|
This
dis-used
cemetery, begun in the 1770's is located in the Portland and Brunswick
Square Conservation area of the city. The site forms the curtilage of a
grade II* listed lodge building (now a chapel / meeting room) and
includes a number of Georgian memorials that are grade II listed in
their own right, together with a small derelict mortuary chapel on the
"buildings at Risk" register.
The
Council
secured funding mainly through the Big Lottery Fund "Changing Places"
programme. The project brief required making a city park suitable for
modern use but respecting and incorporating the site's past use and
history.
New Leaf
Studio's work involved developing initial design, undertaking public
consultation, progressing detailed designs through planning application
to tendering procedures and seeing the project through to completion.
The
scheme included:
- Improving
the
overall quality of the space, to encourage greater use and discourage
antisocial and illegal activity (including substance abuse and
prostitution)
- Improving
visibility and circulation around the space
- Conservation
of
listed memorials and railings
- Creation of
new
improved entrances with bespoke metal gates and railings
- Working
closely
with international artist Huw Locke who was commissioned to create an
art installation for the site
- Minimising
impact
on archaeology and burials
- Incorporation
of
extensive herbaceous "drift planting" to provide colour, textural and
seasonal interest.
Work on site
commenced
in Spring 2010 and was completed within four months.
 |
