryside what they think of the council’s proposals to manage footpaths and rights of way in the city.

The plan sets out how the council is planning to improve provision for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and those with mobility issues.

Proposals also include plans to create more opportunities for volunteering and explore new funding sources.

To see a copy of the Brighton & Hove Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2017 - 2027 and take part in the consultation visit the Rights of Way pages at:

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/rightsofway

The consultation closes on 18th May.

Greenway vandalism update.

Further to the earlier post BHCC is not responsible for these lighting bollards. BHCC are however trying to contact the owners presumed to be the original developers.

Stanmer Nursery closing

Stanmer Nursery will cease trading from 1st March 2018.

The nursery is closing to make way for the restoration of the Walled Garden. This has been made possible due to the success of a bid by BHCC to the Heritage Lottery Fund, part of the Stanmer Park Restoration Project.

The old walled kitchen garden  which housed the Nursery will be restored, and a new nursery offering training and education opportunities and enjoyment for the public, will be created.

Stanmer Woods Plan

BHCC Parks Projects Team have put out a draft Stanmer Woodland Management Plan for consultation. The plan will strive to bring the woodland in the Stanmer estate back into active economic management with the aim of sustainable production of timber and woodfuel through the application of sound woodland management practices. This plan will also aim to ensure that the nature conservation, landscape and historic features of the woodland are protected and where practical enhanced. Public access provision will be maintained and the woodland will continue to provide a peaceful and pleasant setting for informal recreational activities.

The draft plan sets out how the woodland can be managed over the next 10 years to:

• Maintain and preserve open access.
• Build resilience against Ash Dieback and other diseases and ensure existing woodland cover is maintained.
• Increase biodiversity and protect nationally and locally rare flora and fauna.
• Produce semi commercial timber extraction of coppice products, wood fuel and timber. 

The plan is also supporting the Stanmer Restoration Project HLF application by:

• Protecting historical, archaeological, and environmental elements on the estate.
• Providing related activities such as rural skills, forest schools and wood based produce.
• Increase the city’s offer for volunteering work such as coppicing, pollarding, scrub clearing and general woodland management practices.

The Stanmer Park Restoration project is a joint initiative between Brighton & Hove City Council, Plumpton College and South Downs National Park Authority and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) .

Ancient woodland

Find out more and make comments.

Public information sessions will be held on Thursday February 1 and Saturday 3 February 2018 at Stanmer Tea Rooms from 9am to midday.

The plan can also be viewed in full on request at Hollingdean Depot Learning and Resource Centre (please contact the parks projects team 01273 294737 to arrange) and will be available at the Stanmer Tea rooms sessions.

The consultation closes on 12th February 2018.