LUC was appointed by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to prepare a master plan to initiate the renaissance of Priory Park, a 17th /18th century landscape park which became a public park in the mid 20th century.
Our approach was to preserve and restore existing remnants of the 18th century landscape whilst reintroducing “lost” features from that period. We also aimed to restore the late 19th century Pleasure Grounds forming the immediate setting for the Priory, to engage contemporary park users.
Using contemporary landscape techniques informed by the park’s history, our scheme delivers a landscape design of exceptional quality where previously there was a tired park with poor, badly used facilities. The scheme works with, not against, the existing qualities of the site, clearing away eyesores and restoring elements of delight for 21st century site users.
The design illustrates LUC's skills in the design and detailing of parks and open spaces, these included:
• public consultation — 2 years of consultations with the community prior to commencement on site.• hard works design — the design, detailing and restoration of historic parks eg. site furniture, paths, ha ha, water features etc.• planting design — detailed design of extensive ‘new perennial planting’, lake edge/aquatic planting & shrubberies, all based on the historic precedent• historic research — research to establish the origins and earlier design phases of the park• design and detailing of water bodies — the original 17th century lake has been restored to its original appearance, the lake was drained and large quantities of silt removed, thus restoring the lakes ecology/bio-diversity• play ground design — detailed design of a new innovative playground using all natural materials and sensitively incorporated into the parkland landscape.• design integration with Paris-based architect Dominique Perrault who won an international RIBA design competition to design the park Café Pavilion• design for new sports facilities including tennis courts and a skate park
This project, which opened in 2008, is an excellent demonstration of LUC’s sympathetic and intelligent approach to the restoration and redesign of public parks via the use of extensive historic research and public consultation. LUC also helped with preparation of the Management & Maintenance Plan and the Park was awarded Green Flag status in Summer 2009.
