Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal World Heritage Site Plan

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015—2021

Contents

Foreword 4 Introduction 7 Vision 9 Chapter 1 World Heritage Site status and Statement

of Outstanding Universal Value

11

Chapter 2

Managing the World Heritage Site

19

Chapter 3

Current issues affecting the World Heritage Site

23

Chapter 4

Themes, objectives and actions

29

Chapter 5

Action plan

54

Chapter 6

Implementation and monitoring

63

Map 1

World Heritage Site boundary

64

Map 2

Buffer zone

65

Appendix 1

Facts and figures about the World Heritage Site

69

Appendix 2

A short history of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

70

Appendix 3

Planning and policy framework for the World Heritage Site

73

Appendix 4

List of World Heritage Site stakeholders

77

Appendix 5

Outcomes of public consultation

79

Appendix 6

Evaluation of delivery of objectives and actions in WHS Management Plan 2009-2014

96

Appendix 7

English Heritage and National Trust Conservation Principles

101

Appendix 8

Conservation Action Plan 2015-2021

102

Appendix 9

Geodiversity Audit

127

Appendix 10

Landscape Character Assessments

135

Maps

Appendices

Contents

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

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Foreword

Written by Mick Stanley, Right Worshipful Mayor of Ripon

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It is an honour and a privilege to be asked to write the foreword to the Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey World Heritage Site Management Plan. The development of the City of Ripon and Fountains Abbey share the common inheritance left by John and William Aislabie. Both were members of parliament for Ripon, sitting between them for a total of more than 60 years throughout much of the 18th century.

John had Nicholas Hawksmoor erect the country’s tallest freestanding obelisk in Ripon Market Place in 1702 and he began the water garden in 1716. Better known as Fountains Abbey, the World Heritage Site is inscribed as a masterpiece of human genius and an outstanding designed landscape. The genius was John Aislabie who in the second decade of the 18th century had the vision to transform the deep post-glacial valley of the River Skell into the superb water gardens that we see today.

His son William inherited in 1742 when the garden was complete and was another visionary, continuing the work started by his father. He extended the garden further north down the Skell valley, and bought the Fountains estate in 1767 to ensure the backdrop of the ruined abbey became part of the water garden. He ‘improved’ the ruins and created more vistas across the estate, and connected his ‘natural’ garden at Hackfall a few miles away with a carriage drive to Studley Royal. The combined estate remained in private hands until 1966 when purchased by West Riding County Council and has been managed by the National Trust since 1983 and designated a World Heritage Site in 1986.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Foreword

I first visited this special place in the early 1990s, and since moving to Ripon in 2000 have been a regular walker down the Spanish chestnut lined avenue back to Ripon, one of the best walks in Yorkshire.

The natural setting, the underlying geology and the ‘S’ shaped topography of the Skell valley were critical in the development of the water garden, helping to describe where the ponds, canals and follies were located and providing vistas at every turn in the valley.

Long-term planning and evaluation of the management plan is key to the future of this and every World Heritage Site, and partnership is the crucial element in that plan. Without partners no single organisation can bring the necessary expertise and experience into play to ensure the sustainability of a World Heritage Site. The National Trust at Fountains has worked in partnership over a number of years especially with English Heritage and Natural England, and has realised the importance of connecting across cultural and natural heritage interests. Better understanding of those links adds significantly to the way that heritage is conserved, presented and promoted to the public as a World Heritage Site — “Your local place for everyone in the world”.

The Moon Pond and the Temple of Piety

Foreword

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

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The Surprise View of the abbey from the water garden

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Introduction

Introduction About the World Heritage Site Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site is special for its spectacular 18th century landscape and water garden, integrating the ruins of Fountains Abbey.

It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1986 as ‘Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey’.

The site is 822 acres (333 hectares), lies a few miles west of the city of Ripon in North Yorkshire and sits within the Borough of Harrogate and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The 18th century water garden, incorporating some of the largest Cistercian abbey ruins in Europe, shares the landscape with a deer park, Jacobean mansion and a magnificent Victorian church designed by William Burges.

To be inscribed as a WHS, a place must not only demonstrate ‘outstanding universal value’, it must also fit at least one of ten criteria established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The name of the site on the World Heritage List is ‘Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey’, rather than the name the site is usually known by, ‘Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal’. The site was inscribed as a WHS

by UNESCO as ‘a masterpiece of human creative genius’ which is one of the ten WHS selection criteria. Studley Royal is considered an outstanding example of the ‘English’ garden style. The early parts of the garden created by John Aislabie from 1718 are influenced by earlier formal French and Dutch geometric designs though moving in a more naturalistic, English, direction. Instead of imposing a design upon nature, this style worked in harmony with it. Later in the 18th century this move towards a more natural approach progressed further. William Aislabie, John’s son, further developed the garden while maintaining much of his father’s earlier designs at its core. Studley Royal therefore demonstrates the evolving garden tastes of the 18th century in one landscape.

There are other significant buildings and landscapes on the site which contribute towards the WHS status. The abbey ruins are not only a key eye-catcher in the 18th century garden but also of international

importance in their own right, being one of the few Cistercian houses to survive from the 12th century. There are also Fountains Hall, St Mary’s Church, Fountains Mill and the deer park. Together these buildings and landscapes combine to make a harmonious whole which UNESCO considers to be ‘an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble which illustrates significant stages in human history’, another of the ten WHS criteria.

Introduction

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

The National Trust has owned the estate since 1983 and manages the WHS in partnership with Historic England and the English Heritage Trust. The National Trust has around 68 regular staff, 20 seasonal staff and over 400 volunteers that work in a range of roles at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.

Some enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the site, while others are inspired by its history or wish to enjoy its rich diversity of wildlife. Managing the site as a popular visitor attraction whilst still protecting and enhancing the WHS is a complex and challenging task.

Further information about the site is included in: Appendix 1 — Facts and figures about the World Heritage Site Appendix 2 — A short history of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Map 1 — World Heritage Site

Today the WHS welcomes approximately 350,000 visitors every year from the local area and further afield. It is one of the most visited places owned by the National Trust and one of the most popular tourism attractions in Yorkshire. There are many reasons why people choose to visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.

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Location in North Yorkshire and Landscape Setting

Map 1 Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal WHS Management Plan

This is the management plan for the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site. It is a plan for all those with an interest in, and responsibility for, managing the WHS. The UNESCO Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention state that ‘each nominated property should have an appropriate management plan or other documented management system which must specify how the outstanding universal value (OUV) of a property should be preserved, preferably through participatory means’.

UK Government policy aims to ensure a management plan is in place for all UK WHSs.

COUNTY OF NORTH YORKSHIRE A1(M) NEWCASTLE

DURHAM

CUMBRIA

DURHAM

Darlington

Middlesbrough

Whitby

Richmond A6270

A19

Northallerton

A170

A6108

Leyburn

Hawes

A1(M)

Helmsley

Thirsk

Scarborough

The main purpose of the plan is therefore to sustain the OUV of the WHS to ensure it can be passed on for future generations to enjoy. The plan:

Pickering

Masham

Kendal

Ripon

Pateley Bridge A65

A19

Malton

Studley Royal Park & Ruins of Fountains Abbey

B6265 B6160

A61

A64

A59

Skipton

YORK

LANCASHIRE

— sets out what is special about Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal WHS, including a full description of the OUV of the site

A59

Harrogate

A19

A658

Bradford

EAST YORKSHIRE

A64

A61

A627

— identifies key issues affecting the WHS

LEEDS A1(M)

M62

WEST YORKSHIRE

About the plan

— sets out a long-term vision, objectives and action plan for the WHS to ensure the maintenance of its OUV for present and future generations

Selby

M1

A1(M) NOTTINGHAM

Yorkshire Dales National Park Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Pennine Dale Fringe Southern Magnesian Limestone District/Unity Authority Boundary August 2009

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Introduction

The WHS Management Plan for Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal was first published in 2001. This plan is the second review and will run for six years from 2015 to 2021. It builds upon the objectives and actions in the earlier plans. The plan also includes the new Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (SOUV) defining the site’s significance which was approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2012. The successful delivery of the plan relies on all partners working together to achieve the management objectives and actions.

Vision for the World Heritage Site Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site is a special place, loved for generations. It is a place of calm reflection, of delight and exploration, for those who come to discover it now and in the future.

Taking the 18th century pleasure gardens as its core and inspiration, the WHS possesses many layers of an extraordinary history that have shaped the abbey, the parkland, the rural setting and extended further afield to other landscapes.

The designed landscape was inscribed as a WHS in 1986 and since that time the National Trust and its partners have undertaken an ambitious programme of conservation work to restore the gardens to their former splendour, ensuring the outstanding universal value (OUV) of the WHS is sustained for future generations to enjoy. At the same time, facilities for visitors such as the Visitor Centre and Porter’s Lodge interpretation centre have been developed as part of our mission to present and communicate the OUV of the site to as many people as possible.

The abbey cellarium

Our vision, is to build on this work and to ensure the WHS will be: — conserved and enhanced for future generations to enjoy, the genius of the place will be captured and celebrated through delivery of our conservation work — a place which is accessible to all, brought to life for everyone to understand and enjoy — a place cherished by the local community and wider communities of interest and an iconic symbol of Yorkshire — a place where sustainable management sits at the heart of all we do — an exemplary WHS which aims to make a significant contribution to the purposes and functions of UNESCO

Introduction

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The Cascade, Studley Lake and the Tabernacles, by Balthazar Nebot, 1750s

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Chapter 1

Chapter 1: World Heritage Site status and Statement of Outstanding Universal Value This chapter sets out what is special about the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site.

1.1 What is a World Heritage Site?

World Heritage Sites are prime examples of the world’s greatest cultural and/or natural sites. They provide an irreplaceable source of inspiration to everyone, irrespective of where they are located. It is, therefore, vitally important to protect them for future generations. World Heritage Sites have a cultural or natural significance that ‘is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and of importance for present and future generations of all humanity.’

This concept, referred to as outstanding universal value, is set out in the World Heritage Convention of 1972.

There are currently 1031 World Heritage Sites spread across 163 countries (in August 2015) reflecting the rich diversity of the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

Their position on the World Heritage List ensures that they will remain a part of our global heritage for generations to come. It is important to ensure that World Heritage Sites contribute toward UNESCO’s overall goals of peace, security and sustainable development.

‘World Heritage is a building block for peace and sustainable development. It is a source of identity and dignity for local communities, a wellspring of knowledge and strength to be shared.’ Irina Bokava, the Director-General of UNESCO This plan contributes to UNESCO purposes through its learning programme and sharing of good practice on conservation management, its engagement with local communities and other wider communities of interest and its efforts to promote sustainable management.

St Mary’s Church in the Studley Royal Deer Park

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1.2 Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

All World Heritage Sites have a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (SOUV) which sets out the significance of the site, its integrity and authenticity and measures for its management and protection.

The SOUV will guide the management of the site for the foreseeable future.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal’s SOUV was approved by the World Heritage Committee in 2012 and can only be altered with their approval.

There have already been some changes to the planning and management framework described in the SOUV and the amendments follow the Statement below. In addition to the outstanding universal value there are a whole range of national, regional and local values which will inform how the site is managed. These are set out in Section 1.4.

Brief Synthesis

The Surprise View, by A Walker after Balthazar Nebot, 1758

Situated in North Yorkshire, the 18th century designed landscape of Studley Royal water garden and pleasure grounds, including the ruins of Fountains Abbey, is one harmonious whole of buildings, gardens and landscapes. This landscape of exceptional merit and beauty represents over 800 years of human ambition, design and achievement.

Studley Royal is one of the few great 18th century gardens to survive substantially in its original form and is one of the most spectacular water gardens in England.

The landscape garden is an outstanding example of the development of the ‘English’ garden style throughout the 18th century, which influenced the rest of Europe. With the integration of the River Skell into the water gardens and the use of ‘borrowed’ vistas from the surrounding countryside, the design and layout of the gardens is determined by the form of the natural landscape, rather than being imposed upon it. The garden contains canals, ponds, cascades, lawns and hedges, with elegant garden buildings, gateways and statues. The Aislabies’ vision survives substantially in its original form, most famously in the spectacular view of the ruins of Fountains Abbey itself.

The abbey is not only a key eye-catcher in the garden scheme but is of outstanding importance in its own right, being one

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

of the few Cistercian houses to survive from the 12th century and providing an unrivalled picture of a great religious house in all its parts. The remainder of the estate is no less significant. At the west end of the estate is the transitional Elizabethan/ Jacobean Fountains Hall, partially built from reclaimed abbey stone and with its distinctive façade, it is an outstanding example of its period. Located in the extensive deer park is St Mary’s Church, a masterpiece of High Victorian Gothic architecture, designed by William Burges in 1871 and considered to be one of his finest works.

Key Components Studley Royal Park, including the ruins of Fountains Abbey, combines into one harmonious whole buildings, gardens and landscapes constructed over a period of 800 years. All, important in their own right, have been integrated into a continuous landscape of exceptional merit and beauty. Its principal components are: Studley Royal: one of the few great 18th century ‘green gardens’ to survive substantially in its original form, arguably the most spectacular water garden in England. The landscape garden is an outstanding example of the development of the ‘English’ garden style throughout the 18th century, which influenced the rest of Europe. The garden contains canals and ponds, cascades, lawns and hedges, with elegant temples and statues used as eye-catchers. The layout of the gardens is determined by the form of the natural landscape, rather than a design that is imposed upon it. The Aislabies’ design survives substantially in its original form.

Chapter 1

Fountains Abbey ruins: a key element in the garden scheme, providing the spectacular culmination to the principal vista, but also of outstanding importance in their own right. It is one of the few Cistercian houses surviving from the 12th century and provides an unrivalled picture of a great religious house in all its parts.

Fountains Abbey, founded in 1132, soon became one of the largest and richest Cistercian abbeys in Britain, before being closed by Henry VIII in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It was partially demolished soon after.

Jacobean Fountains Hall: an outstanding example of a building of its period and partially built with stone from the Abbey.

It has a distinctive Elizabethan façade and is enhanced by a formal garden with shaped hedges. The interior of the Hall has been adapted for successive uses, including a courthouse.

St. Mary’s Church: an outstanding example of High Victorian Gothic architecture by one of its leading exponents, William Burges, in 1871, and considered to be one of his finest works.

A building of importance in its own right, it has also been successfully integrated into the landscape of the Park. The church is one of a pair: its twin is Christ the Consoler at Skelton-on-Ure. They were both designed by Burges and built using the same craftsmen.

John Aislabie in the robes of the Chancellor

Criteria Criterion (i): Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey owes its originality and striking beauty to the fact that a humanised landscape was created around the largest medieval ruins in the United Kingdom. The use of these features, combined with the planning of the water garden itself, is a true masterpiece of human creative genius.

Criterion (iv): Combining the remains of the richest (Cistercian) abbey in England, the Jacobean Fountains Hall, and Burges’ miniature neo-Gothic masterpiece of St Mary’s, with the water gardens and deer park into one harmonious whole, Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey illustrates the power of medieval monasticism, and the taste and wealth of the European upper classes in the 18th century.

Integrity

Authenticity

The Studley Royal Park was at its most extensive under the ownership of William Aislabie in the latter part of the 18th century. It is one of the few great 18th century gardens to survive substantially in its original form. The landscape design has been little altered by subsequent owners, who mainly respected and only modestly enhanced the original designs by their additions. However, many landscape features disappeared and the maintained part of the gardens contracted due to lack of maintenance. A number of decaying buildings and landscape features from the late 18th century were also removed and parts of the estate were sold into different ownerships. Despite the changes to the estate, the attributes which express the outstanding universal value remain intact and are still evident today. The integrity and authenticity of the ruins of Fountains Abbey is high as is that of St Mary’s Church and Fountains Hall.

The property as a whole has high authenticity in terms of form and design, materials, function, location and setting of features of the great 18th century designed landscape. However, in common with many other cultural sites, particularly those that develop in an organic way such as parks and gardens, both the fabric and design of the landscape at Studley Royal have been continually altered, first throughout the period of inception (up to c. 1781) and thereafter by a mixed process of maturity, modification, ageing and decline. Natural growth, impact of climatic events and development can have both positive and negative impacts on the landscape, as can later design interventions and alterations to its physical fabric.

There have been numerous conservation interventions since inscription which were necessary to ensure the outstanding universal value of the property was maintained. Conservation works in the garden, to the many garden buildings and to the Abbey and other buildings have adhered to good conservation practice and have been thoroughly researched and documented. Fountains Hall, Porter’s Lodge and the Cistercian Water Mill have been sensitively reused to enhance visitor enjoyment of the site. The water garden has been affected by climatic events, such as flooding, and pragmatic modifications, such as the use of modern engineering technology, has enabled conservation of the water garden design.

The World Heritage Site boundary largely follows the area in National Trust ownership rather than the extent of the historic estate. Therefore some important elements of the designed landscape lie outside the World Heritage Site boundary and may be vulnerable to change. The proposed buffer zone, arising out of the Management Plan process, would protect the integrity of the wider historic estate.

Fountains Hall

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Protection and Management Requirements (2012) The UK Government protects World Heritage Sites in England in two ways.

Firstly individual buildings, monuments, gardens and landscapes are designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act and secondly through the UK spatial planning system under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

National guidance on protecting the Historic Environment (Planning Policy Statement 5) and World Heritage (Circular 07/09) and accompanying explanatory guidance has been recently published

by Government. Policies to protect, promote, conserve and enhance World Heritage Sites, their settings and buffer zones can be found in regional plans and in local authority plans and frameworks.

World Heritage status is a key material consideration when planning applications are considered by the Local Planning Authority. The Harrogate Borough Council Local Development Framework contains policies to protect the property.

Since 1983, the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate has been owned and managed by the National Trust in partnership with English Heritage. English Heritage is responsible for conservation of the abbey under a guardianship agreement. St Mary’s Church is owned by the State and managed by the National Trust under a local management agreement. Whilst currently not within

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the World Heritage Site boundary, later land additions to the National Trust estate hold significant historical features that had become isolated, including the Swanley Grange part of the monastic grange complex and How Hill, a scheduled monument, which also contains one of John Aislabie’s earliest 18th century eye-catchers.

The estate is important for its recreational values and has an unusually long history of tourism, beginning in the 17th century.

Each year over 300,000 people come to the paying area and an estimated 150,000 people visit the deer park. Visitor income generated on the estate is retained on site and used for conservation and access projects. The National Trust monitors the number of visitors who come to the estate and their physical impact on the landscape to inform access arrangements and ensure the necessary protection of the site. Although damage is considered to be relatively limited there are some areas of concern including the presence of vehicles in the deer park, the intrusive car park at Studley Lake, wear and tear on the footpaths and damage to the lawns (after excessive rainfall) caused by walking on the grass. The National Trust has developed a Conservation for Access Toolkit which measures the impact of visitors on the site and provides management recommendations to protect the site in the future. The main visitor facilities, services and car parking are provided at the Visitor Centre to protect the character of the historic area from intrusive modern developments and to minimise the impact of cars on the historic landscape.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

There are a range of statutory and nonstatutory designations on the property.

Fifty four buildings and structures on the site have been listed under the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act 1990 as buildings of special architectural and historical interest. The abbey and its surrounds are a scheduled monument.

The whole site is Grade 1 on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens in England. The majority of the site also lies within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Detailed protection of the site is also provided by Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Development Framework.

A proposal arising out of the Management Plan is being progressed to create a buffer zone to protect the setting of the World Heritage Site. The buffer zone was approved by the World Heritage Committee in July 2012. Additional non-statutory protection is afforded by the Nidderdale AONB Management Plan, the Environment Agency’s Catchment Flood Management Plans and Harrogate Borough Council’s Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation designation.

The World Heritage Site Management Plan for Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal was reviewed in 2009. A wide audience was involved in developing the plan. The key priorities set out in the plan include the restoration of the garden and parkland, production of a Conservation Management Plan, protecting the setting of the World Heritage Site through a buffer zone, water management and adapting to climate change, promoting sustainable management, improving environmental performance, engaging people and partnership working. Delivery of the World Heritage Site Management Plan is monitored by a Steering Group which includes the National Trust, English Heritage, Harrogate Borough Council and ICOMOS-UK. The Steering Group also coordinates an annual stakeholder event involving a wider range of partners, including Natural England, Nidderdale AONB, the Environment Agency, local community groups and neighbouring landowners.

Protection of the estate’s artefacts and chattels collection is currently provided by various agencies. Other than the Trust, the main repositories are English Heritage and North Yorkshire County Council.

Visitor Centre

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The protection and management requirements for the site have changed since 2012. This has included considerable changes to the UK planning system and policy framework. The Harrogate Borough Council planning position has changed as a result of the new planning requirements. The current planning framework is set out in Appendix 3.

The Steering Group membership has also been widened since the SOUV was approved and now includes North Yorkshire County Council, Historic England and the English Heritage Trust.

1.3 Defining the attributes of the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site The Statement of Outstanding Universal Value sets out a summary of the World Heritage Committee’s reasons why the site is of international importance. All World Heritage Sites have been asked to define the attributes of outstanding universal value (OUV) to help with the management of the site. Attributes are aspects of a World Heritage Site which are associated with, or express, its OUV. Within the decision making process, they should assist with the assessment of the impact of any proposed change to the site or in its setting. It will be a priority over this plan period to work with partners to define the attributes of the OUV of the WHS.

A red deer next to Studley Lake

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1.4 Other values associated with the WHS In addition to the outstanding universal value, there are a range of other values which guide how the site is managed. The World Heritage Convention 1972 places value on both cultural and natural heritage and recognises the need to preserve the balance between the two. Although inscribed on the World Heritage List as a cultural site, the natural environment (biodiversity and geodiversity) is an integral part of the site. There are also important archaeological and historic sites not referred to in the SOUV. Finally, the site has enormous value as a tourist destination and the social, cultural and economic values of the site are set out below.

1.4.1 Archaeological values The surface beauty of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal rests literally and intellectually on an outstanding archaeological resource. This reflects periods of the past no longer very visible in the landscape, commencing with prehistoric remains dating back to the Neolithic period and including a significant (if elusive) Romano-British occupation. Place name evidence reflects a sophisticated use of the landscape in the early medieval period, before the establishment of the abbey. After its foundation, half of the present property was owned by the monks, the rest an independent, vanished, medieval village — Studlei Magna — whose remains extend over some 330 acres. This is archaeology of at least regional and often national value.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

The warming room in the abbey

The abbey has long been the subject of antiquarian and archaeological research, creating a false sense that its archaeology has been fully investigated. In reality, the majority of the monastic precinct, and even extensive deposits in and around the cloistral complex, remain intact and largely unexplored. This is a vast resource, integral to the international values of the site, which might be investigated to add more to our understanding of the life and development of the abbey. The same can be said of Studlei Magna, where an even smaller proportion has been explored.

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The archaeological potential of designed landscapes is less overt than that of medieval abbeys or villages, but just as important. On sites such as Studley Royal, it is probably even more important, as it has the potential to tell the detailed story of the designed landscape which is the reason for the estate’s WHS inscription, and therefore is of international value.

All gardens evolve over time, often creating a far more significant archaeological record than documentary one. This has been proven to be the case time and time again at Studley Royal over the past 25 years.

The site’s archaeology has been quite well mapped, but the potential for further discoveries or more detailed investigation remains considerable.

In addition to these highlights in the estate’s history there is a range of other elements that have left significant archaeological record, not least the domestic life of the lost Studley Hall in the deer park, and the occupation and development of the Fountains estate between 1540 and 1767.

Archaeological resources are all a) unique, b) highly sensitive and vulnerable to ill-informed management and c) an irreplaceable resource. It is crucial to understand this resource as well as possible to avoid inadvertent damage, optimise what is learnt from unavoidable interventions, and find means of investigation that leave the resource untouched.

1.4.2 Natural environment values Biodiversity The WHS contains a rich and varied ecology. Eight species of bat can be found at the site with at least three species breeding and many roosts within the historic buildings and structures. The freshwater habitats of the river and ponds are UK BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) priority habitats and support a number of species including the native white-clawed crayfish and great crested newt. The site also supports a wide variety of birds including the spotted flycatcher, hawfinch and lesser spotted woodpecker.

The veteran trees of the deer park and their deadwood invertebrates are of international importance due to the rarity of old parkland in Europe. Many trees are more than three hundred years old and a few date from before 1600. The native oak, field maple and yew trees, as well as the introduced lime, beech and sweet chestnut trees support a wide variety of saproxylic invertebrates that are dependent on dead or decaying wood, as well as other organisms.

The ancient woodland on the valley sides is rich in bluebell and dog’s mercury as well as bird’s nest orchid, small teasel and toothwort. The abbey ruins also support over fifty species of wall flora.

Enjoying the pond life in the water garden

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The underlying Millstone Grit of the site is overlain by Magnesian Limestone and this sustains species-rich Magnesian Limestone grassland, especially around the Banqueting House, which is now part of a lowland calcareous grassland UK BAP priority habitat.

Geodiversity Within the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate there are 2 principal bedrock types. The majority of the site is underlain

by Magnesian Limestone (Permian).

The southern and western part of the site, including the abbey precinct and Fountains Hall, is underlain by Millstone Grit (Carboniferous). The whole site is overlain by a cover of Pleistocene gravel and clay with associated late Pleistocene landforms. The best exposures of Millstone Grit occur on the north side of the Skell valley, forming Echo Cliff which is where much of the building stone for the abbey was quarried. Exposures of Magnesian Limestone can be seen either side of the formal water gardens and within the Seven Bridges Valley. In the late Pleistocene a river swollen with glacial meltwater cut the steep sided valley of Fountains Abbey and the Seven Bridges gorge along which today’s River Skell flows. The natural shelter provided by the deep post-glacial river valley, the presence of water and the surrounding geology and geomorphology have all influenced the development of the site, the design of the landscape and the construction of the historic buildings and structures.

1.4.3 Educational and learning values Many visitors come to the site to increase their knowledge of the historic landscape, wildlife and people who have lived here.

The learning team provides visitors with a variety of different ways to discover the estate, its stories and history. These include guided and self-led tours, an audio tour of the abbey and lively exhibitions.

For children and students there are classrooms and workshops at Swanley Grange which offer year round activities to help children and young people learn about different aspects of the site.

The site also works with local colleges, universities and apprenticeship schemes, to provide a learning base for people to develop skills in the conservation and care of historic places.

1.4.4 Social, economic and cultural values Community Local people have strong attachments to the World Heritage Site. The deer park and the Seven Bridges Valley are very popular for family outings, often with several generations coming for a walk, to see the deer and enjoy the views. The popularity of the estate rests on the fact there are many things to do but it is also still possible to find a quiet place. The majority of the site’s regular volunteers live in Ripon, Harrogate and the surrounding area.

Recreation and tourism The site has had a long history of welcoming visitors, from the beginning of the 17th century to today. Even before the Studley Royal landscaped garden was finished, it was described as the ‘Wonder of the North’ by a visitor (Travel Journal of John Tracy Atkins, 1732). It is one of the most visited National Trust properties and a key attraction in Yorkshire, drawing visitors from many parts of Britain and overseas. Each year approximately 350,000 visitors come to the paying area and an estimated 150,000 people visit the deer park.

Religious and spiritual The estate retains an active and significant spiritual and celebratory significance for many people. A small number of ecumenical services take place in the abbey church, notably at Easter and Christmas.

During the summer months the parish minister and current and former members of the clergy volunteer their time so they can respond to spiritual matters should it be appropriate. St Mary’s Church remains consecrated and is used several times a year for services, in addition to parish weddings and christenings.

East green of the abbey

Economic

The site is highly valued for its tranquillity and peaceful beauty and for providing a quiet place for calm reflection.

The site has always been a working estate and its success as a visitor attraction means it is an important economic driver locally and regionally. It is one of the most visited attractions in Yorkshire and one of only two World Heritage Sites in the region; Saltaire is the other. The estate is committed to increasing the provision of locally sourced products and working with local contractors.

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Peace and tranquillity

Many of the visitors to the site also visit Ripon and other attractions in the local area and stay in nearby holiday accommodation. The estate is also an important employer with many of its staff living locally. The National Trust has agricultural agreements with local farmers relating to agricultural pockets of land on the fringes of the estate, which reinforces the economic and social significance of the estate and the important relationship between the estate and the local community.

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Moon Ponds and Temple of Piety

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Managing the World Heritage Site

This chapter sets out the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the management of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site and the process for this update of the plan.

2.1 Management structure The National Trust, Historic England and the English Heritage Trust are chiefly responsible for the conservation and maintenance of the site.

It should be noted that in 2015, English Heritage split into two separate organisations: — Historic England, a public body to champion and protect England’s historic environment, and — English Heritage Trust, a new independent charity retaining the name English Heritage, to look after — on behalf of the nation — the National Heritage Collection of more than 400 historic sites across England including the ruins of Fountains Abbey.

Chapter 2

The National Trust owns the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate and manages the garden, parkland, Fountains Hall and the visitor infrastructure. The State owns St Mary’s Church and it is cared for by the English Heritage Trust on its behalf, although the day to day management has been taken on by the National Trust under a Local Management Agreement. All three organisations play a role in the conservation and management of the abbey ruins and Fountains Abbey Mill. The abbey ruins and mill are in a Guardianship Agreement with the State and therefore although owned by the National Trust, their conservation is the responsibility of the English Heritage Trust. The English Heritage Trust also takes care of the monastic artefacts at Helmsley Stone Store. The abbey precinct is a scheduled monument and Historic England is responsible for advising the Department for Culture, Media and Sport whether consent should be given for works affecting the scheduled monument. They also provide advice on listed buildings, planning and research.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Both Historic England and the English Heritage Trust are represented on the World Heritage Site Steering Group which has overall responsibility for the preparation and delivery of the World Heritage Site Management Plan.

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A detailed explanation of responsibilities is shown in the table.

Place

Management Framework

English Heritage Trust Responsibility

National Trust Responsibility

Abbey ruins

1966 Guardianship Agreement for the abbey ruins

Consolidation and maintenance of the ruins (standing fabric and buried archaeology), including vegetation control, condition surveys, research, excavations and the conservation of artefacts in the Helmsley and on-site store.

Maintenance of surfaces inside and outside the abbey and erosion control, visitor management, interpretation and activities. Contribution to archaeological investigation of the ruins.

Precinct wall

1966 Guardianship Agreement for the abbey ruins

Expertise and advice.

Consolidation and maintenance of the wall.

Fountains Abbey Mill

1966 Guardianship Agreement for the abbey ruins

Excavations, consolidation and conservation of the fabric.

Access, interpretation, surroundings, mill leat and water management.

St Mary’s Church

Local Management Agreement for St Mary’s Church 2014

Conservation of the church, interpretation and guidebook.

Visitor access, lighting, cleaning, organ playing, stewarding and interpretation.

The WHS Stakeholder Group meets annually to monitor delivery of the plan and has helped inform the management issues and actions in this plan. The Group includes local landowners, the local authority, representatives from the local community including mayors and parish councillors, businesses, tourism and environmental organisations and interest groups. A list of these stakeholders can be found in Appendix 4.

2.2 Producing the plan

The WHS Steering Group includes representatives from the National Trust, Historic England, the English Heritage Trust, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the International Council on Monuments and Sites-UK (ICOMOS-UK). The Steering Group is responsible for setting the management priorities and monitoring delivery of the plan.

The WHS Coordinator is based on the site and is responsible for coordinating, preparing and monitoring delivery of the WHS Management Plan.

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Chapter 2

This plan was developed by the WHS Coordinator and the WHS Steering Group. Consultation events were held throughout the plan process to gather people’s opinions on the issues that matter the most to them. This ensured that national and local organisations, visitors and local residents had the opportunity to make their voices heard and shape this revision of the plan. A questionnaire was also available for completion online and promoted through National Trust social media networks. A second phase of formal consultation on the draft plan was held from December 2014 to February 2015.

The outcomes of the consultation can be found in Appendix 5.

Sep-15

Aug-15

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Nov-14

Oct-14

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Aug-14

Jul-14

Jun-14

May-14

Apr-14

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Dec-13

Nov-13

Oct-13

Sep-13

The process, including key milestones in the preparation of the plan, is set out below.

Review of current Plan WHS Stakeholder event 26 September Action plan of current plan reviewed Engagement strategy produced WHS Steering Group agree enagagement strategy: 22 January

Consultation Discussions on key management issues with partners Engagement with property staff & volunteers: 5 & 6 March Community engagement event at Ripon Town Hall: 22 March Visitor engagement at World Heritage Weekend: 3, 4 & 5 May Online and paper questionnaire launched WHS Steering Group to review Draft Consultation Report

Drafting the Plan Draft the chapters of the plan WHS Steering Group review objectives chapter of draft plan

Consultation on the draft Plan WHS Steering Group meet to sign off draft plan for consultation Stakeholder meeting to consider actions of draft plan: 20 Nov Draft plan published for consultation: 8 weeks Nov to Jan Summary of draft plan produced WHS Steering Group review consultation responses March

Amending and finalising the Plan Amend the Plan following consultation Submit Plan to DCMS for endorsement and send to UNESCO Printing and launch of Plan

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An aerial view of the water garden

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Current issues affecting the World Heritage Site This chapter sets out the main issues to be addressed at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site over the next 6 years. The issues were identified by: — consulting a wide range of stakeholders including national and local organisations, local communities and visitors — reviewing the objectives in the last plan and progress on delivery of the 6 year action plan — analysing the key performance indicators set out in the last plan and the results of the 2012 Periodic Report which assessed the state of conservation of the World Heritage Site (WHS) Defining these issues has helped shape the long-term objectives and actions set out in Chapter 4 of the plan. Where an issue is addressed by a specific objective these have been highlighted in this section of the plan.

3.1 Ensuring protection of the World Heritage Site, buffer zone and wider setting through the planning system

Ripon City Plan Committee which includes the Ripon Mayor and representatives from Ripon City Council and other local interests is leading the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan called the Ripon City Plan. Neighbourhood planning was introduced through the Localism Act 2011 and gives communities powers to make a development plan for their area.

The National Trust and their partners at the Council are working closely to ensure that the UNESCO approved buffer zone is included in the plan, particularly policies to protect the vista from the WHS to Ripon Cathedral and beyond to Blois Hall Farm.

The planning and policy framework for the WHS is set out in Appendix 3.

The magnificent view along the lime avenue to Ripon Cathedral

As a response to the potential harmful impact on the WHS of development outside the boundary, the development of a buffer zone was taken forward in

the last plan period and approved by the World Heritage Committee in 2012. The buffer zone boundary is shown on Map 2. Policies to protect the WHS, the buffer zone and its wider setting were included in the Harrogate Borough Council Draft Sites and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD). This was withdrawn in June 2014, however, following concerns expressed by the Inspector at the Public Examination.

Work has now started on the preparation of a new Local Plan but it is expected to take three years before the plan is submitted for examination. In the interim, planning policies contained in the existing Harrogate District Local Plan together with guidance in the Heritage Management Supplementary Planning Document will provide a basis for protecting the OUV of the WHS and its wider setting including the buffer zone.

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Ensuring the protection of the WHS, its buffer zone and wider setting continues to be a high priority. Although the area within the boundary of the WHS is unlikely to be subject to development proposals which impact on its outstanding universal value (due to the fact it is wholly owned by the National Trust), outside the boundary there is potential for development proposals to threaten the values of the WHS. These could include large scale or poorly sited renewable energy schemes, some agricultural developments and inappropriately sited buildings which could harm its setting or key views into or out of the site.

Link to Objective E

3.2 Adequacy of the boundaries of the World Heritage Site

How Hill tower

The boundaries of the WHS are based on the National Trust ownership boundary when the site was acquired in 1983.

The boundary of the site was proposed

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by the UK Government to the World Heritage Committee because it represented an area managed by the least number of stakeholders. ICOMOS-UK, however, recognised that there were other areas outside the proposed boundary, most notably How Hill, Chinese Woods and Spa Gill, which were part of the 18th century gardens and should be included within the WHS at a later time. These areas now lie within the WHS buffer zone but are still outside the WHS boundary.

Link to Objective F

3.3 Encouraging more visitors while continuing to ensure the peaceful beauty and tranquillity of the WHS is maintained The WHS has seen a growth in visitor numbers of approximately 2% per year over the last plan period and on peak days such as Easter, bank holidays and during school holidays, visitor numbers can reach 4000 a day. During busy periods the capacity of the car parks is exceeded with the result that visitors park on the grass verges along the main access road, the deer park avenue and the grassland surrounding the Studley Lakeside car park.

There can also be some localised queuing at the catering outlets and admission points.

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Visitor pressure on the historic fabric presents issues for the maintenance of the outstanding universal value of the WHS and the conservation and presentation of the gardens and parklands. The National Trust has identified the following issues currently facing the site:

3.4 Financial sustainability of the WHS

— wear and tear to car park surfaces caused by the number of cars and year round use

A lot of work was done over the previous plan period to diversify the commercial activities on site, reducing reliance on visitor income. Projects included the development of five new holiday cottages at How Hill.

— e rosion to path edges on the estate and on roads through the deer park by visitor and delivery vehicles —d amage to grassland and compaction around tree roots at Studley Lakeside car park and the footpath around the lake —d amage to the paving at the Studley Royal entrance by delivery vehicles — e rosion to the footpaths and entrances to the abbey ruins, particularly in winter when the ground is waterlogged Assessment work carried out to inform the last plan and recent customer research carried out by the National Trust showed that people value the site for its peaceful and tranquil surroundings, the beautiful setting in the Skell Valley, the echoes of the past, the atmosphere and spiritual values. It is important that visitor pressure is carefully managed to maintain these valued attributes of the site.

Link to Objective B

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

The main source of funding for the estate is admissions and membership income.

Visitor spending in the restaurants and shops, as well as staying in one of eleven holiday cottages on site, also makes a very important contribution to the site’s financial sustainability.

National Trust holiday cottages at the West Gate entrance

To conserve and protect the WHS for future generations, it is vital that income is raised to fund conservation work. The site relies on its role as a popular visitor attraction to generate income. Visitor numbers for the site are still on an upward trend. Recent years, however, have shown that these numbers can be negatively affected by the economic environment, weather and competitive pressures. The impact of the global credit crunch was felt during the last plan period. As a primarily outdoors attraction, the site is particularly susceptible to poor weather.

The wet summer of 2012 impacted negatively on visitor numbers and therefore visitor income.

Chapter 3

Yorkshire has an extensive tourism offer, and there is a vast number of other historic sites within the region that compete for the same leisure and visitor spend.

While the region’s richness in cultural and natural heritage does attract domestic and international visitors to the site, the competitive environment can put visitor numbers at risk.

Link to Objective C

3.5 Managing the impacts of flooding and siltation The River Skell runs through the estate and was vastly modified in the 18th century to create the water garden. The river feeds the formal ponds, canals and cascades that form central features of the water garden.

Upstream the catchment for the Skell is relatively small at 36 sq. km and very steep. It consists of soils which are prone to compaction and therefore high levels of run-off are experienced during periods of heavy rainfall which can cause flooding of the WHS.

Silt deposition in the Half Moon Reservoir

It is clear from historical documents and anecdotal evidence that historic features set within the valley floor have been, and continue to be, at risk from the extremes of river flow. The valley bottom sits within the flood risk area on the Environment Agency flood maps. The recent Inland Flood Risk Assessment for the abbey ruins (2013) carried out by English Heritage identified the area as ‘high risk’. The most significant threat to the outstanding universal value of the WHS continues to be flooding that causes damage to the built and natural heritage and the deposition of silt within the river course. The build-up of silt in the lake, canal, moon ponds and reservoir affects the garden design and reflective qualities of the water.

The 2004 Environment Agency report on the Ripon Flood Alleviation Scheme detailed a flood alleviation option for the River Skell upstream of Fountains Abbey.

That option, however, was not adopted by the Agency and the valley floor remains at high risk from flooding. Weirs, walls, historic structures, including the abbey ruins, and natural features such as soils and plants continue to be vulnerable to flood damage or loss. Low levels of flow also impact on the water garden.

The Ripon Multi Objective Project (Ripon MOP) was a partnership of stakeholders led by the Environment Agency and involving Natural England, Nidderdale AONB, the Forestry Commission and the National Trust.

Its aim was to reduce run-off from the upper catchment of the Rivers Skell and Laver using a variety of soft engineering techniques. Unfortunately, take up by land managers in the Skell catchment was limited, resulting in little flood alleviation.

This project has now ended and there is currently no catchment wide scheme in place to reduce silt deposition or manage flooding on the site.

Whilst project work has stopped within the catchment, the National Trust has begun to focus on mitigation measures within the site and is currently exploring options to manage flooding within the water garden. It continues to allocate comparatively large financial and staff resources to the management of the water course. In 2010 the Trust spent £0.5 million on the Studley Lake Project which included removal of silt from the lake. There is no external funding available for these works.

The dredging programmes will continue to generate vast quantities of silt therefore new ways of reusing this material off-site need to be explored.

Link to Objective G and L

3.6 Managing the risks associated with climate change

— impact on built structures including the abbey ruins, Fountains Hall and the garden buildings

Evidence suggests that significant global warming is occurring causing changes to the climate that can be seen now and are likely to become widespread and more severe in the future. Changes are already occurring in temperature and precipitation patterns towards hotter drier summers and milder wetter winters but also increasing storminess and heavy rain. These changes do have the potential to impact on the outstanding universal value (OUV) of the WHS as well as the wider values of the estate. Management implications for the WHS and maintenance of the OUV include:

— pests and diseases

— impact of flash floods and low water levels on the landscape design and its built and natural features (link to issue 3.5) — grassland management, including maintenance of the lawns — the condition and selection of trees and maintenance of historic planting patterns

— impact on soils and archaeology

Potential risks to the site include irreversible damage or loss of historic features, landscapes and buildings due to extreme weather changes; diminished visitor enjoyment and access to the site as a result of flooding and drought; and a threat to the integrity and authenticity of the landscape posed by potential solutions to these risks. Work to identify the risks associated with climate change and measures to adapt or mitigate them, whilst still maintaining the OUV of the WHS, remain a priority.

Although some possible impacts of climate change have been identified, there is no robust baseline data demonstrating trends in climatic conditions and modelled predictions of how this might impact on the site.

Link to Objective G and L

— the condition and maintenance of garden features such as the yew hedges and bosquets — the vulnerability of exposed rock faces which form important elements of the garden design in the Chinese landscape at Seven Bridges, within the water garden and adjacent to the abbey Flooding in the abbey cloister in 2007

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3.7 The impact of the Shoot on the management of the WHS

3.8 Delivery of the Conservation Management Plan

— developing options for the future use of Fountains Hall

The freehold sporting rights on the estate were sold off in two lots by the Vyner family in 1966 and 1971. They were purchased by the current private owner in 1971, prior to the National Trust acquiring the estate in 1983. The sporting rights extend to a wide range of game bird, primarily but not exclusively pheasant, which are reared on the site. The rights extend well beyond the WHS boundary, taking in much of the WHS buffer zone.

In 2011 a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) was produced for the site. The CMP aims to conserve and, where there are opportunities, also enhance the OUV of the WHS. It recognises the international significance of the pleasure grounds designed by John Aislabie and his son William Aislabie — ‘the masterpiece of human creative genius’ described in the WHS inscription criteria.

— impact of the Shoot management on biodiversity and historic features, its restriction on conservation works and visitor access to large areas of the garden

The National Trust has reached an agreement with the Shoot owners to close the pay-for-entry areas of the site on Fridays in November, December and January to minimise the disruption to visitors while shooting takes place. The Shoot, however, can and does shoot anywhere on any day within the confines of their sporting rights. The agreement also imposes constraints on the National Trust in terms of visitor access to areas of the WHS, conservation of the garden and archaeological remains and management of wooded areas. The Shoot and its associated management therefore impacts on visitor enjoyment and maintenance of the OUV of the WHS. Link to Objective H and J

The CMP informs the National Trust’s prioritisation and spending on conservation projects and highlights the large and challenging backlog of conservation work to be delivered on the site. The key challenges for conservation of the site highlighted in the plan include: — restoration of the 18th century water garden and parkland — access to and interpretation of the 18th century water garden which includes improving access to the water gardens so visitors can approach the abbey ruins from the east as intended in the 18th century garden design — landscape presentation and interpretation of the abbey ruins — condition of some historic buildings and structures

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

— protecting and recording the special habitats and species on the site

Resources still continue to be an issue for conservation work, both staff resources for the maintenance of the garden and buildings and funding for projects.

Link to Objective J

3.9 Ensuring comprehensive access and welcome for all whilst maintaining the outstanding universal value of the WHS Access for all is not simply about improving the experiences for those visitors with physical limitations, but also encompasses visitors with a wide range of needs. While there are measures in place on site to improve the experience for less able visitors, including a minibus that connects all three entrances, hearing loops and disabled facilities, there is more that can be done.

Chapter 3

The National Trust has recently conducted an Access Audit which has raised a wide variety of issues regarding the disabled visitor’s experience on site which will need to be addressed. As a WHS and one of the most visited National Trust places in the country, the site should aim to be at the forefront of disabled access in its broadest sense, in the heritage sector.

Some visitors may consider entry to the site unaffordable or irrelevant to their cultural or ethnic background. Increases in admission prices over the coming years may further exacerbate this issue.

Link to Objective M

Visitors in the nave of the abbey

3.10 Helping visitors to understand the site Regular visitor feedback and the outcomes of the consultation on the draft management plan show that interpretation of the WHS is an important issue for people. Although there is a full guided tour programme, a guidebook and the Porter’s Lodge exhibition, there is a call for far greater promotion and celebration of the sheer scale and richness of the WHS. This includes both information about the abbey ruins and more ambitious interpretation about the ideas and people that shaped the design and layout of the 18th century water garden. Many visitors are unaware that the Fountains Abbey estate and Studley Royal estate came to be joined in 1767, with the abbey cleverly used as a romantic folly in the Aislabies’ forward-thinking garden designs. Fewer still are aware that it is the garden design, incorporating the abbey ruins, that is the reason for WHS status, rather than the abbey alone.

The site also has a conservation story to tell, promoting to visitors the work that is undertaken to ensure the outstanding universal value of the WHS is preserved for future generations to enjoy. More could be done to explain this work to visitors and stakeholders and connect people to the WHS and its conservation. The site has a role to play in the promotion of education and learning about the appreciation and care of heritage, both on the estate and beyond.

Whilst the more traditional forms of interpretation do appeal to some, customer feedback shows that alternative approaches are also needed to help visitors understand the history, conservation and WHS status of the site.

Link to Objective J, N and O

3.11 Optimising the impact of the site on the local and regional economy

Countryside apprentice working in the deer park

There is recognition among a range of partners that the WHS plays a key role in the local and regional economy. The site is one of the most visited tourism attractions in Yorkshire and won best large visitor attraction in Yorkshire at the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards in 2012.

There are few references, however, to the role of the site in the plans for economic growth covering the area. The site lies within two overlapping Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas: the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP and the Leeds City Region LEP. LEPs are business led partnerships with the public sector and

Chapter 3

their purpose is to stimulate the economy and create good quality local jobs. Both LEPs have produced strategic economic plans and the challenge is to explore how the site can help deliver these plans.

Link to Objective R

3.12 Accessing the WHS by means other than the car As a conservation charity, the National Trust encourages its visitors, staff and volunteers to use green transport wherever possible. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is not well located within public transport networks in North Yorkshire.

Regular buses run to Ripon from Leeds and Harrogate but this is four miles away from the site. At present there are only buses connecting the estate to Ripon three days a week running on a very limited timetable.

An additional summer Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday service is in operation from York which continues to Pateley Bridge but this is infrequent. The estate is also 12 miles away from the nearest train station with few options for ongoing travel and 22 miles from the nearest airport (Leeds Bradford).

Many of the local bus routes have been reduced or cut completely over the last few years. Despite the National Trust funding a Sunday service from Ripon to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal for several years, the number of visitors using the service was low and the estate was unable to sustain the service. Greater promotion of the available public transport options will be a focus for the coming years which will hopefully lead to the increase in services

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

once demand is evident. The estate will also look to work with partners, such as the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Partnership, to encourage greater provision of bus services in the Yorkshire Dales.

The National Trust has actively encouraged cyclists for several years and the opportunities around cycling in the area have increased significantly since the Way of the Roses route was formed, passing directly through the deer park.

The Way of the Roses is a coast to coast route linking Morecambe to Bridlington.

Although the Way of the Roses continues to Ripon, part of the route is on the main road. The Tour de France Grand Départ was held in Yorkshire in July 2014 and has generated further interest in cycling around the region. There is an opportunity to work with partners to build on the legacy from this event.

Link to Objective S

Visitors are encouraged to cycle to the site

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Enjoying the outdoors in the deer park

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Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Themes, objectives and actions

This section of the plan sets out the long-term objectives and actions for the next 6 years. The objectives are grouped under 4 themes which have been carried forward from the last plan. The long-term objectives have been revised and updated in light of the site’s current management issues set out in Chapter 3. The key partners and timescales for delivery of the actions are set out in the six year action plan in Chapter 5.

Theme 1: Overall Management Approach

Theme 3: Access, Enjoyment & Understanding

Chapter 4

A crow invades the Banqueting House as part of the Follies Art Programme

Theme 2: Conservation & Environmental Performance

Theme 4: Local Community Links & Partnerships

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Theme 1: Overall Management Approach

Objective B: Retain the distinctiveness, sense of historical continuity and peaceful beauty of the site Actions to deliver objective B1 Review the Conservation for Access Toolkit 2013 and implement recommendations.

4.1 Introduction This section sets out the wide range of overarching issues which impact on management of the World Heritage Site (WHS). Encouraging and supporting regular input from everyone who cares for the place will ensure a well-informed and balanced approach to decision making which maintains the outstanding universal value (OUV) of the WHS. Financial sustainability and sufficient human resources continue to be essential to ensure the continued delivery of high standards of maintenance, conservation and visitor enjoyment.

4.1.1 Management policy for the WHS Objective A: Ensure holistic and sustainable management to maintain the OUV of the WHS and achieve the vision

B3 Monitor the impact of traffic and visitor use on Studley Royal Deer Park.

B4 Develop and implement a plan of repairs to the abbey paths and entrances.

Actions to deliver objective A1 Raise awareness of the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value and its role in planning and management of the site.

A2 Develop a set of attributes of the OUV of the site.

A3 Prepare and deliver the WHS Management Plan 2015-2021.

A4 Agree resources for the delivery of WHS management responsibilities by owners and partners.

A5 Continue to hold an annual stakeholder event and produce regular newsletters for partners.

Play area near the Visitor Centre

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B2 Continue to develop the zoning and programming approach to visitor management on site.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Management policies and principles The 2001-2007 Management Plan proposed a holistic approach to site management. This means that all activities that can have an effect on the values of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site should be considered in light of the overall conservation of the WHS. In 2012, the WHS’s Statement of Outstanding Universal Value was approved by UNESCO. It provides the basis for determining conservation and management strategies for the site and is a key consideration in planning decisions. A priority for this plan period will be to define a set of attributes which convey the OUV and

Theme 1

allow an understanding of that value.

These attributes will be the focus of protection and management actions and will also inform the boundary review.

The WHS has many designations attached to it, including several which highlight the importance of its natural heritage.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, however, is of international importance for its cultural values, a WHS inscribed as ‘a masterpiece of human creative genius’. There may be potential for conflict between the management approaches suited to the two different kinds of significance. Therefore as a general principle, on those rare occasions where designations make opposing demands, the cultural significance will take priority.

However, improving the biodiversity of the WHS and fulfilling the local and national Biodiversity Action Plans will almost always bring benefits and will be promoted within the WHS and the surrounding area.

Under the World Heritage Convention, all WHSs sign up to preserve the OUV of the site for future generations. It is important that disaster risk management measures are in place. The National Trust has an emergency plan for the site which identifies potential threats to the WHS. The plan puts measures in place to ensure the Trust is able to respond effectively to emergency or disaster situations which may threaten the OUV of the WHS, such as flooding and fire. The National Trust and the English Heritage Trust have also produced salvage plans for the collections on the site.

The more specific conservation policies and principles adopted by the National Trust and English Heritage are set out in Appendix 7 of the plan and include the National Trust Triple Bottom Line approach and the English Heritage Conservation Principles. These approaches ensure that the different interests of the site are considered and appropriate management is undertaken. In terms of managing projects and maintenance works on the property, the National Trust now works within a project management framework which aims to ensure effective and efficient delivery of projects and sharing of learning.

English Heritage Conservation Principles Principle 1 The historic environment is a shared resource.

Principle 2 Everyone should be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment.

Principle 3 Understanding the significance of places is vital.

Principle 4 Significant places should be managed to sustain their values.

Principle 5 Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent.

Principle 6 Documenting and learning from decisions is essential.

The site now has a WHS Coordinator and membership of the WHS Steering Group was expanded in 2013 to include representatives from North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and ICOMOS-UK. Stakeholder events are held annually to monitor delivery of the plan. In addition, the site also produces an annual newsletter for stakeholders. It is planned to continue this framework for delivering the World Heritage responsibilities for the site.

Balancing visitors and conservation The National Trust uses a number of tools to ensure the impact of visitors on the outstanding universal value of the WHS is carefully managed. One of these is the Conservation for Access Toolkit which provides a framework for historic buildings and gardens to get the balance right between visitor access and conservation. It establishes the ‘carrying capacity’ of a historic space, identifies the resources needed to increase access and proposes practical solutions to manage visitor impact.

A priority during the last plan period was to minimise the impact of traffic on the WHS, particularly the parkland and lake side. The National Trust has introduced a new rising bollard at the Studley Roger entrance to the deer park to control vehicle access outside opening hours. Greater use of the minibus has also been encouraged through a regular timetable of trips and parking at St Mary’s Church is now restricted to church services and weddings.

The use of estate and contractor vehicles and noisy garden operations such as grass cutting are planned to take place outside visitor hours, when possible. This can be a challenge, however, as the site is open throughout the year and has long opening hours, particularly in the summer.

4.1.2 Finance and people Objective C: Ensure adequate and sustainable financial and human resources to maintain the OUV of the WHS and achieve the vision for the site Actions to deliver objective C1 Increase overall National Trust annual income to finance conservation works.

C2 Develop and deliver the Visitor Experience Project, creating new visitor offers and a masterplan for improving the Visitor Centre and Studley Royal entrances.

C3 Develop peak season additional enterprise capacity.

C4 Review and update the estate’s three year marketing strategy and produce an annual marketing action plan.

C5 Identify fundraising opportunities and available grants to support conservation work.

The site also follows a policy of zoning the visitor experience, to meet the needs of different visitor groups. This means that many family-based facilities such as the playground, ball games and picnic area and bird hide are sited together, outside the sensitive historic areas of the estate. Visitor events and activities are also carefully programmed to target the audience visiting at that time.

C6 Hold annual legacy days to enthuse potential donors with conservation work.

C7 Continue to carry out staff surveys and deliver action plans to ensure staff satisfaction.

Every cup of tea contributes to the financial sustainability of the WHS

Theme 1

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Financial sustainability The sustainability of the WHS depends largely on its role as a visitor attraction.

Over the last plan period the National Trust’s annual income on the estate has risen from £1.34 million to £2.09 million. This income includes admissions income, membership subscriptions and a recruitment credit for new memberships.

Income is also generated from rental properties and investment. In addition, enterprise income from the shops, restaurants and holiday cottages has risen from £1.10 million to £1.56 million.

The income generated by the estate is critical to maintenance of the outstanding universal value of the WHS. The income is used to fund a team of gardeners and builders to maintain and care for the gardens and estate buildings. It also funds maintenance work across the estate and an ambitious programme of conservation projects each year. Although mainly selffunding in terms of annual operating costs there is a backlog of conservation work of over £20 million. The conservation projects planned over the next six years are set out in Appendix 8.

Over the next 6 years the site will work with partners to develop and implement new visitor offers and infrastructure as part of the Visitor Experience Project.

This project includes a number of programmes of work designed to improve visitor enjoyment, increase the length of time visitors stay on site and attract new visitors to the WHS. Projects include a new vision for Fountains Hall, a living history experience in Swanley Grange,

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contemporary art in the water garden and a fresh look at the Visitor Centre and Studley Royal entrances.

As well as the Visitor Experience Project, other opportunities will be sought to sustainably increase income over the plan period. This will include developing additional catering capacity on peak days to alleviate pressure on the tea rooms and restaurant.

Marketing the WHS An exciting visitor experience needs to be promoted to current and new visitors in a compelling and relevant way to ensure that the site continues to attract visitors.

During the last plan period, much work was undertaken to understand and identify the different groups that visit the estate.

This improved understanding feeds into the visitor experience planning process and enables the most suitable promotional tools to be selected for different visitor groups.

Marketing activity will build brand and property reputation and continue to position the WHS as a major attraction in the north of England. Through the careful selection of imagery, design and words, marketing activity will highlight the eighteenth century experience and the monastic experience on site, bringing to life the site’s ‘Spirit of Place’ and raising awareness of the WHS status. The marketing strategy will be reviewed and a detailed marketing action plan will be prepared each year to increase visitor numbers and enterprise income.

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People The National Trust currently employs 66 full time staff although this is increased during peak periods to help meet visitor demand. In addition, there are over 400 volunteers who help in a variety of roles across the site including guided tours and visitor assistance, support for educational visits and events, and helping with gardening and stone cleaning. Without this group of committed individuals the site would not be able to operate at its current capacity. It is vital that the site continues to provide well-considered and meaningful volunteer roles that enable people to contribute in a way that benefits both parties. The personal circumstances of the core volunteer base are likely to change over the coming years as people work longer. Adapting to changing demographics and circumstances of the volunteer base will be a focus of this plan period.

A happy and motivated workforce is essential to deliver the vision for the site.

The National Trust conducts an annual survey of staff satisfaction at each of its properties. The results of the survey are monitored with an action plan created to deal with any issues arising. This approach will continue during this plan period.

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4.1.3 Maintenance and presentation Objective D: Deliver high standards of presentation and maintenance of the buildings, landscape and visitor infrastructure Actions to deliver objective D1 Maintain the standard of visitor infrastructure such as toilets, catering and retail, signage, car parks and footpaths. Priority projects include improvements to the toilets at Studley Royal car park, an upgrade to the Visitor Centre car park and delivery of the signage programme.

D2 Ensure all owners, staff and volunteers within the World Heritage Site know how to contribute to the high standards of presentation of the site through sharing and celebrating good practice.

D3 Ensure regular maintenance of historic structures and visitor infrastructure.

The presentation of the site is an important element of maintaining its outstanding universal value and ensuring a great visitor welcome. Apart from caring for the estate through conservation work, it is important that the facilities provided for visitors such as the car parks, toilets, catering and retail, seating and signage do not compromise the natural and historic beauty of the site. The National Trust has introduced presentation standards which set out actions to be taken

to ensure high standards are maintained.

These include picking up litter, walking the visitor route and seeing things through the eyes of visitors, treasuring the first ‘wow’ views, replacing deteriorating signs and seeking creative alternatives to barriers.

A key element of presentation is the conservation and maintenance of the buildings and landscape. A cyclical maintenance programme is a fundamental part of ongoing conservation on the site and a team of estate builders and gardeners maintain the site, as well as local contractors.

4.1.4 Planning and policy framework Objective E: Ensure the conservation and enhancement of the OUV of the WHS, its buffer zone and wider setting are taken into account in the preparation and implementation of planning, regulatory and policy documents which might affect it Actions to deliver objective E1 Finalise and adopt policies which protect the OUV of the WHS, its buffer zone and wider setting in the revised Harrogate Borough Council Local Plan.

E2 Ensure policies to protect the WHS, buffer zone and wider setting are included in the Ripon City Plan.

E3 Historic England and National Trust to respond to planning applications with a potential impact on the OUV of the site.

Ensuring the protection of the WHS, its buffer zone and wider setting continues to be a high priority. Following the withdrawal of the Harrogate Borough Council Sites and Policies Development Plan Document it is important that the Council reflects the WHS, buffer zone and setting in the development of the new plan. The Council has also produced Heritage Management Guidance which was adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document for development control purposes in 2014.

The Guidance sets out key principles for determining planning applications in the WHS and buffer zone and assessing the impact of new development on the setting of heritage sites.

The Ripon City Plan is currently being drafted but the buffer zone and policies to protect the buffer zone, particularly the foreground to the view of Ripon Cathedral and the view across Ripon to Blois Hall Farm, are being developed.

There are a range of Landscape Assessments covering the WHS, its buffer zone and wider setting. These Assessments will help maintain the OUV of the WHS by providing a greater understanding of the landscape surrounding the WHS. This understanding can be used to inform planning and management decisions affecting the WHS and surrounding area.

A more detailed description of the planning and policy framework for the WHS is set out in Appendix 3. More information on the landscape character can be found in Appendix 10 which includes a summary of the Natural England National Character Areas, the North Yorkshire County Council Historic

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Landscape Characterisation Project and the Harrogate Borough Council Landscape Character Assessment.

4.1.5 The boundaries of the World Heritage Site

4.1.6 Climate change Objective G: Examine the impact of climate change on all objectives and adopt a strategy for accommodation and adaptation Actions to deliver objective

Objective F: Ensure the boundaries of the WHS include the area that gives the site its outstanding universal value

G1 Set up a monitoring programme to improve understanding of the current and future impact of climate change on the WHS.

Actions to deliver objective

G2 Produce a Climate Change Risk Assessment for the WHS.

F1 Review the boundaries of the WHS in partnership with local landowners.

F2 If the review demonstrates the boundary of the WHS should be revised a proposal will be prepared and submitted to the World Heritage Committee for approval.

The WHS boundaries do not currently include all the historic landscape which was held, in the 18th century, by the Aislabies. The boundaries will be reviewed during this plan period. The process for a boundary review is to carry out research and consultation with stakeholders and neighbouring landowners. In the event that the review demonstrates that the boundaries of the WHS should be revised, a proposal will be prepared for endorsement by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It will be forwarded by them for consideration and approval by the World Heritage Committee.

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The impact of climate change on the site needs to be better understood and the risks faced to the OUV of the WHS as a result of climate change assessed with partners. The water gardens are internationally important and the fact they are designed around a river make them particularly vulnerable to flooding, drought and siltation. The historic fabric of the site, including its trees and planting, is also vulnerable to shifts in temperature, rainfall and storms and the invasion of pathogens and pests.

Stonehenge and Avebury WHS has just completed a Climate Change Risk Assessment which looked at the potential risks to the site from the impacts of climate and this could be a model to follow. The Climate Change Risk Assessment would also look at management measures to adapt or mitigate against the risks identified.

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4.1.7 The Shoot Objective H: Minimise the impact of the Shoot on access, the historic and natural environment and woodland management Actions to deliver objective H1 Seek to acquire the shooting rights that cover National Trust land should they become available.

H2 Produce a new Shoot/National Trust Management Agreement.

H3 Ensure that historical features connected to the site and in Shoot ownership are protected and their condition is stable.

The priorities over this plan period will be to continue to maintain a positive relationship with the Shoot owners and to complete the review of the Shoot/National Trust Management Agreement (1997).

Included in that Agreement are visitor access routes, Shoot sensitive areas and a programme of conservation works. The review will focus on, but not exclusively, the conservation of the water garden.

The programme includes restoration of the wooded areas and hedges, opening up 18th century views and works to the wooded valley sides and those areas of the garden now covered by plantations of conifers. The review will also seek to extend the current level of visitor understanding of these areas.

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4.1.8 Research and archives Objective I: Facilitate and encourage research to improve knowledge and understanding of the WHS to inform its management. Ensure that the results of such research are shared Actions to deliver objective I1 Deliver a programme of research to inform restoration of the water garden.

Priorities include an archaeological survey of the site of the Rotondo adjacent to the Banqueting House and Rustic Lodge next to Tent Hill.

I2 Develop an archaeological research framework for the WHS, with a specific focus on the abbey precinct area.

Archaeological and historical research supports the care and conservation of the WHS and informs learning and interpretation initiatives. There is currently no formal research programme for the WHS. A wide range of research, however, has been carried out over the previous plan period, often in response to a management need or a specific conservation project.

Recent research projects have included the historical and archaeological survey of the Quebec area of the water garden in 2012, the bathing house excavation in 2013 and the English Heritage survey of the abbey infirmary tunnels following a collapse in 2012. A further programme of archaeological investigation and research has been identified in the Conservation Management Plan as part of restoration works to the water garden.

While research is being undertaken, and reports written, it is often not compiled in an accessible format for stakeholders and visitors. These reports on research projects, archaeological investigations and building recordings are currently available on the North Yorkshire Historic Environment Record but work will be done with partners to make this research more widely available. The archaeological and historical survey of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal written by the National Trust’s archaeologist Mark Newman will also be published during this plan period.

The National Trust will continue to work in partnership with local colleges and universities such as the University of York and Bradford University to carry out archaeological surveys and research in the WHS.

I3 Carry out research on the statuary collection of the water garden.

I4 Develop a project to produce a digital archive of the surveys and reports about the estate.

I5 Publish the archaeological and historical survey of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.

I6 Improve the accessibility of research projects and archaeological investigations undertaken on the site.

Bradford University carry out a geophysical survey of the abbey west green

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A view of the abbey from the south

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Theme 2: Conservation and Environmental Performance

4.2.1 Conservation of the World Heritage Site Objective J: Ensure the highest standards of conservation management and enhancement of the whole WHS. This includes the garden and designed landscape, built heritage (including archaeology) and the natural heritage (biodiversity and geodiversity) of the site

4.2 Conservation and Environmental Performance

Actions to deliver objective J1 Deliver the Conservation Management Plan priorities set out in Appendix 8.

J2 Review the Conservation Management Plan.

J3 Organise a programme of talks, leaflets and digital media to share the conservation priorities for the site with stakeholders, visitors and communities.

J4 Produce a Heritage Partnership Agreement for Fountains Abbey Scheduled Monument.

J5 Prepare and deliver a prioritised programme of conservation works from the Asset Management Plan for the abbey ruins.

Volunteers plant the yew trees for the new bosquet

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J6 Review the condition and location of the artefacts in the mill to improve the state of their environment.

J7 Promote access to objects held by the English Heritage Trust at Helmsley Store by making the entire collection accessible online and linked with the National Trust website.

J8 Support loan requests from the collection held by the English Heritage Trust at Helmsley Store.

J9 Complete the condition survey of all the archaeological sites on the property and implement management measures for their conservation.

J10 Record the ancient and venerable trees for the Woodland Trust National Register.

J11 Produce a deadwood policy for the deer parks.

J12 Deliver the Key Habitats and Species Monitoring Programme.

J13 Deliver recommendations in the Geodiversity Audit as set out in Appendix 9.

Delivery of the Conservation Management Plan

Conservation priorities set out in the CMP for the next 6 years include:

In 2011, a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) was produced for the site. The maintenance of the outstanding universal value (OUV) of the WHS is a principal aim of the CMP. Although inscribed as a cultural WHS, the site is reliant on the appropriate conservation of the natural heritage such as trees, plants, water and wildlife which form the fabric of the designed landscape and are enjoyed by visitors. The CMP therefore integrates the conservation of the cultural, landscape and natural heritage of the site. The CMP is based around the 11 character areas set out in the WHS Management Plan 2009-2014.

It informs prioritisation and spending on conservation projects.

— continuing the programme of conservation and enhancement of the 18th century garden and parkland Priorities include the maintenance and presentation of the water features, reinstating Quebec as a landscape feature in the heart of the water garden, the management of mature trees and hedges and restoring lost 18th century views

The garden, which forms such an important element of the OUV of the site, is made of constantly changing materials, the maturing trees and shrubs and the River Skell itself. The river forms the backbone of the abbey and water garden and has been greatly modified in both areas into artificial channels, with weirs, cascades and ponds. This makes it an incredibly challenging landscape to care for.

There is also an imbalance in the number of people visiting the abbey ruins as opposed to the water garden.

An important aim of the CMP is to encourage visitors to understand and enjoy the 18th century gardens, as well as the abbey, so that all the features which contribute to the OUV of the WHS can be enjoyed and understood.

(Link to Objective N)

— repairing historic buildings and structures in a poor condition including High Seat, the precinct wall, deer park wall and Chinese Wood pillars — carrying out a condition survey and conservation works at Fountains Hall and developing options for its future use — completing the monitoring programme of archaeological sites and implementing management measures for their conservation — continuing to monitor and protect the special habitats and wildlife on the estate — delivering the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme in the deer parks to maintain and enhance their wildlife, historic features and landscape character The vision for each of the Character Areas, a summary of their history and condition and an indicative list of works which will be carried out over the period of this plan to conserve and enhance the values of the site is set out in Appendix 8.

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The National Trust is keen to share the vision, objectives and programme of work with stakeholders, including visitors and volunteers, over the plan period.

Conservation of the abbey ruins, Fountains Abbey Mill and St Mary’s Church The English Heritage Trust is responsible for the conservation of the abbey ruins and the mill under a Guardianship Agreement and for St Mary’s Church which they care for on behalf of the State. In 2009 English Heritage commissioned a condition survey of the abbey ruins, abbey mill and all associated water courses and culverts.

This work was carried out as part of a wider and ongoing programme of investigations into the whole English Heritage portfolio of sites called the Asset Management Plan. The aim of the plan is to establish the outstanding defect liability across the English Heritage estate and to provide an outline cost for repair/ conservation. Each defect is allocated a level of priority from 0 ‘urgent’ to 4 ‘to be monitored’ with this being used to set a programme of action required to eliminate each defect from the list within a defined timescale.

The 2009 survey reported that there were no significant structural problems apparent in the abbey ruins, precinct buildings and structures, or in the grounds, with the possible exception of one or two small areas of the river containment.

Records and documents made available to the surveyors show that continuous and consolidated repairs had been carried out to the abbey ruins since the early 1920s. Further repair works have taken

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place to the majority of buildings and remains within the standing ruins since the property was taken into the Guardianship of the State in 1966. It was suggested that some of the earlier repairs are nearing the point at which further work will be needed to maintain the level of structural stability. The main area of concern was the condition and future maintenance of the River Skell and its containment, including the tunnels and culverts. A number of defects with the river walls, infirmary tunnels and other features were identified during the inspection.

Following on from the 2009 survey, in addition to cyclical maintenance tasks, certain works were undertaken to address the urgent issues of the river walls and the infirmary tunnels.

In December 2014 English Heritage completed a further condition defect survey of the abbey, abbey mill and St Mary’s Church, with no ‘urgent’ priority defect found. All of the structures were considered to be in a fair overall condition, with the observation that the ruins would benefit from removal of plant growth; work which has begun. A continued programme of monitoring is also recommended for the abbey ruins and the mill, whereas at St Mary’s Church it is suggested that a specialist detailed survey is completed by a conservator on the condition of the decorative interior of the church. The problems, issues and defects identified in these reports will form the basis of the future conservation programme for the English Heritage Trust.

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Work has begun on drafting a Heritage Partnership Agreement between the English Heritage Trust, Historic England and the National Trust to agree works within the scheduled monument area.

large pieces of stonework, are held by the English Heritage Trust at Helmsley Store.

This collection can be accessed by request or through tours. There is also a display of objects from the abbey at Fountains Mill.

Archaeology

The National Trust collection includes the water garden statuary, a 17th century portrait of the Mallorie family and a number of other objects. Most of the collection can be viewed at the property or accessed online.

The archaeology of the property is generally well understood. This understanding extends to surface traces of archaeology, documentary research and observations made in the course of previous operational interventions.

The key archaeological priorities for the plan period are described in other sections of this plan (link to Objective I). The development of the research framework for the WHS will mark the opening of a new chapter in the understanding of the site. The research framework should be completed in the early part of the plan period enabling commencement of initial stages of research. Delivery of the framework will involve external partnerships and funding bids.

Elsewhere the archaeological emphasis will remain on optimising every opportunity to learn and record more about the site’s archaeology, from every relevant operational activity. This information will then be used to inform how the site is managed.

Collections Collections for the site are looked after by both the English Heritage Trust and the National Trust. Over five thousand objects from Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, including tiles, belt buckles and

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During this plan period both collections will be made more accessible to visitors through the availability of the English Heritage Trust collection to view online and more objects on display at the property. The condition of the collections will also be improved.

Biodiversity The natural environment of the site is highly valued and experiencing wildlife and landscape is one of the reasons that people enjoy visiting the WHS. A large area of the gardens is designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) by the local authority and includes the areas of woodland along the valley sides of the garden and grasslands on the valley floor and at the Banqueting House.

Protecting and enhancing the special habitats at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal continues to be a high priority. The monitoring and recording of all habitats and species is important to their longterm protection and over this plan period the Key Habitats and Species Monitoring Programme will be delivered. Current priorities include the recording of the ancient and venerable trees in the gardens

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and parkland for the Woodland Trust national register, a saproxylic (deadwood) invertebrate survey in the deer parks and a survey of the ponds at How Hill and Kitchen Bank, just to the south of the abbey.

The Studley Royal Deer Park and Mackershaw Deer Park are in Natural England supported Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), a comprehensive agreement lasting until 2021 to deliver significant environmental benefits in these important areas of the WHS. The funding package includes an annual payment for maintenance of woodland, wood pasture and parkland, whilst also recognising the needs of the deer and their future management. The HLS has also funded capital works to restore the 18th century ice houses and Rough Bridge and repairs to the deer park boundary wall.

Local Nature Partnerships (LNP) are a Government initiative to change how partners work together on the natural environment and were one of the key proposals in the 2011 Natural Environment White Paper. The site lies within 2 LNP areas, the Northern Upland Chain and the North Yorkshire and York LNP. Continuing to engage in these partnerships will deliver nature conservation benefits for the site.

Geodiversity The geological influence at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is both implicit and explicit within the natural, designed and built elements of the site’s landscape.

Many of the buildings have grown from the landscape, their materials extracted from local rock faces and quarries, lime

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mortars burnt at lime kilns in the deer park and bricks made from local clay and fired in brick-making works in Mackershaw Deer Park.

Understanding geodiversity, therefore, is an important part of understanding the site, the development of its buildings and structures and the design of its landscapes.

The National Trust and Natural England have worked together to prepare a Geodiversity Audit for the site to help with that understanding. Key recommendations in the Geodiversity Audit include: — mapping of the Lower Magnesian Limestone and the Carboniferous sandstone outcrops and Pleistocene sediments and landforms — survey of the links between geology and vegetation — survey of soil types — vegetation and stability management on exposed rock faces — inclusion of geology into the way the story of the site is told and presented The full audit is set out in Appendix 9.

Involving people in conservation Building understanding and encouraging active involvement in the conservation of the historic and natural environment is part of the core work of the National Trust, Historic England and the English Heritage Trust. The site provides opportunities for young people to develop heritage skills through a programme of apprenticeships in the building and gardening teams

and also encourages local colleges and universities to learn from the conservation work happening on the site. Heritage craft skills apprentices and University of York students undertaking an MA in Conservation Studies visited the ice houses during recent conservation work to learn about the use of traditional lime mortar.

The involvement of volunteers in the delivery of conservation work has continued to expand over the last plan period. There is a team of stone statue cleaners and a team who are monitoring the condition of over 700 archaeological sites on the estate. Volunteers also contribute to the work of the gardening teams.

Opportunities to engage visitors in conservation work through interpretation, activities and exhibitions will continue to be developed.

Resources for conservation Resources still continue to be an issue for conservation work, both staff resources for the maintenance of the garden and buildings and funding for project work. Grant schemes such as the Natural England supported Higher Level Stewardship and Countryside Stewardship, Harrogate Borough Council’s Built Environment Initiative which funds repairs to historic buildings in the Nidderdale AONB and private grant bodies such as the Wolfson Foundation make an important contribution to the estate. The site is also keen to explore the potential of other grant sources such as the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding future projects set out in the plan.

4.2.2 Environmental performance Objective K: Improve environmental practices incorporating environmental compliance, reduced energy usage, water conservation measures and sustainable resource use

K8 Increase opportunities for recycling across the estate. Priorities include the Abbey Tea Room recycling facilities for visitors and food waste recycling at the Visitor Centre restaurant.

K9 Continue mapping water supplies across the estate.

Actions to deliver objective K1 Deliver National Trust energy KPIs and achieve energy reduction targets for each year of the plan period, against 2009 baseline level.

K2 Plan and implement works to bring all buildings on the site to National Trust Bronze Standard.

K3 Embed ‘energy criteria’ in business decisions and wherever possible, ensure that both small scale and large scale renewable energy production and energy savings are incorporated in projects.

K4 Investigate feasibility and payback of a ground source heat pump at the Studley Tea Room.

K5 Change the remaining oil heated buildings to a renewable energy source, where appropriate.

K6 Set up a food waste composting programme.

K7 Communicate the environmental performance message to staff, volunteers and visitors.

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Monitoring energy usage Globally it is now understood that the use of fossil fuels for energy has a severe detrimental effect on the environment.

Reducing energy and water use and the production of waste are the priority areas for improving environmental practices for the National Trust. The Trust has made a commitment to reduce overall energy use, regardless of whether that energy comes from fossil fuel or renewables, by 20% by 2020.

A lot of work was undertaken over the last plan period to establish an energy monitoring system and a baseline energy consumption figure. The baseline is the total energy usage across the estate in 2009 and is used to compare consumption in future years. The monitoring of energy consumption is critical to longterm improvements in reducing energy usage. The National Trust Environmental Management System (EMS) will help to monitor and report on progress, providing a framework for implementation and ongoing environmental management practice. An EMS is an internationally recognised approach for organisations

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to review, measure and report on the environmental aspects and impacts of their operations.

Energy efficiency of buildings Work will continue to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings on the estate to reduce overall energy consumption and enhance the comfort of the buildings for their users. Work will be implemented to bring all buildings to the National Trust Bronze Standard. This standard is the base level of the ‘Minimum Environmental Standards for all National Trust Buildings’ and includes low-cost, relatively unobtrusive actions which are therefore feasible for most existing buildings.

These include improving insulation levels, installing double or secondary glazing, draught proofing and fitting efficient lighting and heating controls in buildings.

Renewable energy, recycling and reducing waste A ground source heat pump is now providing much of the energy for the Visitor Centre and this programme of replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy will continue to be a priority. This will include changing the remaining oil heated buildings to renewable energy sources and investigating the feasibility and payback of a ground source heat pump at Studley Tea Room.

The mantra of ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’ will be followed when considering the approach to waste management. A food waste composting programme will be created, generating compost which can be

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put to good use in the landscape. Recycling facilities will be increased across the site, making it easier for staff, volunteers and visitors to recycle their waste.

During the previous plan period the Ripon Multi-Objective Project (MOP) was in place and aimed to reduce run-off in the upper catchment of the Skell. The funding for this project has now ended. Developing a project within the wider catchment remains a priority for this plan period and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Nidderdale AONB and National Trust are currently working together to develop a project for the River Skell, the Skell Living Landscapes Project, which delivers biodiversity benefits and flood management measures.

Repairs to the Upper Canal following flooding

During the last plan period the process of mapping water supplies across the estate began, allowing leaks to be better controlled, thereby reducing water consumption. This work will continue during this plan period.

4.2.3 Water management Objective L: Develop with partners, long-term measures to manage the recurrent problems affecting the water features that arise from the catchment area Actions to deliver objective L1 Work with external agencies and riparian owners directly upstream of the site to continue to reduce the speed and amount of run-off in the upper catchment through a series of land management initiatives including development of the Skell Living Landscapes Project.

L2 Deliver the dredging projects for the Half Moon Reservoir, the Moon Ponds and the Upper Canal.

L3 Develop a project to research flood risk in the abbey ruins in response to the English Heritage Inland Flood Risk Assessment.

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Whilst project work no longer takes place in the catchment, the National Trust has begun to focus on mitigation measures within the site. The Half Moon Reservoir Project is looking at the feasibility of designing and constructing a new control weir in the Reservoir to divert excess flow through existing sluice tunnels and reduce the impact of floods on Quebec, the Upper Canal walls and the Moon Ponds.

L4 Commission research to look at market opportunities for the silt removed as part of dredging works.

L5 Continue to carry out a programme of repairs to river walls, tunnels, culverts, weirs and bridges as set out in Conservation Appendix 8.

L6 Deliver measures to improve circulation and aeration in the Moon Ponds to reduce algae build up.

The Trust is exploring ways to manage the build-up of silts and organic matter through a low cost and low impact annual cleaning programme to run alongside the current large scale dredging programme.

The large scale dredging and annual cleaning programme will continue to generate vast quantities of silt and new ways of reusing this material off site will be explored.

L7 Continue to engage with York and North Yorkshire and the Northern Upland Chain LNPs including delivery of the River Ure Priority Programme and the Yorkshire Peat Partnership Project.

L8 Review the results of the Ripon Flood Alleviation Scheme for the Skell catchment and papers reviewing delivery of the Ripon Multi-Objective Project and explore appropriate flood management measures to protect the site.

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The lack of water in the river can be equally limiting and initiatives to reduce algae growth by improving both water circulation and aeration are currently being assessed.

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Small boats remove the silt out of the Half Moon Reservoir

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Theme 3 — Access, Enjoyment and Understanding

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site is a special place that inspires many people from Yorkshire and much further afield. The site aims to welcome as many different people as possible, and provide a fantastic visitor experience for all.

This section of the plan sets out the broad approach that the site will take towards visitor experience over the next six years. This will include ensuring that the site is accessible for all, providing new and exciting interventions to attract visitors and an approach to both formal and informal learning that will share our knowledge and passion for the site. All the while, opportunities will be taken to promote public understanding of the WHS and the wider purposes and functions of UNESCO. New and stimulating volunteering opportunities will encourage the site to be shared and enjoyed in a ‘hands-on’ way.

4.3 Introduction

4.3.1 Access for everyone Objective M: Ensure the WHS is welcoming and accessible to all who visit Actions to deliver objective M1 Work with local disability groups to understand their needs better.

M2 Identify partners to work with to deliver staff training in order to improve understanding and awareness of the needs of visitors with a range of disabilities.

M3 Deliver the recommendations from the Access Audit.

M4 Develop a toolkit for project managers to ensure that the needs of disabled visitors are considered in the project planning process.

M5 Address the physical access issues on the site, such as the gradient of the path linking the Visitor Centre and the abbey and gardens and access to Deer Cottage disabled toilets.

M6 Improve pre-visit and on-site information for disabled visitors.

M7 Present a positive image of visitors with disabilities and those from ethnic groups in marketing materials.

M8 Continue to take part in Heritage Open Day providing free entry to the estate.

18th century dancing in the water garden as part of World Heritage Weekend

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Access for visitors with a wide range of disabilities Delivery of the recommendations from the recent Access Audit will be a key feature of this plan. An access steering group will be created to ensure an estate-wide approach to access issues. Key recommendations from the Access Audit include: — improving pre-visit and on-site information to help disabled visitors to plan their day — providing induction loops at catering, retail and admissions areas — creating an access statement — addressing the physical access issues on site such as the gradient of the path linking the Visitor Centre and abbey and access to Deer Cottage disabled toilets In all activity, whether the operational day to day or longer term project planning, access issues should be considered. During this plan period the project planning frameworks will be reviewed to include consideration of such issues.

Working with partners will be crucial if the site is to deliver its access ambitions.

Local disability groups and charities have a deep understanding of the challenges that face less able visitors. Working with these groups, training for staff and volunteers will be developed to give them the confidence to meet the needs of visitors with a wide range of disabilities.

Social, economic and cultural access The site should be accessible for all, including those from low income and ethnic minority backgrounds. It is important, in the spirit of World Heritage, that as many people as possible can experience the site. Free access on foot to the wider estate including the deer park and Seven Bridges Valley will be maintained during this plan period as many local people, and those from further afield, consider this area to be a valued green space in the Ripon area. Participation in the annual Heritage Open Days event will continue, which gives everyone free admission to the site for one day. The National Trust will also continue promotion of the Ripon resident passes which allow free entry to the site on selected days throughout the year. In pre-visit information, positive imagery will be used to break down barriers to engagement with minority ethnic groups.

4.3.2 Visitor Experience Objective N: Ensure a very enjoyable visit and deliver informal learning opportunities for all through an engaging visitor experience rooted in property stories and the outstanding universal value and wider values of the WHS Actions to deliver objective N1 Continue to develop visitor activities such as World Heritage Weekend which promote understanding of the WHS, its OUV and other associated values & the wider purposes and functions of UNESCO. N2 Deliver the National Trust Visitor Experience Project.

N3 Deliver interpretation in the abbey and water garden.

N4 Update the interpretation in the mill

Developing understanding of the OUV of the WHS and the World Heritage Convention Visitor feedback and market research has shown that visitors often struggle to make sense of the site’s history, the reasons for the WHS designation, the World Heritage Convention and the aims of UNESCO. The dual nature of the abbey as a monastic ruin and an 18th century romantic folly

Theme 3 Chapter

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

N5 Establish a vision for Quebec.

N6 Embed Spirit of Place in the day to day operation of the site.

N7 Monitor and respond to the National Trust Visitor Enjoyment scores and customer feedback monthly.

N8 Explore the possibility of opening Kitchen Bank stone store once a year as part of Heritage Open Day or similar event.

N9 Explore the possibility of putting a secure and accessible exhibition case in St Mary’s Church.

N10 Update the guidebook for St Mary’s Church.

N11 Redisplay decorative stonework, currently stored at Kitchen Bank stone store, in the abbey.

is often missed by visitors and research shows that fewer visitors experience the water garden compared with the abbey.

Many visitors think it is only the abbey, rather than the inclusion of the abbey in the 18th century garden, which is the reason for the estate’s WHS inscription.

This is something that the estate is keen to explain further to visitors during this plan period through integrated interpretation on site at key points on the visitor journey.

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It is equally important during this plan period to explain to visitors and stakeholders the wider role of UNESCO as a body that seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world. This and the role that the World Heritage Convention plays, will be a key communication message during this plan period for promotional activity and when delivering events such as World Heritage Weekend and on-site interpretation.

Our approach to interpretation The estate has a varied and rich history, and many fascinating stories to tell. Telling all of the estate’s stories at once or in a piecemeal way can be confusing for visitors, particularly if the main narratives, that of the founding, rise and fall of the abbey and the creation of the 18th century water garden, are not explained. While the current forms of interpretation are popular with visitors, such as the Porter’s Lodge interpretation centre, guidebook, guided tours and the information in the mill, customer feedback has shown that visitors would still like more information, particularly regarding the abbey and the water garden.

Much work was undertaken during the last plan period to better understand the different audience groups who visit the site. This has shown that people visit the site for many different reasons and with different preferences as to how they like to find out about a place. These differences will be reflected in how interpretation is developed on the site.

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The estate has recently developed a ‘Spirit of Place’ statement. This is a tool that the National Trust uses to inform its visitor experience, in particular how pre-visit information, interpretation, presentation and the programming of events and activities can create an experience that reflects the very essence of a place. The Conservation Action Plan (see Appendix 8) also has recommendations for how different parts of the estate should be brought to life for visitors. These two tools will be used to inform the approach to visitor experience over the six year plan period. A layered approach to interpretation will be developed which retains elements that are currently popular while also developing other more immersive approaches such as contemporary art, sensory experiences and living history.

Key guiding principles and themes when developing interpretation on site during this plan period will include: — raising awareness and understanding of the World Heritage Site and its outstanding universal value — raising awareness of the role of UNESCO and the World Heritage Convention — explaining the conservation work that takes place to protect and conserve the WHS for future generations — raising the profile of the water garden; rebalancing the experience on site to be less focussed on the abbey ruins

the families who lived here and upgrade existing interpretation where necessary — utilising a variety of interpretive techniques which appeal to different audiences and learning styles — using the most appropriate tools for getting the message across including digital and immersive experiences — being mindful not to clutter the landscape when the place can speak for itself The above themes will be used in a storymapping approach, ensuring that the most appropriate and relevant interpretation is used at the correct point in the visitor journey to deliver a cohesive narrative for visitors.

Developing the visitor experience A number of key projects are planned during this plan period which will enhance the visitor experience on site. Projects include: — new interpretation in the water garden which draws on the outstanding universal value of the site and the stories of the family who created the landscape.

A feasibility study will take place to look into provision of a power supply in the water gardens, opening up the interpretative possibilities in that area of the WHS — a programme of contemporary art in the follies in the water garden

— developing interpretation at key points which draw on the rich narratives and

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Chapter3 Theme

— a new visitor experience in Swanley Grange which reflects its agricultural past and connects it to the abbey story — a consistent approach to presentation and interpretation on site which enhances the experience for visitors — a feasibility study for Fountains Hall which considers options for how this building can play a more pivotal role in the visitor experience — a Visitor Centre and Studley Royal masterplan. This project considers how both entrances can be improved in terms of visitor welcome, enterprise, presentation and interpretation. One aspect of this project is looking to develop a more direct walking route between the Visitor Centre and Studley Royal, making the 18th century garden more accessible to visitors. Improving the presentation and interpretation at the Studley Royal entrance will help visitors to understand the site’s outstanding universal value and the significance of the eighteenth century water garden — development of a vision for Quebec, a lost garden feature of the eighteenth century landscape — improved interpretation in the mill

Improving visitor enjoyment An engaging and inspiring visitor experience is crucial to ensure that visitors keep coming back and recommend the site to their friends and family. An enjoyable visit means different things to different people. It is essential that the National Trust understands the needs of its visitors to develop a visitor experience that appeals to all.

The National Trust’s key performance indicator for the quality of the visitor experience is the ‘VE score’. This is the percentage of people who, on completing either an online or paper survey after their visit, rate their experience of the estate as ‘very enjoyable’. Trust research has shown that a number of elements contribute towards a ‘very enjoyable visit’ including presentation of the site, customer service, catering, and how the site is interpreted for different visitors. The national target is for a VE score of 65%, a target which the estate regularly surpasses.

Customer feedback is monitored monthly from a variety of sources including the National Trust survey described above, comment cards, emails to the property and Trip Advisor. In 2014 the site received a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ from Trip Advisor for its consistently high reviews.

The National Trust at all its properties has an aspiration to deliver ‘exceptional service, every time, for everyone’ as part of its ‘Service Promise’. Work has already begun on further developing a customer service culture on the estate, with all staff and volunteers undertaking training in the ‘Service Promise’. During the plan period this focus will continue.

4.3.3 Learning Objective O: Share our knowledge, experience and understanding of the WHS to promote education and learning about both the site and the appreciation and care of heritage

O7 Investigate the development of supplementary education activities on site and a regional programme for delivering learning around green and outdoor heritage.

O8 Contribute to the Capability Brown Festival in 2016.

Actions to deliver objective O1 Maintain the quality of the learning programme and respond to changes in the curricula and syllabuses of schools and colleges.

O2 Develop relationships with local schools, engendering a love of this place in the local community and build on existing partnerships.

O3 Develop an offer that has a broad appeal including online resources, selfled activities, outreach activities and led visits.

O4 Develop a programme of induction, training, monitoring and support of National Trust education volunteers and monitor feedback by education visitors to ensure that the delivery of workshops is excellent.

O5 Improve the facilities at Swanley Grange Learning Centre, including upgraded toilets.

O6 Work with local partners such as Harrogate and Ripon Education Visits Network to improve the learning programme.

Chapter3 Theme

Education is important for passing on the values of World Heritage Sites and ensuring their care for future generations to enjoy. It is a common thread which runs throughout the visitor experience on site. In its broadest sense it includes activities such as formal learning offered to schools and colleges, informal activities such as bug box making, the day-today interactions between visitors and the estate team, interpretation on site and more immersive and experiential programming such as contemporary art.

Education even plays a role in the site’s promotional activity, with the website a key tool in communicating the history of the site and its ongoing conservation programme.

The site is proud of its formal learning programme and the focus for the plan period will be to continue to develop the programme, responding to the changes in the curricula and syllabuses of schools and colleges. Around 12,000 students a year visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal WHS as part of an educational group.

Many students participate in learning activities led by the National Trust, while others are self-led. The aims of the learning

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

programme are to encourage schools to visit and return to the site by providing a high quality experience for students and teachers which is responsive to their individual needs. Working with schools and learning networks such as other National Trust Learning Officers and the Harrogate and Ripon Education Network will ensure the learning programme is regularly revised and refreshed so it remains relevant.

The National Trust already has links with local schools and colleges including Ripon Grammar School, Harrogate College and Fountains School in Grantley and will continue to employ careful planning, welldesigned resources and trained learning volunteers to help engender love of the site and its heritage in others.

The facilities available on site, such as the Swanley Grange Learning Centre, are also important for successful school visits and their condition must be refreshed and maintained to cater for a range of students of different ages and abilities.

The learning offer is not solely limited to schools but can open up a breadth of learning opportunities to other groups. The WHS has hosted a range of conferences and seminars in partnership with organisations such as Natural England and the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust to share best practice in management of the natural and cultural values of the WHS and wider issues around natural flood management. The Trust also regularly works with local universities and colleges on projects around garden design, building conservation, archaeological survey, marketing and promotion of the WHS and volunteer management. In 2015, the

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WHS will provide a base for the English Heritage Measured Survey for Cultural Heritage summer school. There are also a fully trained group of fifty volunteer guides who run daily tours about the history and design of the garden and the abbey. The guides also carry out specialist tours for visiting groups which includes academic and professional institutions. The National Trust has delivered lectures both in the UK and in other WHSs in Europe, on the heritage management of the WHS. Continuing to work with ICOMOS-UK and other partners, the potential to develop a programme of education activities aimed at adults as part of a regional programme of heritage training events will be explored.

The purpose of the programme will be to share good practice with regards to the management of heritage sites.

4.3.4 Volunteering Objective P: Provide volunteering opportunities that encourage active involvement and inspire support for the WHS Actions to deliver objective P1 Continue to identify opportunities to develop new volunteer roles that support the needs of the site e.g. in visitor experience, learning, gardening.

P2 Continue to use the National Trust’s annual volunteer survey to evaluate the success of volunteering and address any concerns.

P3 Invest in volunteer training, both role specific and general including the development of a volunteer estate handbook.

P4 Continue to develop the confidence and expertise of all staff who manage volunteers.

Volunteers make a significant contribution towards the day to day running of the estate, fulfilling a wide variety of roles which all contribute to sustaining the values of the WHS. From catering to gardening, information assistants to the archaeological monitoring team, the number of roles in which volunteers are engaged continues to grow as the needs of the WHS change and develop. There are approximately 400 regular volunteers and together with group volunteering and those on working holidays, they contributed 30,589 hours to the operation of the estate in 2013/14.

The National Trust carries out an annual survey of volunteers to measure volunteer satisfaction. In 2014, 63% of volunteers at the property strongly agreed and 100% agreed and/or strongly agreed with the statement: ‘I would recommend volunteering with the National Trust’. Each year the results of the survey are analysed and an action plan is developed to address any issues to ensure volunteer satisfaction remains high.

P5 Support the career development of graduates and increase the prospect of their future employment through the National Trust Internship Programme.

P6 Offer regular work experience placements to school and college pupils in the local area and ensure that their experience is meaningful and enjoyable.

P7 Consult volunteers during the initiation of new projects and plans to involve them in the management of the site.

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Chapter3 Theme

The estate is committed to the highest standards of volunteer induction and training and prides itself on the high quality of both. During this plan period a volunteer estate handbook will be created as a reference point for all volunteers.

As the visitor experience develops on site, there are increasing opportunities to involve volunteers in a wider range of roles and there is an ambition to involve volunteers more in the management of the WHS and delivery of the WHS Management Plan.

The site will continue to offer engaging work experience placements to local school children as a way of introducing young people to the WHS and inspiring them in a lasting way.

A Day in the Life of a Monk family activity in the abbey

Chapter3 Theme

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

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Theme 4: Local Community Links and Partnerships

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Parkrun attracts over 200 runners each week

Chapter4 Theme

4.4 Introduction As a World Heritage Site (WHS), it is vital that the estate continues to play an important role in the local community. This section of the plan sets out the approach that the site will take to ensure it remains relevant to its local and wider communities of interest.

Working in partnership will continue to be a key feature in this plan. By working collaboratively with partner organisations that have similar goals and objectives, the actions in this plan can be delivered in a mutually beneficial way.

4.4.1 Partnership Working Objective Q — Work through strong partnerships with local communities and other local, regional and national stakeholders Q1 Maintain and strengthen links with the local community through volunteering opportunities and a local newsletter.

Q2 Explore new ways to engage the local community with the site.

Q3 Promote the WHS as a place to improve health and wellbeing, for example through community bike rides, Parkrun and outdoor volunteering opportunities.

Q4 Maximise international links and partnerships through Welcome to Yorkshire and opportunities presented by other Destination Management Organisations, and through sharing management experience with sites in the UK, Europe and further afield.

Q5 Raise the profile of World Heritage in the UK by working with the newly formed World Heritage-UK and other World Heritage Sites.

Q6 Continue to engage with the wide range of partnerships in the local area to deliver objectives in this plan.

Q7 Continue to engage with tourism groups to further the promotion of the WHS and enable access to market research.

Theme 4 Chapter

Delegates from across the UK attended a seminar to share learning about management of WHSs

Local community engagement Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal WHS is a special place for many people, particularly those communities in the Ripon area, many of whom have grown up visiting the site. There are also a number of people who live locally that may not visit, and may not think of the National Trust as being ‘for them’. Through working with the local community, and being responsive to their needs, the site can ensure it remains relevant in the coming years. The site is represented on the Connecting Ripon Group which is made up of a number of community groups with the aim to deliver ‘a more connected area where our communities work together to make the city and rural parishes a great place to live, work and play’. The site also hosts local mental health groups, providing opportunities for active involvement in conservation work such as gardening.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

One of the National Trust’s key strategic aims is to get more people outdoors and closer to nature. To deliver this strategy the site is developing more walking, cycling and running opportunities for current and new audiences. The Trust has developed a partnership with Parkrun, a not-for-profit organisation, which organises free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. The site hosts a weekly Parkrun every Saturday which has been very well received by the local community, attracting on average 220 runners a week. The site also hosts free family bike rides, allowing children to cycle and picnic by the abbey and the water garden in a safe environment. Horse riding is also a popular activity in the local area and the current provision of routes through the WHS will be reviewed. During the course of this plan, the site will aim to further develop its role as a place for the local community to improve their health and wellbeing.

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Working with partners Stakeholder involvement not only concerns volunteer and visitor engagement but also strengthens relationships with local landowners and other key partners. The WHS Stakeholder and Steering Groups include the National Trust and external representatives from various groups.

Through relationships with such groups, WHS priorities are delivered and the outstanding universal value of the WHS maintained. Some of the key partnerships are set out in the table.

As a major tourism attraction in the region, the estate maintains a strong network of partners to share best practice and information and to identify opportunities for mutual promotion. Engagement with partners, particularly Destination Management Organisations such as Visit Harrogate, Visit York and Welcome to Yorkshire, is crucial to increase promotion and raise awareness of the WHS. The site is also well connected in Ripon, through tourism partnerships such as the Ripon Ring, and through involvement with the Ripon City Plan group, Discover Ripon and the Greater Ripon Improvement Partnership (GRIP). The availability of accurate data regarding the tourism and leisure market is critical in enabling the site to make sound decisions regarding marketing and the creation of new visitor offers. During this plan period the site will work with Visit Harrogate and partners to ensure that the site has access to the most relevant research to enable this to happen.

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Strategy/Partnership

Links to the WHS objectives

World Heritage UK (WH-UK)

This is the newly formed network of World Heritage Sites across the UK. The network provides opportunities for sharing good practice between sites, developing joint projects and delivering better branding and promotion of WHSs.

Harrogate Borough Council — Harrogate Borough Council Local Plan and Heritage Management Guidance.

The planning and policy documents which cover the WHS, buffer zone and surrounding area ensure the maintenance of the outstanding universal value of the WHS.

North Yorkshire and York Local Nature Partnership (LNP)

A small part of the site lies within the North Yorkshire and York LNP. This LNP has identified 7 landscapes, known as priority areas, to pilot activity. Within that LNP, which covers a vast area, is a priority programme for the River Ure. The River Ure Priority Programme will help raise awareness of water management issues and biodiversity on the site and surrounding area.

Northern Upland Chain Local Nature Partnership

Over 90% of the site falls within the Northern Upland Chain LNP. A key project within the Northern Upland Chain area is the Yorkshire Peat Project. The Yorkshire Peat Partnership has potential to improve land management upstream of the WHS thereby reducing flash flooding and silt deposition.

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan

The whole site lies within the Nidderdale AONB and the NT is represented on the Nidderdale Joint Advisory Committee and Heritage Steering Group. The Nidderdale AONB Management Plan includes management policies to protect the landscape, promote enjoyment of the area and support its sustainable development.

Ripon City Plan

The site has close links with Ripon and has been working with the Ripon City Plan Committee to develop policies in the plan which protect the OUV of the WHS.

Tourism partnerships including Welcome to Yorkshire, Visit Harrogate, the Ripon Ring, Discover Ripon and the Greater Ripon Improvement Partnership

Sharing best practice and information with neighbouring attractions enables the site to develop its own visitor experience and marketing objectives.

Disability groups including Visits Unlimited and Dementia Forward

Visits Unlimited are a Community Interest Company working within the field of accessible tourism. They have provided training and advice and ‘mystery visitor’ reports for the site.

Dementia Forward is a local dementia support charity that has provided awareness training and worked with the site to provide days out for those they support.

Northern History Forum, Ripon and Harrogate Education Officers Network

The Ripon and Harrogate Education Officers Network provides a forum for sharing good practice in the delivery of education activities, specifically school visits. The Northern History Forum is the key forum for history teachers and related professionals and provides training and an opportunity to showcase our learning programme.

Transport partnerships including the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Partnership

A new informal partnership of Dales bus users, operators and key stakeholders has been established in the Yorkshire Dales to raise usage and awareness of local public transport networks. The aim of the Partnership is to create a network to encourage local communities, including businesses, to get actively involved in the promotion and improvement of their local bus and train services, including Community Transport services.

Community partnerships

The site has a representative on the ‘Connecting Ripon’ group which is organised by the Ripon Centre for Voluntary Service and involves a number of community organisations in Ripon. By being part of this group new ways for people to experience the site can be explored.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Chapter4 Theme

4.2 Local and Regional Economy Objective R: Optimise the positive impact of the WHS on the local and regional economy Actions to deliver objective R1 Explore opportunities to research and evidence the value of the two World Heritage Sites in Yorkshire to optimise their contribution to the local economy and communities.

R2 Engage with the two overlapping Local Enterprise Partnerships and the National Park and AONB strategy which forms part of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Strategic Plan, to explore ways to optimise the positive impact of the WHS on the economy.

R3 Continue to provide high quality apprenticeships and internships in building skills such as joinery and masonry, landscaping and horticultural skills and in events and volunteer management.

There is recognition among a range of partners that the WHS plays a key role in the local and regional economy. The WHS is one of the most visited tourism attractions in Yorkshire, an employer, runs a programme of internships and apprenticeships and sources a wide range of services from the local area. There is a need to develop an understanding of the role of the site in the local and regional economy so it can be optimised.

LEP Strategy

Links to WHS objectives

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership Strategic Economic Plan March 2014

The site lies within two overlapping Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas: the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP and the Leeds City Region LEP. Local Enterprise Partnerships are business led partnerships with the public sector and their purpose is to grow the economy and create good quality local jobs. Both LEPs have produced strategic economic plans and the WHS can play an important part in helping deliver economic priorities for the area.

The WHS is part of the North Yorkshire cultural offer which is identified as a major strength of the LEP area in the Strategic Plan. The WHS can help deliver one of the three priorities, ‘Inspired People’, by continuing to provide opportunities for high quality apprenticeships and internships. In addition, the site has a key role in creating successful and distinctive places. Core activity under this priority is sustainable growth in the Dales, Moors and Wolds which includes maximising the strengths of market towns such as Ripon and raising the quality of the visitor infrastructure. Core activities around the priority to create a well-connected economy such as improving east/west connections, easing congestion in York and Harrogate and enhancing the reliability of current transport networks could also support the sustainable development of the site.

Any future economic development will be carefully managed to ensure it does not have a negative impact on the outstanding universal value of the WHS.

The Strategic Plan includes a strategy for the National Parks and AONBs in the LEP area. The WHS lies within Nidderdale AONB. Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Strategic Economic Plan March 2014

R4 Sustain the number of jobs at the site.

R5 Maintain and increase use of local businesses.

R6 Maintain, and where possible, increase the contribution the site makes to the local and regional economy through tourism.

Theme 4 Chapter

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

The WHS is listed as part of the strength of the region and one of the ‘world renowned’ cultural, leisure and tourism facilities. Key priorities set out in the Strategic Economic Plan are supporting growing businesses, developing a skilled and flexible workforce, building a resource smart city region and delivering the infrastructure for growth.

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4.4.3 Green Transport Objective S — Ensure sustainable access to the WHS by broadening opportunities to travel by bus, bike or on foot Actions to deliver objective S1 Work with partners to explore opportunities to expand bus service provision to the estate.

S2 Monitor current use of the public bus service and develop a programme of measures to promote the current bus service to demonstrate commercial viability.

Public Transport

Walking and Cycling

Many of the local bus routes have been reduced or cut completely over the past few years and the National Trust does not have the resources to sustain an alternative bus service. Greater promotion of the available public transport options will be a focus over the plan period which will hopefully lead to an increase in services once demand is evident. The estate will also look to work with partners to encourage greater provision of bus services in the Yorkshire Dales. The Trust has just signed up as partner to the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Partnership and will be working through that group to promote and improve bus services to the WHS and the wider area.

The National Trust has actively encouraged cyclists for several years and the opportunities around cycling in the area have increased significantly since the Way of the Roses route was formed, passing directly through the deer park and then joining the main road into Ripon. Safer cycling routes from Ripon to the WHS and links with other local cycling networks are being considered and will continue to be investigated over the plan period.

S3 Improve cycling facilities at Studley Royal and West Gate admission points and increase storage space at the Visitor Centre to allow the safe storage of helmets and rucksacks.

The Tour De France Grand DĂŠpart held in Yorkshire in July 2014 generated further interest in cycling around the region and the estate is keen to build on that legacy.

All those who have cycled to the property are entitled to a free cup of tea and new bike racks have been fitted at the Visitor Centre, with plans to continue this work at the other estate entrances.

Walking will also be encouraged. During the last plan period, walks were developed linking the site with neighbouring sites such as Hackfall designed landscape and Markenfield Hall. Working with partners, the National Trust will also promote walks to and from Ripon and links to the bus service.

S4 Explore options for an off-road cycle route between Ripon city centre and the Studley Royal Deer Park S5 Develop a network of walking routes that link the site with other local places of interest such as Brimham Rocks, Markenfield Hall and historic Ripon.

S6 Increase the marketing and promotion of green transport options, including cycling and walking, available to visitors.

S7 Implement a car share scheme amongst staff and volunteers.

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Chapter4 Theme

The Aislabie walk links Studley Royal with Hackfall designed landscape

Theme 4 Chapter

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

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Chapter 5: Action plan

View to Studley Tea Room and Canal Gates from the lake

The action plan sets out how the plan objectives and actions set out in Chapter 4 will be delivered. Each action is attached to a key partner and timescale that will help to monitor the implementation of the plan. The delivery of the actions in the plan will be monitored annually. A set of key monitoring indicators has also been developed to measure the impact of the actions in the plan.

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Chapter 5

Theme 1: Overall management approach Objective

Action

Monitoring indicator

Leader (in bold) & key partners

Timescale

A: Ensure holistic and sustainable management to maintain the OUV of the WHS and achieve the vision

A1 Raise awareness of the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value and its role in planning and management of the site.

Delivery of WHS Plan

NT/HE/EHT/HBC

Ongoing

A2 Develop a set of attributes of the OUV of the site.

NT/HE/EHT/HBC

2015

A3 Prepare and deliver the WHS Management Plan 2015-2021.

WHSSG/all

2015-2021

A4 Agree resources for the delivery of WHS management responsibilities by owners and partners.

WHSSG

2015

A5 Continue to hold an annual stakeholder event and produce regular newsletters for partners.

WHSSG/all

Annually

B1 Review the Conservation for Access Toolkit 2013 and implement recommendations.

NT/EHT/HE

2015

B2 Continue to develop the zoning and programming approach to visitor management on site.

NT/HE/EHT/HBC

2015-20

B3 Monitor the impact of traffic and visitor use on Studley Royal Deer Park.

NT/EHT/NE

Ongoing

B4 Develop and implement a plan of repairs to the abbey paths and entrances.

NT/EHT/HE

2016-2019

B: Retain the distinctiveness, sense of historical continuity and peaceful beauty of the site

C: Ensure adequate and sustainable financial and human resources to maintain the OUV of the WHS and achieve the vision for the site

C1 Increase overall National Trust annual income to finance conservation works.

% increase annual income

NT

Annually

C2 Develop and deliver the Visitor Experience Project, creating new visitor offers and a masterplan for improving the Visitor Centre and Studley Royal entrances.

Number of visitors

NT/EHT/HE/HBC

2015-18

NT

Ongoing

C4 Review and update the estate’s three year marketing strategy and produce an annual marketing action plan.

NT

Ongoing

C5 Identify fundraising opportunities and available grants to support conservation work.

NT/EHT/HE/NE/owners/HLF & other funding bodies

Ongoing

C6 Hold annual legacy days to enthuse potential donors with conservation work.

NT/EHT

Annually

C7 Continue to carry out staff surveys and deliver action plans to ensure staff satisfaction.

NT

Annually

NT/EHT/HE/HBC

2015-2020

D2 Ensure all owners, staff and volunteers within the World Heritage Site know how to contribute to the high standards of presentation of the site through sharing and celebrating good practice.

NT/EHT/owners

Ongoing

D3 Ensure regular maintenance of historic structures and visitor infrastructure.

NT/EHT/owners

Ongoing

C3 Develop peak season additional enterprise capacity.

D: Deliver high standards of presentation and maintenance of the buildings, landscape and visitor infrastructure

D1 Maintain the standard of visitor infrastructure such as toilets, catering and retail, signage, car parks and footpaths. Priority projects include improvements to the toilets at Studley Royal car park, an upgrade to the Visitor Centre car park and delivery of the signage programme.

Chapter 5

Staff satisfaction results

Condition of historic structures & visitor infrastructure

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E: Ensure the conservation and enhancement of the OUV of the WHS, its buffer zone and wider setting are taken into account in the preparation and implementation of planning, regulatory and policy documents which might affect it

E1 Finalise and adopt policies which protect the OUV of the WHS, its buffer zone and wider setting in the revised Harrogate Borough Council Local Plan.

HBC/ NT/EHT/HE

2019

RCPC/HBC/NT/HE

2017

HE/NT/HBC

Ongoing

WHSSG/HBC/NT/HE/ EHT/Nidderdale AONB/ landowners

2016-2017

WHSSG/HBC/NT/HE/ EHT/Nidderdale AONB/ landowners

2018

NT/HE/EHT/NE/EA/HBC/ Nidderdale AONB

2016

NT/HE/EHT/NE/EA/HBC/ Nidderdale AONB

2016

NT

Ongoing

H2 Produce a new Shoot/National Trust Management Agreement.

NT/Shoot

2015

H3 Ensure that historical features connected to the site and in Shoot ownership are protected and their condition is stable.

HE/NT/Shoot/HBC

Ongoing

NT/EHT/HE/Universities & Colleges

2015-2020

I2 Develop an archaeological research framework for the WHS, with a specific focus on the abbey precinct area.

NT/HE/EHT/Universities & Colleges

2015

I3 Carry out research on the statuary collection of the water garden.

NT/EHT/HE/Universities & Colleges

2017

I4 Develop a project to produce a digital archive of the surveys and reports about the estate.

NT/EHT/HE/WYAS/NYCC/ Universities & Colleges

2015-2018

I5 Publish the archaeological and historical survey of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.

NT

2015

I6 Improve the accessibility of research projects and archaeological investigations undertaken on the site.

NT/EHT/HE/NYCC/WYAS/ Universities & Colleges

Ongoing

E2 Ensure policies to protect the WHS, buffer zone and wider setting are included in the Ripon City Plan.

Inclusion of WHS policies in development plans covering the area

E3 Historic England and National Trust to respond to planning applications with a potential impact on the OUV of the site.

F: Ensure the boundaries of the WHS include the area that gives the site its outstanding universal value

F1 Review the boundaries of the WHS in partnership with local landowners.

Area of WHS

F2 If the review demonstrates the boundary of the WHS should be revised a proposal will be prepared and submitted to the World Heritage Committee for approval.

G: Examine the impact of climate change on all objectives and adopt a strategy for accommodation and adaptation

G1 Set up a monitoring programme to improve understanding of the current and future impact of climate change on the WHS.

Climate Change Risk Assessment completed

G2 Produce a Climate Change Risk Assessment for the WHS. H: Minimise the impact of the Shoot on access, the historic and natural environment and woodland management

I: Facilitate and encourage research to improve knowledge and understanding of the WHS to inform its management.

Ensure that the results of such research are shared

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H1 Seek to acquire the shooting rights that cover National Trust land should they become available.

I1 Deliver a programme of research to inform restoration of the water garden. Priorities include an archaeological survey of the site of the Rotondo adjacent to the Banqueting House and Rustic Lodge next to Tent Hill

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Chapter 5

New Management Agreement completed

Number of research projects completed

Theme 2: Conservation and environmental performance Objective

Action

Monitoring indicator

Leader (in bold) & key partners

Timescale

J: Ensure the highest standards of conservation management and enhancement of the whole WHS. This includes the garden and designed landscape, built heritage (including archaeology) and the natural heritage (biodiversity and geodiversity) of the site

J1 Deliver the Conservation Management Plan priorities set out in Appendix 8.

% Increase in NT Conservation Performance Indicator score

EHT/HE/NT/NE/HBC & other partners

2015-2021

NT/EHT/HE/HBC/local natural & cultural heritage interest groups

2016

J3 Organise a programme of talks, leaflets and digital media to share the conservation priorities for the site with stakeholders, visitors and communities.

NT/HE/EHT/ /Nidderdale AONB/NE & other partners

Ongoing

J4 Produce a Heritage Partnership Agreement for Fountains Abbey Scheduled Monument.

NT /EHT/HE

2015

J5 Prepare and deliver a prioritised programme of conservation works from the Asset Management Plan for the abbey ruins.

EHT/HE/NT

2015

J6 Review the condition and location of the artefacts in the mill to improve the state of their environment.

EHT/NT

2016

J7 Promote access to objects held by the English Heritage Trust at Helmsley Store by making the entire collection accessible online and linked with the National Trust website.

EHT/NT

2018

J8 Support loan requests from the collection held by the English Heritage Trust at Helmsley Store.

EHT

Ongoing

J9 Complete the condition survey of all the archaeological sites on the property and implement management measures for their conservation.

NT/volunteers

2015-17

J10 Record the ancient and venerable trees for the Woodland Trust National Register.

NT/NE/Woodland Trust/ volunteers/local groups

2015-17

J11 Produce a deadwood policy for the deer parks.

NT/NE

2016

J12 Deliver the Key Habitats and Species Monitoring Programme.

NT/NE/volunteers/local groups

2015-2020

J13 Deliver recommendations in the Geodiversity Audit set out in Appendix 9.

NT/NE/local geology groups/volunteers

2015-2020

NT

Annual

K2 Plan and implement works to bring all buildings on the site to National Trust Bronze Standard.

NT/HE/HBC

2016

K3 Embed ‘energy criteria’ in business decisions and wherever possible, ensure that both small scale and large scale renewable energy production and energy savings are incorporated in projects.

NT/HE/HBC

Ongoing

K4 Investigate feasibility and payback of a ground source heat pump at the Studley Tea Room.

NT

2016

K5 Change the remaining oil heated buildings to a renewable energy source, where appropriate.

NT/HE/HBC

2016

K: Improve environmental practices incorporating environmental compliance, reduced energy usage, water conservation measures and sustainable resource use

J2 Review the Conservation Management Plan.

Delivery of projects from the Conservation Action Plan.

K1 Deliver National Trust energy KPIs and achieve energy reduction targets for each year of the plan period, against 2009 baseline level.

Chapter 5

Reduction in total energy usage

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L: Develop with partners, long-term measures to manage the recurrent problems affecting the water features that arise from the catchment area

K6 Set up a food waste composting programme.

NT/HBC/NYCC

2016

K7 Communicate the environmental performance message to staff, volunteers and visitors.

NT

Ongoing

K8 Increase opportunities for recycling across the estate. Priorities include the Abbey Tea Room recycling facilities for visitors and food waste recycling at the Visitor Centre restaurant.

NT/NYCC/HBC

2015/16

K9 Continue mapping water supplies across the estate.

NT/Yorkshire Water

Ongoing

NT/ YDRT/Nidderdale AONB/landowners/NE/EA/ YWT/NYCC

Ongoing

NT

2015-2017

L3 Develop a project to research flood risk in the abbey ruins in response to the English Heritage Inland Flood Risk Assessment.

NT/EHT/HE/Universities & Colleges

2017

L4 Commission research to look at market opportunities for the silt removed as part of dredging works.

NT/EA/Universities & Colleges

2018

L5 Continue to carry out a programme of repairs to river walls, tunnels, culverts, weirs and bridges as set out in Conservation Appendix 8.

NT/EHT/HE/NYCC/EA/HBC

Annual programme

L6 Deliver measures to improve circulation and aeration in the Moon Ponds to reduce algae build up.

NT/HE/NYCC/EA/HBC

2015

L7 Continue to engage with York and North Yorkshire and the Northern Upland Chain LNPs including delivery of the River Ure Priority Programme and the Yorkshire Peat Partnership Project.

NT/LNPs

Ongoing

L8 Review the results of the Ripon Flood Alleviation Scheme on the Skell catchment and papers reviewing delivery of the Ripon Multi-Objective Project and explore appropriate flood management measures to protect the site.

NT/ EA/Nidderdale AONB/ HBC/NYCC

2016

L1 Work with external agencies and riparian owners directly upstream of the site to continue to reduce the speed and amount of run-off in the upper catchment through a series of land management initiatives, including development of the Skell Living Landscapes Project.

L2 Deliver the dredging projects for the Half Moon Reservoir, the Moon Ponds and the Upper Canal.

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No of projects delivered in catchment No of days per year site flooded

Theme 3: Access, enjoyment and understanding Objective

Action

Monitoring indicator

Leader (in bold) & key partners

Timescale

M: Ensure the WHS is welcoming and accessible to all who visit

M1 Work with local disability groups to understand their needs better.

Actions delivered from Access Audit

NT/local disability groups/ Ripon Museums/Connecting Ripon

2015

M2 Identify partners to work with to deliver staff training in order to improve understanding and awareness of the needs of visitors with a range of disabilities.

NT/local disability groups/ Ripon Museums/Connecting Ripon

2015-2016

M3 Deliver the recommendations from the Access Audit.

NT/EHT/HE/HBC

2016-2021

M4 Develop a toolkit for project managers to ensure that the needs of disabled visitors are considered in the project planning process.

NT/local disability groups

2016

M5 Address the physical access issues on the site, such as the gradient of the path linking the Visitor Centre and the abbey and gardens and access to Deer Cottage disabled toilets.

NT/EHT/HE/HBC/local disability groups

2016-2018

M6 Improve pre-visit and on-site information for disabled visitors.

NT/local disability groups

2016

M7 Present a positive image of visitors with disabilities and those from ethnic groups in marketing materials.

NT/local disability groups

Ongoing

M8 Continue to take part in Heritage Open Day providing free entry to the estate.

NT/Heritage Open Day

Annual

NT/EHT/HE/HBC

2015-2021

N2 Deliver the National Trust Visitor Experience Project.

NT/EHT/HE/HBC and other partners

2015-2021

N3 Deliver interpretation in the abbey and water garden.

NT/EHT/HE/HBC

2015-2018

N4 Update the interpretation in the mill.

NT/EHT/HE

2017

N5 Establish a vision for Quebec.

NT/HE/HBC and other partners

2018

N6 Embed Spirit of Place in the day to day operation of the site.

NT

Ongoing

N7 Monitor and respond to the National Trust Visitor Enjoyment scores and customer feedback monthly.

NT

Ongoing

N8 Explore the possibility of opening Kitchen Bank stone store once a year as part of a Heritage Open Day or similar event.

EHT/NT

2016

N9 Explore the possibility of putting a secure and accessible exhibition case in St Mary’s Church.

EHT/NT

2020

N10 Update the guidebook for St Mary’s Church.

EHT/NT

2015

N11 Redisplay decorative stonework, currently stored at Kitchen Bank stone store, in the abbey.

EHT/NT

2015-16

N: Ensure a very enjoyable visit and deliver informal learning opportunities for all through an engaging visitor experience rooted in property stories and the outstanding universal value and wider values of the WHS

N1 Continue to develop visitor activities such as World Heritage Weekend which promote understanding of the WHS, its OUV and other associated values & the wider purposes and functions of UNESCO.

Chapter 5

% Visitor Enjoyment score

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O: Share our knowledge, experience and understanding of the WHS to promote education and learning about both the site and the appreciation and care of heritage

P: Provide volunteering opportunities that encourage active involvement and inspire support for the WHS

O1 Maintain the quality of the learning programme and respond to changes in the curricula and syllabuses of schools and colleges.

Increase in number of school visits

NT/local schools, colleges & universities

2014-16

O2 Develop relationships with local schools, engendering a love of this place in the local community and build on existing partnerships.

School satisfaction rating

NT/Fountains Primary School/Ripon Grammar School/ Harrogate College

2014-20

O3 Develop an offer that has a broad appeal including online resources, self-led activities, outreach activities and led visits.

NT/local schools, colleges & universities/other partners

2015-16

O4 Develop a programme of induction, training, monitoring and support of National Trust education volunteers and monitor feedback by education visitors to ensure that the delivery of workshops is excellent.

NT

2015

O5 Improve the facilities at Swanley Grange Learning Centre, including upgraded toilets.

NT

2016

O6 Work with local partners such as Harrogate and Ripon Education Visits Network to improve the learning programme.

NT/Harrogate and Ripon Education visits network

2015-16

O7 Investigate the development of supplementary education activities on site and a regional programme for delivering learning around green and outdoor heritage.

NT/EHT/HE/NE/ICOMOSUK

2015-2017

O8 Contribute to the Capability Brown Festival in 2016.

NT/GARLAND/Capability Brown Partnership

2016

No of volunteer hours

NT

Ongoing

% of volunteers who would recommend working for the NT

NT/volunteers

Ongoing

P3 Invest in volunteer training, both role specific and general, including the development of a volunteer estate handbook.

NT/volunteers

2016

P4 Continue to develop the confidence and expertise of all staff who manage volunteers.

NT

2015-20

P5 Support the career development of graduates and increase the prospect of their future employment through the National Trust Internship Programme.

NT/Universities & Colleges

Ongoing

P6 Offer regular work experience placements to school and college pupils in the local area and ensure that their experience is meaningful and enjoyable.

NT/local schools

Ongoing

P7 Consult volunteers regularly during the initiation of new projects and plans to involve them in the management of the site.

NT/volunteers

Ongoing

P1 Continue to identify opportunities to develop new volunteer roles that support the needs of the site e.g. in visitor experience, learning, gardening.

P2 Continue to use the National Trust’s annual volunteer survey to evaluate the success of volunteering and address any concerns.

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Theme 4: Local community links and partnerships Objective

Action

Monitoring indicator

Leader (in bold) & key partners

Timescale

Q: Work through strong partnerships with local communities and other local, regional and national stakeholders

Q1 Maintain and strengthen links with the local community through volunteering opportunities and a local newsletter.

Community organisation involvement in WHS

NT/Connecting Ripon/ community organisations

Ongoing

Q2 Explore new ways to engage the local community with the site.

Enhanced world heritage brand in the UK

NT/Connecting Ripon/ community organisations

Ongoing

Q3 Promote the WHS as a place to improve health and wellbeing, for example through community bike rides, Parkrun and outdoor volunteering opportunities.

NT/Nidderdale AONB/ Parkrun/local doctor surgeries & health centres

Ongoing

Q4 Maximise international links and partnerships through Welcome to Yorkshire, and opportunities presented by other Destination Management Organisations, and through sharing management experience with sites in the UK, Europe and further afield.

NT/WH-UK/WTY/Visit Harrogate/other WHSs

Ongoing

Q5 Raise the profile of World Heritage in the UK by working with the newly formed World Heritage-UK and other WHSs.

NT/WH-UK/Visit Britain/ WTY/other WHSs

2016

Q6 Continue to engage with the wide range of partnerships in the local area to deliver objectives in this plan.

NT/all partners

Ongoing

Q7 Continue to engage with tourism groups to further the promotion of the World Heritage Site and enable access to market research.

NT/Ripon Ring/Discover Ripon/WTY/Visit Harrogate

Ongoing

NT/HE/WTY/Saltaire WHS/ LEPs

2016

R2 Engage with the two overlapping Local Enterprise Partnerships and the National Park and AONB strategy which forms part of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Strategic Plan, to explore ways to optimise the positive impact of the WHS on the economy.

NT/LEPs/Nidderdale AONB & National Parks

2015

R3 Continue to provide high quality apprenticeships and internships in building skills such as joinery and masonry, landscaping and horticultural skills and in events and volunteer management.

NT/EHT/HE/LEPs/ Universities & Colleges/

Ongoing

R4 Sustain the number of jobs at the site.

NT

Ongoing

R5 Maintain and increase use of local businesses.

NT/EHT/local businesses, contractors & producers

Ongoing

R6 Maintain, and where possible, increase the contribution the site makes to the local and regional economy through tourism.

NT/WTY/Visit Harrogate/ LEPs

Ongoing

R: Optimise the positive impact of the WHS on the local and regional economy

R1 Explore opportunities to research and evidence the value of the two World Heritage Sites in Yorkshire to optimise their contribution to the local economy and communities.

Chapter 5

Number of apprenticeships & internships

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S: Ensure sustainable access to the WHS by broadening opportunities to travel by bus, bike or on foot.

S1 Work with partners to explore opportunities to expand bus service provision to the estate.

NT/YDPTP/NYCC/bus companies

Ongoing

NT/YDPTP/NYCC/bus companies

2015

S3 Improve cycling facilities at Studley Royal and West Gate admission points and increase storage space at the Visitor Centre to allow the safe storage of helmets and rucksacks.

NT

2015

S4 Explore options for an off-road cycle route between Ripon city centre and the Studley Royal Deer Park.

NT/RCPC/SUSTRANS/ NYCC/HBC

2015-2020

S5 Develop a network of walking routes that link the site with other local places of interest such as Brimham Rocks, Markenfield Hall and historic Ripon.

NT/RCPC/Nidderdale AONB/Nidderdale AONB Parks and Gardens Group

Ongoing

S6 Increase the marketing and promotion of green transport options, including cycling and walking, available to visitors.

NT/Nidderdale AONB/ NYCC/YDPTP/Bus companies

Ongoing

S7 Implement a car share scheme for staff and volunteers.

NT

2017

S2 Monitor current use of the public bus service and develop a programme of measures to promote the current bus service to demonstrate commercial viability.

Abbreviations: AONB

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

EA

Environment Agency

EHT

English Heritage Trust

GARLAND

The Garden & Landscape Heritage Trust

HBC

Harrogate Borough Council

HE

Historic England

ICOMOS-UK

International Council on Monuments & Sites UK

LEP

Local Enterprise Partnership

LNP

Local Nature Partnership

NE

Natural England

NT

National Trust

NYCC

North Yorkshire County Council

RCPC

Ripon City Plan Committee

WHSSG

WHS Steering Group

WH-UK

World Heritage UK, this network has developed from the Local Authority World Heritage Forum

WTY

Welcome to Yorkshire

WYAS

West Yorkshire Archive Service

YDPTP

Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Partnership

YWT

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

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Chapter 5

Increased % of visitors arriving by other means than car

Chapter 6: Implementation and monitoring

Fountains Hall

Monitoring will take place regularly and the WHS Steering Group will meet twice a year to review progress on delivery of the plan.

This may involve analysing quantitative data such as the results of National Trust visitor and volunteer surveys, looking at the Conservation Performance Indicator (CPI) process and assessing financial performance. It will also involve a review of delivery of actions set out in the 6 year action plan. This ongoing process of monitoring will contribute to a full review of the plan in 2020. The active involvement of partners will be essential to both the implementation of the plan and reviewing the effectiveness of its outcomes.

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Maps

Map 1 World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site 0

0.5

Km 1

© Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100023974

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Maps

±

Map 2 Buffer Zone

World Heritage Site Buffer Zone 0

1

±

Km 2

© Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100023974

Maps

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

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Appendices

Appendices

Appendices

Appendix 1

Facts and figures about the World Heritage Site

69

Appendix 2

A short history of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

70

Appendix 3

Planning and policy framework for the World Heritage Site

73

Appendix 4

List of World Heritage Site stakeholders

77

Appendix 5

Outcomes of public consultation

79

Appendix 6 Evaluation of delivery of objectives and actions

in WHS Management Plan 2009-2014

96

Appendix 7

English Heritage and National Trust Conservation Principles

101

Appendix 8

Conservation Action Plan 2015-2021

102

Appendix 9

Geodiversity Audit

127

Appendix 10

Landscape Character Assessments

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Appendix 1: Facts and figures about the World Heritage Site

When did the area become a WHS and how big is it?

In 1986 Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal was designated a World Heritage Site (WHS). Its title on the World Heritage List is ‘Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey World Heritage Site’. The boundaries were largely drawn to reflect the land in National Trust ownership at that time. The WHS is 822 acres (333 hectares).

Administrative areas

The Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal WHS lies in the Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council authority areas. The Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal WHS is also within the boundary of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Rivers

The River Skell flows through the valley from the south-west; feeding the formal ponds, canals and cascades that form the central features of the water garden before exiting in the direction of Ripon.

Farmland

The estate also includes an extensive deer park, which contains a large deer population consisting of three different species; these are Sika, Red and Fallow deer.

There are also three tenanted pastures totalling 90 acres of farmland.

Public rights of way

The Studley Royal Deer Park including Mackershaw and the Seven Bridges Valley is open to the public. Each year we estimate that 150,000 visitors come just to enjoy this free area of the estate and the many walks through it.

Nature conservation

Four areas of the WHS are designated Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). The WHS also lies within the boundary of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Heritage designations

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate is a designated UNESCO WHS. A buffer zone for the WHS was approved by the World Heritage Committee in 2012. The site has one scheduled monument (the abbey ruins); eight Grade I listed buildings; eight Grade II* listed buildings and 38 Grade II listed buildings. In addition to this the estate is listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens as Grade I Special Historic Interest. The village of Studley Roger which lies just outside the WHS is a Conservation Area.

People

There are currently 79 members of permanent full and part time staff employed by the National Trust at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal with an additional 60 members of staff working flexibly during our peak seasons. Almost 400 people volunteer across 28 different teams.

Visitors

On average, over 350,000 people visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate each year (344,113 in 2013) with an estimated 150,000 additional people visiting the deer park. This makes the estate one of the most visited ‘pay-for-entry’ sites of the National Trust and one of the most popular historic sites to visit in Yorkshire. The National Trust segments visitors into seven core ‘user-groups’. This segmentation helps site managers to identify who uses their sites and how they can improve opportunities and increase enjoyment. Detailed segmentation research at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal identified that the site is most prominently visited by ‘Out and About’ (spontaneous and sociable visitors), ‘Explorer Families’ (active, educated and enthusiastic people spending time as a family) and ‘Curious Minds’ (visitors generally over 45 with broad interests).

Appendix 1

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Appendix 2: A short history of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Introduction The Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate has a special and significant history.

This section looks at the history of the lives of the Cistercians at Fountains Abbey, the medieval origins of the Studley Royal estate and the development of the designed landscape under the Aislabies.

It also introduces the families who have owned the Fountains and Studley Royal estates over time, the history of tourism on the site and the land use history of the estate and associated sites.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal — a brief history

abbeys in Britain. Its wealth was largely built on the wool trade and vast donated or purchased land holdings. It was dissolved in 1539 and sold the following year to Sir Richard Gresham, a London merchant, who recouped some of the purchase price by selling the abbey’s building materials. In 1597, Sir Stephen Proctor acquired the Fountains estate and built Fountains Hall (1597-1604), partly with stone from the monastic complex. The Messenger family owned the Fountains estate from 1627 to 1767, when it was purchased by William Aislabie and combined with Studley Royal. Mackershaw was a managed woodland let by the Lord of the Manor at Studley from the 14th century until 1730, when it was purchased

by John Aislabie and incorporated in the Studley Royal designed landscape.

the North’. Built on a magnificent scale from the outset, the design that was contrived by the Aislabies, understood and incorporated every major new garden fashion as it emerged. The resulting gardened landscape revolved around eyecatchers, contrived vistas and carefully designed water features and contrasts, all taking full advantage of the topography of the Skell valley and the presence of the abbey ruins. Studley Royal became an outstanding illustration of the successive landscape fashions of the 18th century, and was a frequent and important stop on cultural tours of the north of England.

Fountains Abbey, founded in 1132 in unpromising circumstances, soon became one of the richest and largest Cistercian

The Studley Royal estate was owned by the Mallory family from 1452 until 1667, when George Aislabie acquired it through marriage to Mary Mallory. The deer park, probably of medieval origins, is first recorded in 1577 and has been progressively extended. Studley Park, which was landscaped with formal avenues in the later 17th century by George Aislabie, retained its original manor house until 1748, when it was largely rebuilt.

The associated landscape garden built by the Aislabies between 1670 and 1781 made Studley Royal nationally famous; it was even referred to as ‘The Wonder of

Ever-growing numbers of visitors inspired many of the changes carried out by subsequent owners. The Marquis of Ripon took over the estate in 1859. In 1870, he commissioned the renowned architect William Burges to design St Mary’s Church (which was built between 1871 and 1878) at the western end of the main vista across the park, aligned with Ripon Minster.

Although subsequent owners did not alter much of the Aislabies’ original design, they slowly withdrew from its extremities whilst the lack of maintenance gradually resulted in some landscape features suffering irreversible decay. However, the abbey ruins were well cared for, especially during the second half of the 19th century, when major excavations and research took place. In 1946, Studley Royal House was destroyed by fire. The historic

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Appendix 2

The present Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate only became a single entity in 1767. In the medieval period, it was comprised of three distinct components: — Fountains Abbey monastic estate, both inside the precinct wall boundary and some adjoining lands — Mackershaw Wood, a fragment of the pre-Conquest estate of the Archbishop of York — the village of Studlei Magna in the present deer park, which became the Studley Royal estate in the 16th century

Studley estate was broken up when sold by its last private owner, Henry Vyner, in 1966. It was then that the High Stables, Wheatbriggs House and the Pheasantries were sold into separate ownership, while the gardens, abbey and parkland were acquired by West Riding County Council.

There was a huge backlog of conservation work to be addressed. The National Trust acquired the estate in 1983 from North Yorkshire County Council (successor to the West Riding County Council). Since then, a programme of restoration and conservation has been under way in the water garden, Fountains Hall, and, in partnership with English Heritage, at the abbey mill (opened to the public in 2001) and to the monastic precinct wall. The abbey ruins have been in the guardianship of the State since 1966 and their consolidation has progressed since that date.

Fountains Abbey from foundation to dissolution Fountains Abbey was founded in 1132 by a group of 13 dissident Benedictine monks who left St Mary’s Abbey in York in search of a more austere religious way of life.

The abbey they founded became known as ‘Sancta Maria de Fontibus’ (Charter of Confirmation by Henry I, 1133) and joined the reformist Cistercian order as a daughter house of Clairvaux in France.

The Cistercian ideals of austerity, simplicity

and solitude fulfilled the aspirations of the founders of Fountains Abbey.

After a near collapse in the early years (before the foundling abbey acquired sufficient resources to support itself), the period 1135-1265 marked the rapid expansion and growing economic influence of Fountains Abbey. Its first simple timber buildings were lost to arson in 1146, but rebuilding in stone was already in hand when the fire was set, one of a series of redesigns in the course of the 12th century necessitated by increasing numbers of monks and lay-brothers. The current extent of the buildings complex was reached by the early 13th century, although modification and replacement of buildings continued throughout the abbey’s life.

Through gifts of land, Fountains Abbey progressively extended its land holdings throughout the north of England, building much of its wealth initially on the wool trade. By 1150, it had founded eight daughter houses (foundations of 12 monks and a prior sent out from Fountains Abbey). There was a progressive economic and spiritual decline in the following centuries, ended by a period of recovery under abbots Greenwell and Huby in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Laybrothers were replaced by tenant farmers and servants, while the monastery was further extended, more richly decorated, more comfortably furnished and the unique Huby’s Tower built.

In 1539, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Fountains Abbey was one of the richest Cistercian foundations in Britain. Henry VIII sequestrated the abbey’s valuables, and then contemplated

schemes for the creation of a new northern diocese, one of which included using the former Fountains Abbey estate as the financial base. The eventual selection of Chester as the new cathedral freed up Fountains Abbey for private sale. In 1540, it was sold to Sir Richard Gresham, a London merchant, who partially demolished it for the sale and reuse of its building materials.

The medieval origins of Studley Royal Settlements in the general area of the medieval village of Studley appear in surveys of the Archbishop of York’s lands (‘Stodlege’, c.1030) and in the Domesday Survey (‘Stollai’ and ‘Estollai’) of 1086. The first reference to the name ‘Studley Royal’ does not appear until 1537.

The village of Studlei Magna, established in the late 12th century or early 13th century, dwindled to just a few tenancies by 1360.

Development on this unpromising site in the north of the present park, far from water supplies, was prompted by the construction of a road linking Ripon to the West Gate of the abbey. The village seems to have had some unusually large houses, one of which was excavated in 1989-1991, while traces of more humble dwellings have been found in the fields of Swanley Grange and in the park. Most of the present deer park was cultivated using ridge and furrow techniques, to improve drainage and soil fertility. The earthworks of this system are still visible extending over approximately 300 acres.

ownership of George Aislabie, following his marriage to Mary Mallory and the death of the last male Mallory.

The origins of the deer park are not well documented. Thomas de Bourne, lord of the manor, obtained hunting rights over rabbits and small mammals (the right of Free Warren) in 1343. The first documentation for a deer park dates from 1577. Red deer are native in this area.

Development and decay of the Aislabies’ designed landscape Studley’s earliest landscaping took place in the deer park, adopting the 17th century fashion for formal avenues. The main avenue and Studley Gate (framing the view of Ripon Cathedral) were probably created in 1670-1675 for George Aislabie. George’s early demise slowed development works, but they were again in mind soon after John Aislabie’s inheritance in 1693. Studley Royal House — the former medieval manor house — was renovated by John Aislabie after a fire in 1716 and then further modified (twice) by his son William in 1748-1752 and 1758-1762. It was modernised again by the Marquis of Ripon in the 1860s.

Fire completely destroyed the mansion in 1946. The extensive stable block (by Roger Morris, advised by Colen Campbell) built in 1728-1732 remains.

The manor house remained occupied long after the village became extinct, particularly by the Mallory family between 1452 and 1667. Studley then came into the

In the 18th century a group of the gentry, nobility and rising moneyed classes experiencing economic prosperity and political power developed and landscaped ‘Pleasure Gardens’ to extend their enjoyment of their great estates and demonstrate their wealth and taste to others. In keeping with this fashion, from

Appendix 2

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

1718 to 1742, John Aislabie developed the ‘Water Garden’ along the River Skell: the canal was created and the valley bottom levelled. Ponds, buildings, statues, formal hedges, new plantations and walks followed, probably in three main phases of development. The formal style of the valley bottom contrasts with the naturalistic treatment of the wooded slopes. The new garden buildings and the abbey ruins are used as eye-catchers and create a complex network of contrived vistas, taking full advantage of the topography of the Skell valley and of the presence of the abbey ruins. How Hill tower was the first eyecatcher, built in 1718.

From 1742 to 1781, William Aislabie extended his father’s work. Following new fashions, he created a sublime landscape and an unusually early Chinese landscape in the Valley of Seven Bridges.

It was a distinctive feature of Studley that William added to the early works rather than remove them as many of his contemporaries did. When he ran out of space to expand at Studley, his solution was to develop gardens on other family properties, at Laver Banks and especially at Hackfall. Chronologically interwoven, and physically linked, the three sites should really be considered to be parts of one and the same designed landscape. In 1767 William succeeded, where his father had failed, in buying the Fountains Abbey estate. He landscaped and consolidated the abbey ruins, which became an integral part of the Pleasure Gardens. He also extended the designed landscape, in a naturalistic style, a further mile upstream of the abbey, to Spa Gill wood.

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The year of William’s death, 1781, marks the effective ‘high water mark’ for the designed landscape’s extent and sophistication. The 18th century landscape was little altered by subsequent owners, who mainly respected and only modestly enhanced the original design by their additions — Surprise View, De Grey Walk and St Mary’s Church.

Meanwhile many features disappeared and the maintained part of the grounds contracted through lack of maintenance, especially in Chinese Wood, Spa Gill, How Hill and in the area behind the Banqueting House. A number of decaying buildings and features from the late 18th century were removed by the first Marquis of Ripon c.1870. The lost features include the bathing house, the Belvedere, the Tent on Tent Hill, the Chinese building, lost vistas and statuary.

The families who owned the estate The Mallory family, medieval owners of Studley for two centuries, rose to local and national significance under Elizabeth I. The family provided Ripon’s first Members of Parliament in the 17th century.

George Aislabie, although of much humbler stock (he was a yeoman farmer’s son), joined gentry circles after inheriting £20,000 from the family of his former employer. He was therefore able to seek the hand of Mary Mallory (her family having been impoverished by the Civil War) and ultimately secured mastery of the Studley Royal estate. He was killed in a duel in 1676, leaving 12 children. John Aislabie, his third son, was MP for Ripon from 1695 until 1721, Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1718-1720, and was expelled from Parliament after the South Sea Bubble scandal.

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John’s son William took the family seat in the Commons in 1721 and remained an MP until his death in 1781. The Aislabie name died out with William, the estate being inherited by his daughter (Elizabeth Allanson) and later a grand-daughter (Elizabeth Sophia Lawrence) before the line was extinguished in 1845.

Studley then passed to Earl de Grey and then to his nephew the first Marquis of Ripon in 1859. The Marquis was one of the elder statesmen of his time, Viceroy of India in 1880-1884, and a freemason of the highest rank. He married his cousin, Henrietta Vyner, from Newby Hall. His son, the second Marquis, was a celebrated shot who developed the Studley Royal pheasant shoot and received Edward VII and George V at Studley on several occasions.

The early owners of the Fountains estate were not well-known public figures, especially the Messenger family. Their Catholic faith, royalist persuasion in the Civil War, and often dubious liquidity encouraged ‘quiet living’ during the 140 years that the Messengers owned the Fountains estate between 1627 and 1767.

The history of tourism at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal The earliest ‘tourists’ at Fountains Abbey were antiquarians, first recorded being drawn to the abbey ruins in the 1660s (although a connection between Fountains Abbey and the Yorkshire version of the Robin Hood legend may have origins with medieval visitors). Studley Royal landscape garden added a further attraction in the 18th century, and the estate soon became

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

an essential feature of the ‘tour of the north’.

Visitor numbers were boosted to unusually high levels in the late 18th century and during the 19th century by the proximity of the growing Spa at Harrogate. Studley Royal was ideally placed to provide an outing for those ‘taking the waters’. The relatively early arrival of the railway in Ripon and Harrogate in 1848 made the estate accessible to the populations of the Yorkshire, Lancashire (and latterly Teesside) manufacturing towns. The earliest known school visit is recorded in 1851, with first reference to the availability of food for visitors on the site of the present Studley Café in 1854.

As early as 1853, a one shilling entrance fee, professional guided tours and estate regulations were in place. At the inauguration of St Mary’s Church in 1878, the estate is said to have welcomed about 30,000 visitors. Few rural attractions can have rivalled such visitor numbers at that time. The first floodlighting of the abbey in 1932 was initiated by the Vyners to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the foundation of the abbey; its popularity eventually leading to the permanent installation of lighting, which permitted evening visiting.

After the National Trust acquired the estate in 1983, a visitor centre was built in 1992 to help reduce the congestion of the historic area, and deal with visitor numbers which had grown to around 300,000 a year.

Appendix 2

Land use history The monks claimed they built Fountains Abbey in a wilderness. In reality the landscape around the Skell valley was probably already well managed in the 11th century. Small settlements (Swanley, Morker, Studley) practised low intensity agriculture, exploiting surrounding woodland and scrub. Gradually the abbey established more intensive agriculture across its home grange farms.

At Studley Royal, the deer park was progressively extended, and land use gradually changed from mixed agricultural to grazed parkland between the 16th and 18th centuries. As the woodland resource became scarcer, the Archbishop of York jealously guarded his woods at Mackershaw. Only in the Skell valley, too rough and wet for agricultural development, did scrub land survive.

The Aislabies incorporated the existing trees in the valley scrub in their designed landscape and planted both new and native species, in particular many yew trees. Mackershaw was annexed as a further deer park in the 1740s, while the Pleasure Garden was extended to the abbey precincts and beyond after 1767.

At the end of the 19th century a pheasant shoot was developed in the grounds and a golf course existed in the deer park from 1891 to 1927. The pheasant shoot continued and the shooting interest was sold into private hands when the Studley Royal estate was broken up in 1966.

Appendix 3: Planning and policy framework for Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site There are a range of policy and management frameworks which apply to the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site.

This section does not attempt to be exhaustive but only captures some of the key strategic policies.

Much of the relevant legislation will apply to specific elements or assets within the site (such as protected species or archaeology), and no attempt is made to record all elements here.

National Policy National planning policy direction is provided by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) http:// planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/ wp-content/themes/planning-guidance/ assets/NPPF.pdf which sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. It is supported by the National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG), a web based resource which brings together current planning policy guidance http:// planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/ blog/guidance/.

The NPPF includes the appropriate conservation of heritage assets as one of its ‘Core Planning Principles’ which underpins the planning system (Paragraph 17 bullet 10). This is expanded upon principally in Section 12 Conserving and enhancing the historic environment (Paragraphs 126-141), but policies giving effect to this objective also appear elsewhere in the NPPF. Paragraphs 132, 137 and 138 in particular make reference to World Heritage Sites, and emphasise that the greater the significance of a designated heritage asset, the greater the weight that should be given to the asset’s conservation. In particular, it notes that the presumption in favour of sustainable development may not apply to designated heritage assets (Paragraph 14 footnote 9).

Appendix 3

Further legislative framework for the historic environment, relevant to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, is provided by: — t he Town and Country Planning Act 1990 — t he Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, which provides specific protection for buildings and areas of special architectural or historic interest — t he Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, which provides specific protection for scheduled monuments Any decisions relating to listed buildings and their setting must address the statutory considerations of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (see in particular sections 16, 66 and 72) as well as satisfying the relevant policies within the National Planning Policy Framework and the relevant Local Plan.

Local Policy The Local Planning Authority for Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is Harrogate Borough Council. At the time of writing (2014), local planning policy is provided by the Harrogate District Local Plan (2001 Selective Alteration 2004 and Direction (Saved Version 2007)) and its associated Policies Map; the Core Strategy

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(2009); and Local Planning Guidance which includes the Heritage Management Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) 2014. The Council’s Sites and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) Submission Draft had to be withdrawn at its Examination in May 2014, and as a result the Council is now preparing a new Local Plan, with the aim that it should be adopted in 2018, replacing the saved Local Plan policies and the Core Strategy. The latest version of the Local Plan can be viewed at http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/ plan/Pages/LDF.aspx.

The National Trust and English Heritage, as site managers, had worked closely with Harrogate Borough Council in the preparation of their draft Sites and Policies Development Plan Document to ensure policies were included which gave the buffer zone, and therefore the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site itself, a level of protection. This same level of work will continue throughout the preparation of the new Local Plan.

In the meantime, the relevant saved policies from the Harrogate Local Plan (2001) are HD7, HD7A, HD3, HD13, C1 and C2, all of which have been saved by the Secretary of State’s Direction under paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 8 to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and are therefore a material consideration in determining planning

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applications. Policy HD7 refers specifically to development within the World Heritage Site.

Policy HD7 — WORLD HERITAGE SITE Development within the World Heritage Site of Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey will only be permitted in very exceptional circumstances where there is no adverse effect on the cultural, natural and manmade interest which led to the site’s designation and either: A. It is required to enhance the interpretation of the site’s cultural, natural and man-made interest for visitors; or B. It is essential for the management of the site or of visitors to the site.

The Council will encourage appropriate conservation and restoration measures.

The setting and views of the site are protected by policies C2 and HD7A of this Plan and will be afforded the strictest protection.

The supporting text in paragraph 6.48 of the Local Plan goes on to recognise that, although being afforded the highest level of protection, certain development may still be required.

(Para 6.48) As such this site and its environs must be afforded the strictest of protection from development which could be harmful to its cultural, natural and man-made interest. The very nature and importance of this site means that

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it is likely to continue to be under considerable pressure from visitors. The site attracts in excess of 400,000 visitors a year. This may from time to time require the provision of facilities to improve the interpretation of the site’s interest or to manage the pressures from visitors within the site. Access for the elderly and disabled must continue together with rights of way through the parkland for the general public. (See Policy R11 of this Plan) Policies HD7A and C2 are also of particular relevance to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal WHS, in providing protection to the Registered Park and Garden and encouraging restoration of the historic landscape.

Policy HD7A — PARKS AND GARDENS OF HISTORIC INTEREST Development will not be permitted where it would adversely affect the character or setting of parks and gardens included in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

Policy C2 — LANDSCAPE CHARACTER Development should protect existing landscape character. In locations where restoration of the landscape is necessary or desirable, opportunities should be taken for the design and landscaping of development proposals to repair or reintroduce landscape features, to the extent that this is justified by the effects of the proposal.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

The Harrogate District Core Strategy 2009 also contains objectives and policies of particular relevance to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. These are objectives 18 and 19, and Policy EQ2, as follows.

Core Strategy Objective 18: To protect and enhance the built and natural environment, including biodiversity and landscape character, giving special protection towards those areas and buildings of recognised importance.

(Relating to Policy EQ2) Core Strategy Objective 19: To encourage exemplar design quality which safeguards the distinctive character of the District’s settlements and minimises impact on the environment, particularly in sensitive areas. (Relating to Policies EQ1, EQ2, SG4) Policy EQ2 aims to protect and enhance the District’s character, biodiversity, landscape and heritage, including the World Heritage Site.

Policy EQ2: THE NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND GREEN BELT The District’s exceptionally high quality natural and built environment will be given a level of protection appropriate to its international, national and local importance. In addition, more detailed protection and where appropriate enhancement measures will be applied through the Development Control Policies DPD, relevant management plans and by working in partnership

Appendix 3

with landowners and interested parties.

Subject to the District’s need to plan for new greenfield development, the landscape character of the whole District will be protected and where appropriate enhanced.

The extent and detailed boundaries of the West Yorkshire and York Green Belts in the District will not be changed.

Where criteria based planning policies cannot provide the necessary protection, local landscape designations will be identified: — to protect the high quality of the landscape which is important to the setting of the towns of Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon; — to protect those ‘green wedges’ in Harrogate town which are an important part of its character and distinctiveness; — to protect appropriate green space within the main built up areas of Group A, B, and C settlements listed in Policy SG2 of this Core Strategy.

Priority measures to protect and enhance the District’s natural and built environment are to: — increase wildlife habitats and species in accordance with the District’s Biodiversity Action Plan; — review and update the Council’s local Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation;

— improve the condition of the District’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest; — carry out appraisals of the District’s Conservation Areas incorporating measures for the protection and enhancement of their special interest; — reduce the number of ‘Buildings at Risk’; and — ensure that new development incorporates high quality locally distinctive design.

In 2014, the Council approved the Heritage Management Guidance as a Supplementary Planning Document. The guidance has been drafted in line with the National Planning Policy Framework and supports Core Strategy Policy EQ2 by providing detailed guidance on how heritage and design guidance policies will be applied in decision making. The guidance includes a number of appendices in the form of a ‘living document’ which means they can be updated as and when necessary. The guidance also sets out the direction for management of the historic environment, explaining the threats and identifying the key priorities for the Council to ensure that the vision and objectives for the District’s historic environment are achieved and maintained in the long term. It contains a number of references to the World Heritage Site, including recognition of the buffer zone.

The key principles below are all taken from the Heritage Management Guidance.

The full guidance is available at http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/plan/Pages/ Heritage-SPD.aspx.

General principles for development that would affect the World Heritage Site including development in its Buffer Zone: a) Development that would cause substantial harm to the significance of the World Heritage Site (its Outstanding Universal Value) will be allowed only in wholly exceptional circumstances; b) Development proposals that are likely to have an impact upon the World Heritage Site or its setting will be permitted only where it can be demonstrated that the scheme will conserve those elements, which contribute towards its Outstanding Universal Value; c) New development within the World Heritage Site or affecting its setting should incorporate the highest standard of landscape and architectural design; d) Key views and vistas will be protected. There will be a strong presumption against tall or very large buildings within the World Heritage Site or its visual setting;

e) Development within the World Heritage Site Buffer Zone that would adversely affect the significance of the World Heritage Site, and particularly affecting key views, will be allowed only in exceptional circumstances; f) Development proposals within the Buffer Zone will be permitted only where it can be demonstrated that the scheme will conserve those elements, which contribute towards the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site.

General principles for development that would affect a Scheduled Ancient Monument: a) Scheduled Ancient Monuments will be conserved and, where appropriate, enhanced; b) Development will not be allowed that would destroy Scheduled Ancient Monuments or their settings; c) When considering applications for development on or affecting the setting of a monument, the overriding consideration will be the effect on the significance of the heritage asset.

General principles for development that would affect a Listed Building: a) The total or substantial demolition of a listed building will be permitted only in exceptional circumstances;

Appendix 3

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

b) Proposals that would cause substantial loss to the significance of a listed building will be permitted only where this harm is outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal; c) Listed Buildings will be conserved and, where appropriate, enhanced.

Loss of any significance should be minimised, and will be permitted only where any harm is justified by the public benefits of the proposal. d) New development affecting a listed building or its setting should incorporate high quality design.

General principles for development that would affect a conservation area: a) Proposals in or affecting the setting of a conservation area should preserve or enhance those elements that make a positive contribution to the special character and appearance of the area; b) Development should be in accordance with the guidance on Managing Change in the relevant Conservation Area Appraisal; c) Demolition or other substantial loss to the significance of a building or feature that contributes positively to the conservation area will be permitted only where this harm is outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal;

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d) Development of public or private open space that contributes positively to the conservation area will be permitted only where this harm is outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal; e) The removal of trees that provide substantial visual amenity will require strong justification.

General principles for development that would affect a Registered Historic Park and Garden: a) Development should not detract from the enjoyment, layout, design, character, appearance or setting of that landscape, cause harm to key views from or towards these landscapes, or where appropriate prejudice their future restoration.

General principles for development in the AONB: a) Within the Nidderdale AONB, priority will be given to the conservation of the natural beauty of the landscape;

Other relevant planning advice is contained within the Harrogate District Landscape Character Assessment Supplementary Planning Guidance (2004). The Landscape Character Areas that apply to this location are Area 30 (Vale Fringe south of River Skell and Skell Corridor) and Area 44 (Aldfield to Studley Vale Fringe Farmland) which includes the World Heritage Site itself.

In November 2014 the Council adopted the Green Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This seeks to enhance the natural and built environment of the District by helping applicants and developers ensure that proposals for development make the most of opportunities to improve existing and create new green infrastructure and will be used as a material consideration when considering planning applications. http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/plan/Pages/ GI-Guide.aspx The Nidderdale AONB Management Plan (2014-19) sets out policies to maintain landscape character, biodiversity and the historic environment within the AONB whilst promoting peoples enjoyment of the area, promoting tourism and improving accessibility.

Relevant policies include:

The Ripon City Plan

—P olicy HE1 — Protect the historic landscape and features of archaeological importance by resisting inappropriate development and supporting owners and managers to improve condition where possible

The Ripon City Plan is currently under preparation and will be a detailed strategy for the future of the parish of Ripon. This is a Neighbourhood Plan and is being prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act of 2011. This allows local communities to produce a plan for their local area, putting in place planning policies for the development and growth of their neighbourhood. Once adopted the Neighbourhood Plan will form part of the Local Development Plan and must be used to determine planning applications.

—P olicy HE2 — Support innovative proposals for sustainable future use of historic buildings and structures where this does not cause unacceptable harm to the asset or the wider landscape —P olicy HE3 — Encourage initiatives designed to increase awareness and understanding of archaeology and the historic environment —P olicy L1 — Promote awareness and understanding of the special qualities of the AONB —P olicy L2 — Maintain and enhance the special qualities of the AONB’s landscape including priority wildlife habitats and restore damaged or degraded features http://www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/ Documents/ManagementPlan2014-2019_ Final.pdf

b) Development proposals will be expected to demonstrate high standards of design, which should reflect local distinctiveness and, where appropriate, mitigation to ensure the continued protection of the special qualities of the AONB.

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Appendix 3

The development of the plan is being led by the Ripon City Plan Committee comprising representatives of the Ripon City Council and a number of other interested organisations and people from across the city.

The National Trust and Historic England have been working with the Ripon City Plan Committee to ensure that the UNESCO approved buffer zone is protected, particularly the main vista from the WHS to Ripon Cathedral and beyond to Blois Hall Farm. A preliminary draft Ripon City Plan went out for consultation in October and November 2014 and includes proposals to define Ripon’s skyline and control development proposals that may affect it. Whilst the detailed wording of policies in the plan is still being developed, and will need to be tested at Examination, the intention is that the policy will support the Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey Buffer Zone and ensure that development in Ripon does not impinge on views from the WHS across Ripon.

Appendix 4: List of World Heritage Site stakeholders

Steering Group Tony Earnshaw

Representatives of English Heritage Trust and Historic England Assistant Director of Operations (National Trust)

Chris Fowler General Manager at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal (National Trust) Sarah Parkinson

WHS Coordinator (National Trust)

Dave Allenby

Head of Planning and Development (Harrogate Borough Council)

Deborah Wall Historic Places Principal Adviser, Yorkshire and the Humber (Historic England) Peter Goodchild

Landscape Conservator (ICOMOS-UK)

Keith Emerick

Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Yorkshire and the Humber

Neil Redfern

Team Leader, Yorkshire and the Humber

Tammy Whitaker

Planning and Conservation Director, Yorkshire and the Humber

Liz Page

Historic Properties Director North

Henry Owen-John

Head of International Advice

Clea Warner

Area Manager, Yorkshire

Mark Douglas

Curator

Ian Fielding Assistant Director Waste and Countryside Services (North Yorkshire County Council)

National Agencies and Organisations

Representatives of NT

World Heritage UK

ICOMOS-UK

Michael Ridsdale

Head of Landscape at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

Natural England

Roy Phillips

Operations Manager at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

Environment Agency

Alexa Morton Visitor Experience & Marketing Manager at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

National Heritage Training Academy

Kate Gardner

Consultancy Manager

Local Authority Representatives

Barbara Hooper

Planning Adviser

Ann Johnson

Conservation and Design Officer, Harrogate Borough Council

Mark Newman

Consultant — Archaeologist

Andrew Siddall

Planning Liaison Officer, Harrogate Borough Council

Stephen Morley

Wildlife & Countryside Adviser

Paul Burgess

Nidderdale AONB

Joanna Royle

Head of Marketing & Supporter Development

Heather Garnett

Chair of the Nidderdale AONB Heritage Steering Group

Ruth Benson

Landscape Officer, North Yorkshire County Council

Gail Falkingham Historic Environment Team Leader, North Yorkshire County Council

Appendix 4

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Interest Groups

Neighbouring landowners

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust

Local residents and landowners

Welcome to Yorkshire

Spiritual and Community Matters

The Ramblers Association

Ripon Cathedral

Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust

Local churches

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Ripon Centre for Voluntary Services

National Trust Volunteer Representatives

Open Country

Guides Coordinator, National Trust

York, North Yorkshire & East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership

Information Assistants Trainer, National Trust

Greater Ripon Improvement Partnership

Research Coordinator, National Trust

Yorkshire Gardens Trust

Visitor Assistant Coordinator, National Trust

Ripon Civic Society

Guides Trainer, National Trust

Harrogate Naturalists Society

Info Assistant Coordinator, National Trust

Nidderdale Historic Parks and Gardens Study Group Ripon City Plan Committee Members

Educational Representation

Ripon City Development Manager

Representative from local schools, colleges & universities

National Trust Harrogate and Dales Association Visit Harrogate

Other WHS Representatives World Heritage Site Coordinator, Durham WHS

Local Community representatives

World Heritage Officer, Saltaire WHS

Cllr. Mick Stanley

The Worshipful Mayor of Ripon

Cllr Jim Clark

The Worshipful Mayor of Harrogate

Cllr Nigel Simms (Deputy Mayor — Harrogate) Chair of Nidderdale AONB Joint Advisory Committee Robin Dennis

Markington Parish Council

Derrick Slater Fountains Abbey (including Aldfield, Lindrick with Studley Royal & Fountains) Parish Council Cllr Margaret Atkinson District Councillor Masham and Fountains — NYCC Cllr Alan Skidmore

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Heritage Champion & Planning & Transport Manager

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Appendix 4

Appendix 5: Outcomes of the public consultation

Introduction This document comprises the engagement strategy that is a key component in the process of reviewing the World Heritage Site Management Plan for Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal during 2014. Its main aim is to ensure that all those involved with the WHS including staff, volunteers, visitors, stakeholders and the local community are consulted about proposed objectives and have an opportunity to comment and feel ownership of the future of their World Heritage Site. This report also includes a summary of the outcomes of the public consultation. These were taken into consideration in producing the management plan.

Consultation and Engagement Two phases of involvement/consultation on the development of the plan were held.

— Phase 1: An informal/open consultation on the issues for the review. Events ran from February to May 2014 ­— Phase 2: Formal consultation on the draft plan, for an 8 week period from December 2014 to January 2015 There were a number of key groups involved in development of the plan.

The WHS Steering Group has overall ownership of the Plan. The members are the National Trust, the English Heritage

Trust, Historic England, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council and ICOMOS-UK. This group met at key stages in the plan process to review consultation responses and approve the consultation draft and final plan.

The World Heritage Site Stakeholder Group has met annually over the last 3 years at World Heritage Stakeholder events organised by the National Trust.

This group includes representatives from key organisations and agencies such as Nidderdale AONB, Environment Agency, Welcome to Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Gardens Trust, local parish councils and Ripon City Council, Harrogate Borough Council and neighbouring landowners.

This group were involved in developing the vision for the WHS and identifying issues for the review at a workshop in September 2013. A further facilitated session with this group was held in November 2014 to launch the consultation on the draft plan.

The National Trust property staff and volunteers are involved on a daily basis in the full range of issues around management and operation of the site.

This group plays a key role in delivery of the plan and it is vital to tap into their knowledge and experience of the site.

A number of manned drop-in sessions where volunteers and staff could pin ideas on maps and answer questions on topics such as visitor experience and conservation were held in March 2014.

Appendix 5

The site has good links with the local community and the surrounding landowners and parish councils. Ripon is right on the doorstep of the site and it was felt that an event in Ripon Town Hall would be a good way to engage the surrounding communities in the early stages of development of the plan. The event was a manned family friendly event on a weekend with displays, maps and questions about the World Heritage Site and also some fun activities for children. The event was held on the 22nd March 2014 and over 100 people attended.

Visitor involvement is also an important element in development of the plan and some fun consultation activities for visitors were held as part of the annual World Heritage Weekend. The weekend usually includes an exhibition about the World Heritage Site and family activities and these were extended to include opportunities to comment on the future management of the site.

Key individuals and partners with a special interest or delivery role in a particular plan issue were involved in reviewing the plan through discussions/ meetings. Many of those partners were already involved in the plan through the Stakeholder Group.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

All groups and individuals with an interest in the site were offered opportunities to participate through a questionnaire on the website and social media.

Opportunities were also taken to discuss issues for the review of the plan through membership and representation on existing committees and forums such as Local Business Forums, Local Tourism Networks and the AONB Joint Advisory Committee.

A summary of the content and timetable for this first phase of consultation is set out on the page opposite.

The staff/volunteer, community and visitor events all followed a similar format. There was a large plan of the World Heritage Site and another plan of the WHS and surrounding area mounted on polystyrene on a table in the centre of the room. Participants were able to stick flags in the map to mark ideas for projects or particular issues such as areas that flood. There were a series of posters around the room which set out some of the key issues for the management plan such as conservation, climate change, environmental performance, visitor experience, sustainable management, protecting the site and setting.

Accompanying these facts and figures posters were some key questions which asked for views on how the plan should address these issues.

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Key topics include:

Who?

When?

Where?

How?

What?

WHS Steering Group

Winter 2013/14

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

All formal meetings

Approve engagement strategy; timetable; objectives

— conservation — nature conservation, parks and gardens, historic buildings and landscape, promotion of heritage skills

Review consultation outcomes

— climate change

Agree consultation draft plan

— water management and flooding

Review consultation responses & agree final plan

— environmental performance

7th May 2014 3rd June 2014 February 2015

WHS Stakeholder Group

26th Sept 2013

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

Annual meetings

Property staff & volunteers

5th & 6th March 2014

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

Drop in sessions

Displays/provision for written comments

Community

22nd March 2014

Ripon Town Hall

Drop in session plus family activities

Displays/provision for written comments

Visitors

Annual WHS Weekend May Bank Holiday 2014

FASR Swanley Grange/ Fountains Hall

Drop in sessions plus family activities

Displays/provision for written comments

Specialists & key partner agencies/ organisations

March & April 2014

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

Discussion/ Meetings

Meetings with key partners to develop actions around key topics.

All groups

March 2014

Short questionnaire on website March 2014, newsletters, social media

Newsletters, social media & website

Opportunities provided to comment for all groups re social media, Wiki etc.

20th Nov 2014

Facilitated sessions to consider the draft plan before publication

— protecting the WHS, buffer zone & setting and boundary review — visitor experience — learning — volunteering

Some basic data on numbers of people responding, age, where they live, whether they are frequent visitors to the site was collected. The events were all run on an informal drop-in basis. The World Heritage Site Coordinator and other property staff were at all the events to answer questions

and help people participate. Members of the Steering Group also attended some of the events. The staff/volunteer event and visitor events were held on the site and the community event in Ripon Town Hall. This event was kindly supported by the Ripon Mayor and Ripon City Plan Group.

In addition to these events there were discussions/meetings to engage those involved in delivery of objectives and projects in the plan. These have been used to inform the content of the 6 Year Action Plan, a key element of the World Heritage Site Management Plan.

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Appendix 5

— green transport and access The first phase of consultation informed the content of the draft plan. There was then a second more formal phase of consultation on the draft plan from December 2014 to January 2015 where all groups and individuals had the opportunity to comment on the content of the draft plan through an online questionnaire and on-site comment forms.

Sep-15

Aug-15

Jul-15

Jun-15

May-15

Apr-15

Mar-15

Feb-15

Jan-15

Dec-14

Nov-14

Oct-14

Sep-14

Aug-14

Jul-14

Jun-14

May-14

Apr-14

Mar-14

Feb-14

Jan-14

Dec-13

Nov-13

Oct-13

Sep-13

Review of current Plan WHS Stakeholder event 26 September Action plan of current plan reviewed Engagement strategy produced WHS Steering Group agree enagagement strategy: 22 January

Consultation Discussions on key management issues with partners Engagement with property staff & volunteers: 5 & 6 March Community engagement event at Ripon Town Hall: 22 March Visitor engagement at World Heritage Weekend: 3, 4 & 5 May Online and paper questionnaire launched WHS Steering Group to review Draft Consultation Report

Drafting the Plan Draft the chapters of the plan WHS Steering Group review objectives chapter of draft plan

Consultation on the draft Plan WHS Steering Group meet to sign off draft plan for consultation Stakeholder meeting to consider actions of draft plan: 20 Nov Draft plan published for consultation: 8 weeks Nov to Jan Summary of draft plan produced WHS Steering Group review consultation responses March

Amending and finalising the Plan Amend the Plan following consultation Submit Plan to DCMS for endorsement and send to UNESCO Printing and launch of Plan

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Results of the first phase of consultation September 2013 to November 2014 A summary of the results of the consultation are listed under topic headings and these have informed the draft management plan. Not all the topics were covered at all the consultation events, for example the visitor event focussed on the visitor experience. Where possible, we have indicated how the comment has been reflected in the draft plan.

Conservation Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Link natural and cultural landscape.

Nature conservation and geological assets should be emphasised more.

Stakeholder Group

Section 1.3 Other Values, Objective J & actions under J

Explore external funding opportunities for conservation

Stakeholder Group

Objective C & actions C5 & C6

Expand the role of the WHS in promoting and sharing experience

Stakeholder Group

Objective O & action O7

Stop the Shoot in the abbey area

Staff/volunteer & community

Shooting rights outside NT ownership

Reduce strimming/short grass around abbey

Staff/volunteer

Comment picked up as part of presentation of site

Record & conserve monastic paintwork

Staff/volunteer

Action J5

Conserve Quebec area of the garden

Staff/volunteer

Action J1

More wildflowers — snowdrops magnificent

Community

Objective J, protect existing species & habitats

More information about the conservation work on site

Community

Objective J & Action J3

Improve access to Galand Bridge

Staff/volunteer

Access to this area is restricted by the Shooting Rights

Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Water management and flooding a serious issue upstream & downstream which needs serious consideration.

Consider interventions upstream, flood storage barriers etc

Stakeholder Group

Objective L, Action L1

Water Management

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Appendix 5

Involve Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust as key partner

Stakeholder Group

Objective L, Action L9

Open dialogue with upstream landowners re: flood plain, woodland planting initiatives

Staff/volunteer

Objective L, Action L1

Fill in grips on moorland that were dredged in the 1960s

Staff/volunteer

Objective L, Action L1

Work with landowners in upper catchment area, blocking drainage on upland/moorland area

Staff/volunteer

Objective L, Action L1

More small dams to control flood water & use water management as education topic

Community

Objective L, Action L1

Reduce impact of flooding on features on the site

Staff/volunteer

Objective L & actions

Consider a silt trap upstream that can be emptied/dredged on a regular basis

Staff/volunteer

Objective L, Action L1

Dredge Half Moon Reservoir

Staff/volunteer

Action L2

Repair lake outfall cascade

Staff/volunteer

Action L5

Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Improve energy efficiency of buildings

Community & Staff/volunteer

Action K2

Ensure all staff recycle & improve their environmental behaviour i.e. turning off lights/computers

Staff/volunteer

Action K3 & K7

Recycle food waste

Staff/volunteer

Action K6

Explore opportunities for renewable energy & reducing energy usage

Visitors

Objective K & actions

Environmental Performance

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Tell people more about the environmental ethos on site through social media and information on the site

Staff/volunteer

Action K7

Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Improve arrival experience at the Visitor Centre

Stakeholder

Action C2

Various improvements suggested to Visitor Centre including create a dedicated function suite, provide outside covered area, move the offices out of the Visitor Centre and put shop back to its original location in the Visitor Centre.

Make the Visitor Centre more of a hub for the estate.

Staff/volunteer

Action C2

Continue to make more links with local producers & work in partnership with them to provide more information/ interpretation about their work

Community & Staff/volunteer

Objective R & Action R5

Improve admission and retail space at the Studley entrance, considering reconfiguration of current building use (possibly converting toilet block building)

Staff/volunteer

Action C2

Enhance catering facilities at Studley with the provision of a new kiosk

Staff/volunteer

Action C2

Investigate feasibility of moving West Gate admission point to opposite West Gate car park

Staff/volunteer

Focus for this plan to look at Studley & Visitor Centre admission points

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Finance and Resources

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Community and Volunteering Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Have a Ripon day or community day with free entry or reduced cost entry as cost is a barrier to some local families

Community & staff/volunteer

Objective M & Action M8 plus provision of Ripon Resident passes

Provide discount for Ripon residents

Community

Objective M & Action M8 plus provision of Ripon Resident passes

Give more talks to local community about what we do & how we operate

Staff/volunteer

Objective Q, Action Q1 & Q2

Invite specific local groups from the community for tour of the estate like WI & Mothers & Toddlers

Staff/volunteer

Objective Q Action Q1 & Q2

Have community groups to work in garden or have a plot of land that community groups look after

Staff/volunteer

Action Q2

Make more links with local disability groups

Staff/volunteer

Actions M1 & M2

Improve trails connecting the estate to the local area

Stakeholder

Action S5

Improve exit message, signpost drivers to Ripon & highlight places to go in Ripon after closing

Stakeholder

Action R5 & R6. Look at action for final draft

Broaden volunteering offer — volunteers to support general work of caretakers plus introduce visitor experience team who help bring history to life

Staff/volunteer

Objective P & Action P1

Work with volunteers to create new offers for visitors

Staff/volunteer

Action P7

Create a weekend gardening team

Community & staff/volunteer

Look at as part of delivery of Action P1

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Encourage more crossover between the different volunteer teams

Staff/volunteer

Look at as part of delivery of Action P1

Involve teenagers more with volunteering on the site.

Community

Action P1

Provide more working holidays

Community

Currently our emphasis on more regular volunteering & corporate volunteering which has greater take up

Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Improve play area for young children

Community, Visitors & Staff/volunteer

Objective N — consider more specific action around play

Do more for toddlers & small children

Visitors & Staff/volunteer

Objective N — consider more specific action around play

Use Swanley Grange as a family picnic area

Staff/volunteer

Objective N — consider more specific action around play

More play around the estate — tree houses in Quebec, play in the deer park

Visitors & Staff/volunteer

Objective N — consider more specific action around play

More recreational facilities such as boats on lake & ‘Go Ape’ style area

Staff/volunteer

Objective N — consider more specific action around play.

More events like Park Run & keep Park Run going

Visitors & Community

Action Q3

More paths for use by cyclists

Community

Current plan priority to look at cycle links with Ripon. Any use of path by cyclists needs to not impact on walking visitors.

Various use suggested for Fountains Hall — make the Hall come alive, use as exhibition space, use for storytelling, drama, dinners etc. Look at presentation & interpretation of Hall. Hold open days in the Hall and access to more rooms in the Hall. Furnish the Hall.

Community & Staff/volunteer

Action N1

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Visitor Experience

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Provide arts exhibition area in Visitor Centre

Visitor & Staff/volunteer

Action N1

Use Piety for art & explore other art opportunities

Staff/volunteer

Action N1

Use Swanley Grange for more workshops

Staff/volunteer

Action N1

Hold more concerts, events & plays on the estate

Community

Currently hold a programme of events & plays on site

Look at more use of apps & other technology to interpret the ‘spirit of place’ i.e. augmented reality/smart phones etc

Stakeholder

Objective N

Buy Studley Stables for interpretation

Stakeholder

Other priorities for spend over plan period i.e. conservation and interpretation within buildings already in NT ownership

Use Visitor Centre as interpretive space for experience ahead

Community & Stakeholder

Action N1

Provide more costumed re-enactors

Staff/volunteer, Community & Visitors

Action N1

Link the story of the site to places in York & Ripon

Staff/volunteer

Action N1 to N2

Provide artefacts for people to handle in Porters Lodge

Visitor

Consider as part of Action N2. There are already objects in Porters Lodge for handling.

Provide fun activities for adults too

Visitor

Actions N1 & N2

More nature interpretation — nature groups, trails in deer park, bird ringing, Tabernacles as bird hide

Staff/volunteer & Visitor

Consider as part of N1 & N2

Recreate the past with sound — sound in the abbey

Community & staff/volunteer

Action N2

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Make more use of the mill area — workshops & activities, make artisan bread, brew ale etc. More interpretation of industrial archaeology

Community

Action N1 & N3

Provide an information point as visitors leave Admissions

Staff/volunteer

Action N1 — consider as part of Visitor Centre proposals

Improve signage, currently poor.

Suggestions made for signs.

Staff/volunteer

Action D1

Replace toilet block at Studley with visitor information point plus holiday cottage display in Fountains Hall

Staff/volunteer

Action N1 — considered as part of study to look at Visitor Centre & Studley entrances

Provide more walks leaflets

Stakeholder

Action S5

Look at monastic routes & Ripon to Fountains Walk

Stakeholder

Action S5

Provide more interpretation (boards, guides, tours) — Fountains Hall, garden buildings, ice houses, lost buildings of Studley House & Bathing House, Seven Bridges, deer park, Mackershaw.

Community, Visitors & Staff/volunteer

Interpretation considered under Objective N.

Interpretation & displays at Swanley Grange — introduce abbey story

Staff/volunteer

Action N1

Open up more garden buildings with more information guides. Look at dedicated ‘experience’ team

Staff/volunteer

Action N2 — consider as part of water garden interpretation approach

Rebuild abbey boundary wall between abbey and Tent Hill with info board or picture of what it would have looked like

Staff/volunteer

This would have to be considered as part of conservation approach & interpretation in the abbey.

Improve welcome leaflet

Visitor

Objective N

Provide visitor toilets at abbey tea room

Visitors & Staff/volunteer

Action D1

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Provide more litter bins & dog bins (locations specified)

Community & Staff/volunteer

Action D1

Provide more seating

Community & Visitors

Action D1

Learning (specific question only asked at Stakeholder Meeting & Staff/Volunteer Sessions) Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Learning & intellectual interpretation to be included in vision

Stakeholder

Learning is covered under the ‘understanding’ bullet point of Vision

Educational offering should include WHS & its role and should include options beyond schools

Stakeholder

Objective O & Action O7

Sponsor post-graduate degrees

Stakeholder

Objective O & actions. Don’t have a specific action on this

Shortage of lifelong learning in Ripon — raise awareness of what we do on site & look at links with other organisations

Stakeholder

Objective O & actions

More living history experiences for schools

Staff/volunteer

Objective O

Explain symbolism of statues in garden

Staff/volunteer

Objective O & Action I3

Improve dairy buildings & use as additional space to Swanley

Staff/volunteer

Proposals to use dairy buildings for workshops

Teach more about economics of abbey life

Staff/volunteer

Look at as part of Objective O

Provide access to mill leat orchard

Staff/volunteer

This was done Autumn 2014

Improve facilities at Swanley Grange

Staff/volunteer

Action O5

Attract higher level education more frequently

Staff/volunteer

Objective O

Develop learning offer to match curriculum

Staff/volunteer

Action O1

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Broaden primary school offer to include outdoors/nature

Staff/volunteer

Action O1 — look at how outdoors/nature relates to curricula

Create marketing plan for schools offer

Staff/volunteer

Objective O

Maintain, improve & monitor quality of school workshops

Staff/volunteer

Action O4

Improve learning resources for schools

Staff/volunteer

Objective O

More workplace placements

Staff/volunteer

Actions P5 & P6

Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Improve access up/down the slope between the Visitor Centre & the abbey/ water garden — for wheelchairs, less able visitors & pushchairs

Visitors, community & Staff/volunteer

Action M3

Provide lift access to rear of Fountains Hall reached by path from Visitor Centre

Staff/volunteer

Action M3

More pro-active welcome for disabled visitors i.e. early opening for autistic children, coffee mornings for disabled groups

Staff/volunteer

Action M1

Mobility tours at set times of the day

Staff/volunteer

Action M1

Better wheelchair access to West Lodge toilets

Community & staff/volunteer

Action M3

Make footpaths easier to negotiate for less able visitors

Community

Action M3

Provide accessible transport like golf carts

Community

Look at as part of options for access

Provide wheelchair access in deer park/ Studley entrance

Visitors

Look at as part of options for access

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Access

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Publicise minibus more

Visitors

Consider as part of site management

Provide disabled parking at mill leat so disabled visitors don’t have to cross the road

Staff/volunteer

Consider as part of Objective M

Improve surface at West Gate car park and the road crossing into the estate

Staff/volunteer

Action M3

No parking at St Mary’s Church/deer park

Visitor & staff/volunteer

Management on site

Provide access leaflet for site

Staff/volunteer

Action M6

Hire out segways

Community

Not currently under consideration

Look at links between Banqueting House & Visitor Centre

Visitor

Not possible under Shoot/NT Agreement

Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Explore the idea of a Green Travel Plan for the estate

Stakeholder

Objective S

Look at a NT-run bus service from Ripon to Fountains & on to Brimham

Staff/volunteer

Action S1

Dales bus reduced to 3 days a week, explore options to get people to and from the site

Staff/volunteer

Action S1

Reduction in bus service also impacting on staff & volunteers getting to site to work. Current bus times good for visitors but not staff and volunteer duty times

Staff/volunteer

Action S1 & S7

Ensure any bus service connects with 36 bus

Staff/volunteer

Action S1

Improve bus service to Fountains & advertise

Community

Action S1 & S2

Green Transport

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Align bus times with visiting times

Community

Action S1

Arrange a bus from Harrogate for Saturday park run, lots of people travel individually in cars

Visitor

Action S1

Link Fountains better with Harrogate

Visitor

Action S1

Improve cycle routes — look at link to Ripley route and include interpretation

Stakeholder

Action S4

Develop a cycle route from Ripon — routes suggested

Stakeholder, community & staff/volunteer

Action S4

Upgrade public footpath to bridleway to allow cycle access to Spa Gill, allow more safe cycle routes

Staff/volunteer

Priority for this plan period to look at links to Ripon.

Provide secure cycle racks at Studley and West Gate entrances & lockable area for rucksacks

Staff/volunteer

Action S3

Explore cycle route through Seven Bridges & make gate more cycle friendly

Visitor & staff/volunteer

Consider this issue, balance of pedestrian & cycle use.

Provide cycle routes to abbey & water gardens

Visitor

Current policy no cycling through estate due to conflict with other visitors.

Provide cycle route in deer park

Visitor

Already cycle route ‘Way of the Roses’.

Encourage more car sharing

Staff/volunteer

Action S7

Install electric vehicle charging points in car park

Visitor

Not current action, but under consideration

Better promote walking routes from Ripon to Fountains & Studley

Community & Staff/volunteer

Action S5

Allow horse access through the estate — provide a horse/bike accessible path through the estate & link to surrounding bridlepaths

Community & Staff/volunteer

Issue of how we balance use of deer park for horses,cyclists & pedestrians. Action to monitor current uses within deer park Action B3.

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Research (comments either received from stakeholders or our staff/volunteers) Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Sponsor post-graduate degrees

Look into as part of delivery of Objective O

Publish Mark Newman’s book about the estate

Action I5

Explore Kitchen Bank archaeology

Action I2

Produce summaries of all research for staff, volunteers & visitors

Action I6

Look at areas outside the estate such as Spa Gill & Spa House, Laver Banks, Bishopton etc and links to the wider monastic use & heritage

Research project for future plan.

More research into Chinese Garden & Studley House

Action I2, considered as part of research framework

More research into social history & stories about people of the estate. Think about more research into below stairs.

Action I2, considered as part of research framework

Tell the stories of Fountains Hall

Objective N

Raising awareness of our WHS status Comments

Who

WHSMP Response

Work towards bringing the whole estate & incorporation of abbey into water garden as one concept

Staff/volunteer

Objective N

Ensure school parties go away from visits inspired & informed

Community

Objective O

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Put more emphasis on the industrial/ commercial history of Fountains & Studley i.e. wool production & links to other sites/Europe

Community

Put world heritage logo on road signs & include signage with WHS logo on road from Ripon

Staff/volunteer

No current plans to change signage to site.

Create a coherent national publicity programme for world heritage & link more with other WHSs

Staff/volunteer

Action Q5

Hold events with a festival vibe plus lectures, dinners, workshops

Staff/volunteer

Objective N

Provide better on-site information about the World Heritage Site

Staff/volunteer

Objective N — consider action on World Heritage information

Publicise guides/site lectures about the World Heritage Site more

Staff/volunteer

Objective N — consider action on World Heritage information

Engage local families more

Staff/volunteer

Objective P

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Objective N, Action N3

Outcomes of Phase 2 Consultation This was the more formal stage of the consultation process when we asked for comments on the draft plan. The draft plan was made available online and in local libraries for eight weeks for public comments. A summary of the draft plan was also circulated to all our key stakeholders at a workshop in September 2014 and available at admission points, restaurant and tea rooms on the site.

A short questionnaire was provided with the plan.

Most of our key partners responded including Historic England, Natural England, Nidderdale AONB, Harrogate Borough Council and Ripon City Plan Committee. We also received responses from local interest groups such as the Yorkshire Gardens Trust and the Ripon Civic Society. A number of interested individuals also sent in comments.

The following is a brief summary of the main comments: — The World Heritage Site is not visible enough in the plan, the outstanding universal value (OUV) and attributes of OUV should be at the heart of the plan and inform everything in it.

— As the WHS is inscribed for its cultural values these should take precedence in the event of any conflict of interest and a statement to this effect should be included in the plan.

— There should be a clearer commitment to promoting understanding of the WHS and the purposes of the Convention and UNESCO. — Learning offered to practitioners, academics and students as well as visitors on historic landscapes and their management needs greater attention.

— Include a section on disaster planning and risk management.

— Any future economic development should be sustainable.

— Give more reference in the plan to landscape character and the Landscape Character Assessments covering the WHS, buffer zone and the wider setting of the WHS. These will be a useful tool for mapping landscape setting and garden assets.

— Management of the access policy to protect landscape character whilst retaining the spirit of place should be a key consideration in the plan.

— The priority given to the historic environment and the 18th century landscape aesthetic may sometimes occur at the expense of wildlife.

— Support for introduction of new public bus services. The National Trust should work with partners around Ripon in addressing travel options for visitors.

— Suggestion that biodiversity could be given more weight in day to day management of the site. The status of nature conservation could be enhanced with its own objective and nature conservation plan.

— The water garden should be more of a destination. There is a significant opportunity to develop visitor facilities at the lakeside recognising the international status of the water garden. There should be commitment to feasibility and delivery studies of this development for implementation in the next plan period.

— Better representation of nature conservation interests on the stakeholder group and establishment of a natural heritage stakeholder partnership.

— The recognised nature conservation designations on the site do not adequately reflect the biodiversity importance of the site.

— More consultation needed on projects which may impact on the Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and better integration of nature conservation into the management of the site.

— Conservation works undertaken on the WHS acknowledged as being of high quality and the programme of conservation works set out in the plan should continue as a priority.

— Draft Ripon City Plan proposing to include policies to protect the city skyline and special landscape areas which support the objectives of the buffer zone.

Appendix 5

— Continue commitment to seek to acquire shooting rights. Need new agreement so conservation works can continue in ‘shoot’ areas and it should include further public access through current shoot areas.

— Partnerships with landowners and statutory bodies is critical to management of upstream water environment and should be advocating financial support from regional and national funding sources to all parties involved.

— Active interpretation of the water garden is needed and enabling visitors to understand the importance of starting their tour in the 18th century water garden is an important step.

The water garden should be displayed along other gardens of this stature and Studley Royal Hall needs to be interpreted better.

— Consider access within the site itself, a mode of on-site transport is needed.

— Fountains Hall should play a more pivotal role for visitors.

— Could the historic water management system be better understood and mapped.

— There needs to be greater appreciation of the people behind the abbey, mill, estate, Fountains Hall, Studley Hall and the water gardens. This needs to be reflected in the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value.

— Could include facilities for promotion and understanding of historic water environments, benefits for wider Ripon area from what could be an international facility could be substantial.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

— Recognition of importance of archive and development of an archaeological research framework is supported.

Improved accessibility to collections is needed, such as the collections held at the Helmsley Stone Store.

— Importance of attracting visitors and promoting health and wellbeing should also be balanced with providing opportunities for peace and contemplation.

— Raise awareness of the mill for visitors through better presentation and signage.

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Appendix 6: Evaluation of delivery of objectives and actions in WHS Management Plan 2009-2014 Introduction This report provides a brief summary of the delivery of actions from the 6 Year Action Plan which forms a key element of the World Heritage Site Management Plan 2009-2014. It highlights areas where work is ongoing or an action has not been delivered.

Theme 1: Management Policy, Financing the Future and Investing in People Long Term Objectives:

E Ensure the boundaries of the WHS include the area that gives the site its universal significance, establish a buffer zone to protect the WHS overall and protect the landscape setting.

F Develop awareness of the WHS status amongst key partners, the local community and visitors.

G Examine the impact of climate change on all objectives and adopt a strategy for accommodation and adaptation.

A Ensure holistic and sustainable management to achieve the vision for the area.

H Minimise the impact of the pheasant shoot on access and on the historic and natural environment and woodland management.

B Retain the distinctiveness, sense of historical continuity and peaceful beauty of the site.

I Develop a research programme to improve the understanding of the site and to inform its management.

C Ensure adequate and sustainable financial and human resources to achieve the vision for the site.

D Achieve the appropriate standards of maintenance of the whole estate, including the infrastructure, through long term planning and allocation of adequate resources.

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6 Year Action Plan Achievements: — The World Heritage Site Management Plan was launched in 2010 and a WHS Co-ordinator appointed to monitor delivery of the Plan. A regular programme of stakeholder events and publications has been delivered.

— The membership of the World Heritage Site Steering Group has been extended

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to include Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council and ICOMOS (UK).

—T he National Trust has a project management framework in place and developments include Heritage Impact Assessments and/or Environmental Impact Assessments, examples include the Lake Project and the Visitor Centre Ground Source Heat Pump Project.

—T he Strategy for Sustainable Development for the WHS has been implemented and is generating funds for conservation projects. The milestone of £500K net income per annum set in the Plan was exceeded in 2010.

—T he commercial projects set out in the plan have been implemented.

These include:

— conversion of How Hill farm buildings to holiday cottages

— development of a plant sales area which sells locally grown hardy perennials in peat free compost

— development of the range of locally sourced foods available on site

— enhancements to the Visitor Centre include improved admissions point, a customer information hut and improved welcome signage

Appendix 6

— There are around 400 regular volunteers on the estate and 27 different volunteer teams. New teams set up over the Plan period include the Stone Cleaning Team, Archaeology Monitoring Team and Family Activities Team.

— Since 2011 there has been a successful internship programme on the estate.

— Group volunteering takes place on site both with local groups such as Mental Health Ripon and corporate groups who contribute financially to the estate for the chance to work on landscape projects.

—E xternal funding including grants and legacies make a significant contribution to conservation of the estate. A large grant for repairs to Fountains Hall roof was received from the Wolfson Foundation and Higher Level Stewardship funding has been received for environmental management and capital conservation projects in the deer parks.

— Policies were included in the Draft Harrogate Borough Council Sites and Policies Development Plan Document to protect the WHS (this plan has been withdrawn), the buffer zone and the wider setting of the site. The buffer zone was approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2012.

— World Heritage Site status is strongly communicated in marketing communications, press releases, websites and adverts. The logo is used on publicity material, Visitor Centre signage and estate vehicles. There is a programme of annual World Heritage Weekends, World Heritage tours and world heritage is an element of the volunteer guide training.

— The estate continues to maintain a positive relationship with the Shoot and are currently agreeing a management plan for the garden. Priorities include the opening up of 18th century views and management of wooded areas on the garden valley sides.

6 Year Action Plan Not Achieved/ Ongoing — Work has begun to scope out a Climate Change Strategy for the WHS and we hope to develop this with partners through the WHS Management Plan process. Links are also being explored with work English Heritage is carrying out on flood risk as part of the National Heritage Protection Plan.

— There is currently no formal research strategy for the WHS. Most research on the estate is commissioned to meet a management need or for a specific conservation project. The Quebec Historical and Archaeological Survey was carried out to inform future conservation works. The recent Bathing House archaeological dig aimed to solve local drainage issues as well as to find the lost building. The volunteer research group have researched and gathered

information about the history of the estate.

— The property archive still needs to be developed and made public, although work has been done on cataloguing our furniture, statuary and paintings and making them available on the NT online collections database.

Key Performance Indicators — The number of volunteers has increased from 330 in 2008 to around 400 volunteers present day and volunteer hours have increased from 20,764 in 2008 to 28,938 in 2012.

— Over 300 volunteers come from the local area, mainly from Ripon, Harrogate, Leeds and their surrounding villages.

— The Annual Volunteer Survey 2012 showed that 96% of volunteers that responded agree or strongly agree with the statement ‘I would recommend working with the National Trust’.

— There has been an increase in awareness of our WHS status from 65% in 2011 to 85% in 2012. There is still confusion over the reasons for inscription with 55% identifying the Abbey as the element justifying the WHS status and 45% thinking it is all the elements of the site including the water garden, St Mary’s church, Fountains Hall and the abbey.

Theme 2: Conservation Policy and Environmental Performance Conservation Policy Long Term Objectives: K Ensure the long term conservation and appropriate standards of maintenance of the garden and designed landscape.

L Complete the first time consolidation of the monastic remains and continue their conservation and maintenance.

M Ensure the long term conservation of the many features of the historic environment.

N Ensure the long term conservation, and optimise the opportunities for enhancement, of the natural features of the site and improve standards of monitoring.

P Develop with partners, long-term solutions to recurrent problems affecting the water features that arise from the catchment area.

6 Year Action Plan Achievements: — The Conservation Management Plan (CMP) has been produced and sets out a vision, objectives and programme of works for the 11 character areas on the estate. Work is in progress to share the plan with stakeholders, local communities and visitors.

—A programme of repairs has been carried out on the Abbey by English Heritage

Appendix 6

including repairs to the Infirmary tunnels, Huby’s Tower walkway, Guest House river walls, new windows at Cellarers Chequer and repairs to the mill wheel at Fountains Mill.

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— Most of the conservation projects on the indicative project list have been completed, most significantly:

— desilting Studley Lake and the removal of the island

— restoration of 18th century garden features such as the recent bosquet project at Rustic Bridge, repointing of the Serpentine Tunnel and Middle Walk Bridge restoration

— repairing buildings including repairs to the Banqueting House stonework and consolidation of Mackershaw Lodges. Conservation of the ice houses is in progress.

— There is an ongoing programme of repair to the monastic precinct wall and the deer park wall and an annual programme of maintenance and repair for buildings, trees, fencing and footpaths.

— The estate has had apprentices in both the landscape and building teams and holds heritage skills training days with local colleges and universities, most recently at the ice houses. The site is used as a learning base for the Princes Foundation and the National Heritage Training Academy.

— A geodiversity audit of the designed landscape has been prepared in partnership with Natural England which explores the role of underlying

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geology in the development of the garden and recommendations for future management. A Soil Survey was carried out as part of the CMP. — Entry to the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme has provided opportunities to improve management of the deer parks including removal of invasive species, management of deer numbers, care of veteran trees and deadwood and better grassland management.

— The Ripon Multi-Objective Project (MOP) was in place at the start of the Plan period and grant aided land management works upstream of the site aimed at reducing run-off from land up river of the property. This project has now ended. Research has been carried out on the provenance and management of silt on the site.

6 Year Action Plan Not Achieved/ Ongoing · Although a historical and archaeological survey was carried out in 2011 the restoration of Quebec has still to be delivered. Landscape restoration of this area will not take place until the flooding in this area of the garden can be managed.

Hydrological modelling is being carried out to develop options for reducing the impact of flood water on the garden.

— Other projects not delivered include:

— consolidation of the bypass tunnel in Seven Bridges

— restoration and reuse of How Hill Tower

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— restoration of High Seat (works planned 2015)

— provision of an electrical supply to the water gardens.

Environmental Performance Long Term Objectives: O Improve environmental practices incorporating environmental compliance, reduced energy use, water conservation measures and sustainable resource use.

—T he full consolidation of the abbey has not been delivered. However, the Asset Management Plan for the abbey is currently being reviewed.

—T he impact of the Shoot management including the impact of pheasants and associated infrastructure continues to have a negative impact on nature conservation and access to the wider 18th century landscape.

—T he end of the Ripon Multi-Objective Project has slowed partnership working to find a solution to the recurrent problems affecting the water features.

It’s a priority to find another means of taking this catchment-wide management forward.

6 Year Action Plan Achievements: —A n environmental review of the estate has been completed for energy use and work is in progress on waste and water.

—A wide range of environmental performance projects have been delivered. These projects include:

— draught proofing and automatic doors installed at the Visitor Centre

— In 2011 the How Hill Holiday Cottage project contributed towards the estate winning an Akrill Media Group Green Business Award and a Ripon Civic Society Award for ‘Best Sustainability Project’.

6 Year Action Plan Not Achieved/ Ongoing — The estate priorities going forward are to continue the work with Nidderdale AONB to look at potential hydro power projects and to implement energy efficiency improvements to the let estate.

Key Performance Indicators

— c ompletion of the ground source heat pump at the Visitor Centre which will provide heating at the Visitor Centre and hot water, reducing our reliance on LPG

— Performance indicators show the environmental initiatives are having a positive impact with a 7.5% reduction in energy usage in 2011/12 against the 2009 baseline.

— The conservation performance on site continues to steadily increase from a baseline of 58% in 2010 to 65% in 2013, as measured through the National Trust Conservation Performance Indicator. The increase is due to delivery of conservation projects, improved management through HLS in the deer parks and better protection of the setting through the buffer zone.

— water efficiency measures in the newly refurbished Visitor Centre toilets such as waterless urinals and low water usage taps. A programme of replacing water mains to reduce potential for water leakage has now been established.

— Water usage on the estate has been reduced from annual consumption of 13,325m³ in 2010 to 11,505m³ in 2012/13.

— secondary glazing and insulation installed in estate buildings including holiday cottages and tenant housing

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Appendix 6

Key performance Indicators

Theme 3—Access, Enjoyment and Understanding Long Term Objectives: Q Implement a comprehensive and sustainable access policy for all incorporating intellectual access and learning, physical access, social, economic and cultural access opportunities.

R Promote enjoyment, understanding and engagement to deepen the relationship with supporters and develop a dialogue with them to share information and estate stories.

S Develop the learning experience for all through engagement with current and potential new audiences.

T Inspire support and encourage active involvement through volunteering, financial contribution and repeat visiting.

6 Year Action Plan Achievements: — The interpretation in Porter’s Lodge was developed in partnership with RNIB. Hearing loops are available at the Visitor Centre, the mill and for guided tours.

The NT has produced an Access Audit of the site.

— New signage has been placed in the Visitor Centre during the plan period as part of the ‘Welcome Project’ and a customer information hut is now sited at the entrance to provide information for visitors.

—R egular visitor segmentation work by the National Trust is enabling a greater understanding of visitors and ensures that interpretation, events and marketing meets their needs. A natural play area and bird hide were developed in 2013 aimed at family visitors. Events range from tours and ‘live’ archaeological digs to a varied family activity programme including den building and pond dipping.

—T he National Trust website was redesigned in 2012 and the estate uses social media such as Facebook and Twitter to publicise events and work on site. The website also includes regular updates and blogs on conservation projects such as the Bathing House dig.

—A round 12,000 students visit the site a year. Formal learning activities include the ‘Day in the Life of a Monk’ and a range of curriculum related activities for KS1,2, 3 and 4 which include self-led and guided activities, workshops and theatre.

There are also free, downloadable resources on the website. One of the most popular projects has been the partnership with North Country Theatre to provide an interactive theatre workshop where children learn about the history of the site.

—A range of informal education activities have been developed for adults and children including guided tours and specialist tours, craft activities and workshops.

—P orter’s Lodge now houses an interpretation centre with a permanent exhibition about the history of the

Appendix 6

working abbey. In 2011, interactive displays were put in with funding from WREN landfill and advice from the RNIB. —A medicinal herb garden with interpretation is now open at Fountains Hall.

—A range of World Heritage Site trails have been developed as part of the annual World Heritage Weekend including a ‘Lost Places’ trail and a follies trail. The garden buildings are open to visitors and include moveable easels with information panels about each garden building.

—A n updated guidebook and children’s guide to the site have been published.

—A ll conservation projects include an element of interpretation which may include site panels, live digs, re-enactors and archaeologists talking to visitors.

6 Year Action Plan Not Achieved/ Ongoing —A n Access for All Audit was carried out but wasn’t developed into a formal access strategy. A range of initiatives have been taken forward to improve access such as an increase in the number of free Personal Mobility Vehicles, better surfacing on valley paths, free minibus service linking entrance points, automatic doors in the Visitor Centre shop and restaurant and ramped entrances at the mill, St Mary’s and the abbey. The route from the Visitor Centre to the abbey is a problem for wheelchair users and less able visitors due to the steep gradient and options

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

are being developed for resolving this issue. Options for wheelchair access to Fountains Hall will be explored when considering the future use of the building.

— Work is in progress with ICOMOS (UK) to develop an education programme focussed on the garden heritage and conservation management of the WHS to complement the existing formal and informal learning activities.

— The interpretation in the mill and Fountains Hall has not been refreshed and ideas for more permanent interpretation/use of the garden buildings will be explored through the work the National Trust is developing with the ‘Spirit of Place’ project.

—T he Archaeological and Historical Survey of Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal is currently with the National Trust Specialist Publications team.

Key Performance Indicators — The Action Plan target of a 1% increase in visitors per year with a target of 325k visitors by 2013 has been exceeded with visitors to the pay for entry area reaching 336,326 for 2012/13 and an additional estimated 150,000 visitors to the deer park.

— The estate has achieved an average score of 73% of visitors rating their visit as very enjoyable over the last 3 years.

— There has been a drop in educational visits from 13,858 in 2009 to 11,137 in 2012.

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Theme 4: Local Community Links and Partnerships Long Term Objectives: U Strengthen links with local, and other communities of interest, respecting feelings of ownership of the site and people’s love of the site.

V Continue to develop contacts and partnerships with the local authorities, statutory bodies and other key organisations, individuals and adjoining landowners.

W Building understanding of the impact of the WHS on the local/ regional economy and optimise that impact.

X Encourage access to the site by means other than the motor car and promote the use of sustainable transport, such as bus, bike or walking to the site.

6 Year Action Plan Achievements: — A range of stakeholder events and newsletters have been held/produced over the last 3 years. World Heritage Weekend has developed into an annual event with activities aimed at the local community and free entry to the estate.

the Blue Sky Initiative’ which follows monastic routes to link Fountains Abbey to Brimham Rocks. A downloadable walking route linking Fountains with Markenfield is now available. The site also engages with local sites through membership of the Nidderdale AONB Heritage Steering Group.

—T he World Heritage Site is reflected in a range of local plans and strategies including the Harrogate Borough Council Local Plan and the Nidderdale AONB Management Plan.

—T he estate is represented on a number of local tourism groups such as Discover Ripon, Visit Harrogate and Ripon Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Ripon Ring (a group representing large visitor attractions near Ripon). The estate worked closely with Ripon on the Jubilee Celebrations in 2012 and engaged with Harrogate Borough Council and local schools for the Olympic Torch journey through Fountains.

—R egionally, the site worked closely with Welcome to Yorkshire on a pocket guide to the Yorkshire World Heritage Sites.

The site is consistently rated one of the top visitor attractions in Yorkshire on Trip Advisor and in 2012 won the Best Large Visitor Attraction in Yorkshire at the White Rose Awards.

—T he site has close links with local producers through its food offer. A local food map in the Restaurant shows where the food has come from.

—T he site is part of a network of northern World Heritage Sites which share good practice and are currently developing a leaflet promoting world heritage in the North of England.

—A range of cycling initiatives have been developed over the last 6 years including the Way of the Roses cycle route which links Morecambe with Bridlington with a route down the deer park avenue to Ripon. Cycle facilities are available at entrance points and visitors are encouraged to visit the site by bike.

Evening community bike rides through the estate take place in the summer.

—T here is currently a bus service to the site from Ripon three days a week.

The bus service has been reduced over the plan period.

—T he National Trust ’Great British Walk’ campaign has become a regular annual event. ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4’ encourages play and activities in the outdoors. The estate has acted as a venue for Harrogate Borough Council’s ‘Fit 4 Fun’ project, providing free access for young mothers who want to ‘stroll and tone’ with an instructor.

— There has been ongoing dialogue with a range of linked local sites. Key projects delivered during the plan period include the Aislabie Walk linking Hackfall and Studley Royal and a walk delivered with young people as part of the ‘Under

—T here are leaflets about the estate in a range of languages and audio guides in English, French and German. Guided tours are also available in Dutch, Italian, German, French and Russian.

6 Year Action Plan Not Achieved/ Ongoing

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— I n 2014, the local bus route linking the site to Ripon was reduced to 3 days a week.

— The site has no formal engagement strategy but work is in progress to develop a strategy for engaging communities and visitors in the review of the management plan.

— A Visitor Travel Audit complemented by a recent survey of visitors travel choices and options was carried out for the site as part of a Masters Dissertation. This is now being developed into a Green Travel Plan for the site.

Appendix 7: English Heritage and National Trust Conservation Principles National Trust triple bottom line approach

National Trust conservation principles

The National Trust has adopted a threefold approach to evaluating its activities as part of its strategy. The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) ensures that projects and activities deliver benefits not only of a financial nature, but also enhancing conservation and environmental values as well as delivering on a human level to a variety of stakeholders, be that in terms of education, access or wider social improvements.

The following conservation principles have been designed to guide the work of the National Trust, foster exemplar standards and ensure consistency in the pursuit of common goals throughout the organisation. There is no hierarchy of importance. A more detailed explanation of each conservation principle is available on www.nationaltrust.org.uk

‘When we take decisions in the Trust, we should do so knowing their effect on people, money and the environment.

We describe these three elements together as the triple bottom line. To help with our local decision-making, we use a triple bottom line tool to assess proposals. The aim is to make well-informed decisions that optimise the three areas of the triple bottom line. It is not necessary to achieve equal outcomes across the three areas.

For example, a car park will always primarily be about visitor access and money, and the restoration of a peat bog about nature. The question the triple bottom line tool asks is how the car park affects the environment and how the peat bog can be funded and accessible.’

We will ensure that all decisions are informed by an appropriate level of understanding of the significance and ‘spirit of place’ of each of our properties, and why we and others value them.

Excerpt from National Trust Guidance

Principle 1: Significance

Principle 2: Integration We will take an integrated approach to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, reconciling the full spectrum of interests involved.

Principle 4: Access and Engagement We will conserve natural and cultural heritage to enable sustainable access for the benefit of society, gaining the support of the widest range of people by promoting understanding, enjoyment and participation in our work.

Principle 5: Skills and Partnership We will develop our skills and experience in partnership with others to promote and improve the conservation of natural and cultural heritage now and for the future.

Principle 6: Accountability We will be transparent and accountable by recording our decisions and sharing knowledge to enable the best conservation decisions to be taken both today and by future generations.

English Heritage conservation principles

We will anticipate and work with change that affects our conservation interests, embracing, accommodating or adapting where appropriate, and mitigating, preventing or opposing where there is a potential adverse impact.

English Heritage recognises that the historic environment should be sustained for present and future generations. Listed below are the principles contained in the English Heritage ‘Conservation Principles, Policy and Guidance’ the aim of which is to ‘provide a logical approach to making decisions and offering guidance on a consistent basis about any and all aspects

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Principle 3: Change

of the historic environment, and for balancing its protection with the economic and social needs and aspirations of the communities who live in it’.

Principle 1 The historic environment is a shared resource.

Principle 2 Everyone should be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment.

Principle 3 Understanding the significance of places is vital.

Principle 4 Significant places should be managed to sustain their values.

Principle 5 Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent.

Principle 6 Documenting and learning from decisions is essential.

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Appendix 8: Conservation Action Plan 2015-2021

Contents Introduction 103 Programme of Conservation Works 2015-2021

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Character Area A — Visitor Centre and Access Road

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Character Area B — Swanley Grange

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Character Area C — Fountains Hall

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Character Area D — Abbey Precinct

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Character Area E — The Water Garden

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Character Area F — Studley Lake

115

Character Area G — Studley Royal Deer Park

117

Character Area H — Seven Bridges Valley

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Character Area I — Gillet Hill

122

Character Area J — Mackershaw Deer Park

123

Character Area K — How Hill

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Map 1 — Boundaries & Character Areas

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Appendix 8

Introduction Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is a very special place, inscribed as a World Heritage Site for its stunning 18th century landscape and water garden, integrating the ruins of Fountains Abbey.

The National Trust, in partnership with the English Heritage Trust and Historic England, is responsible for managing and conserving the site for future generations to enjoy. This Conservation Action Plan sets out our programme of works to conserve the parks and gardens over the next 6 years. Historical views will be revealed, the 18th century garden will be interpreted and currently inaccessible areas of the garden such as Quebec and Tent Hill will be restored and reinstated as part of the visitor journey. At the same time we will be focussing on the essential maintenance of the core elements of the garden such as the ancient and veteran trees, abbey and garden buildings and designed water features.

In addition to our 6 year work programme, we’ve also included some of our future ambitions for the garden beyond 2021.

Some of these will be challenging to deliver, such as the creation of a direct route from the Visitor Centre to the water garden and the restoration of areas currently off the visitor route such as How Hill and Kitchen Bank.

and its buildings and structures and our assessment of the significances of the estate.

The timescales for delivery of the conservation works will vary as they are dependent on the resources available.

The projects will be mostly implemented by the National Trust with the involvement of the English Heritage Trust, Historic England and other relevant partners, interest groups and the local community.

Many of the proposed projects will need planning consent, listed building consent or scheduled monument consent.

Works do not include conservation and maintenance of the abbey which are the responsibility of the English Heritage Trust and managed through the English Heritage Trust Asset Management Plan.

Programme of Conservation Works 2015-2021 The following is the programme of conservation works. For each Character Area we have set out:

Character Area A — Visitor Centre and Access Road Summary of the Condition and History The Visitor Centre, built in 1992, and associated access roads dominate this Character Area. The building is designed around a courtyard, perhaps to reflect an ecclesiastical cloister, although its function as a temporary resting place, a pause in a journey, is shown by its fractured northwest and south-east corners through which a view of Huby’s Tower is afforded.

This is, of course, the true destination for the visitor.

The building was extremely well received when it was opened and it is still considered to be an exceptional and influential building. One only has to travel the country’s motorways, visiting attractions and heritage sites, to see its influence on the design of buildings that offer comfort and refreshment, whilst not necessarily being the final destination in their own right.

— a programme of works

At the time of its design and construction, emphasis was placed by planners on the need for the building, access road and parking areas to have as little impact on the historical setting and visual environment as possible. In short, the visitor facilities were required to be unobtrusive, with the result that the Visitor Centre, a handsome and interesting building, is for the most part concealed within screen belt plantings of uncertain character.

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World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

— a summary of the current condition and history — the vision for the area

The site is a complex one and to make it easier to understand we have split it into 11 character areas and these are shown on Map 1 — Boundaries and Character Areas. The works have been identified through analysis of the history and current condition of the landscape

The concern to minimise the impact of the visitor amenities also influenced the Centre’s siting and, whilst it is reasonably close to the abbey ruins, it is some way removed from the water garden, at least in terms of currently used tracks and footpaths. Geographically it is not so far removed. This issue was raised at the time of the Visitor Centre’s development. Although the reasons for its location are well understood, the impact of its location on the visitor access to, and circulation through, the water garden, remains a problem.

Vision for the Visitor Centre and Access Road The vision for the Visitor Centre is two-fold.

Firstly, the aim is to create a more dynamic introduction to the World Heritage Site by presenting the Visitor Centre, in itself, as a significant building, framed in a mature and well-managed woodland setting, approached by a drive so rich in interest and variety that it prompts a keen anticipation about what is to come and, on arrival, offers the visitor a clear and inviting welcome.

Secondly, the aim is to ensure that the Visitor Centre fulfils its role as the hub of the World Heritage Site, offering an informed introduction to all the principal attractions of Fountains Hall, Fountains Abbey, the water garden and the deer parks of Studley Royal and Mackershaw.

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6 Year Priorities for Visitor Centre and Access Road

Action

Project name

Description

VC1

Maintain Visitor Centre

Continue to maintain and present the Visitor Centre as a significant, award-winning, example of a late 20th century public building by a highly-regarded architect.

VC2

Improve Visitor Centre car park

Improve the design and layout of the existing Visitor Centre car park to increase the number of parking places, improve the surfacing and improve the signage — all providing a better welcome and approach to the Visitor Centre for visitors.

VC3

Manage screen planting

Continue to improve the management of the screen planting along the approach road and around the Visitor Centre. Thin all woodland belts favouring native tree species.

VC4

Identify and manage key views along approach road to St Mary's Church spire, the Obelisk & Huby's Tower

Identify and manage key views as envisaged in Ted Cullinan’s design from along the approach road, the car parks and Visitor Centre. These will include views to St Mary’s Church spire, the Obelisk at St Mary’s Church and Huby’s Tower.

VC5

Maximise view of Huby’s Tower

Maximise the impact of the view of Huby’s Tower, framed by the Visitor Centre’s entrance portal and fragmented south east corner.

VC6

Improve footpath from Visitor Centre to St Mary’s Church

Improve the quality of the footpath setting along Church Walk from the Visitor Centre to St Mary’s Church.

VC7

Erect new signs at estate entrance

Erect new signs at the main entrance to the estate.

VC8

Explore options to provide better links between the Visitor Centre and the entrance to the water garden

An important part of understanding the water garden is to provide ways for visitors to enter the garden from the north through Canal Gates. This was the entrance to the garden in the 18th century. Options for linking the Visitor Centre with the water garden, either by green transport or walking, will be explored through the Visitor Experience Project.

VC9

Extend the range of interpretation in the courtyard and Visitor Centre.

Extend the range and variety of interpretation available both in the courtyard and the Visitor Centre.

This will include the significance of the Visitor Centre itself and reinforce links to the water garden, deer park, Fountains Abbey and Fountains Hall. Celebrate and communicate the very special nature of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the significance of our World Heritage Site — Studley Royal Park, including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey.

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Long Term Plans — Develop a pedestrian link between the Visitor Centre and the water garden and beyond with linked signage and interpretation.

— Establish a green transport hub providing access to the water garden and other locations on the estate.

— Catalogue and create an accessible archive of all the documents and plans which informed the development of the Visitor Centre.

Character Area B — Swanley Grange Summary of Condition and History This area overlooks the abbey and is rich in agricultural history. The current screen planting and field boundaries are on the footprint of early field boundaries reflecting farming activities dating possibly from Saxon times. Today the area plays a key role in linking the visitor centre with the abbey, Fountains Hall and water garden.

The existing grass in the area is uniformly green which suggests restricted biodiversity and a utilitarian approach to managing amenity grassland. The paths from the Visitor Centre and down the field lack the presence of the principal visitor routes serving the abbey, Fountains Hall and water garden. They are also steep and not very accessible. The Swanley Grange estate buildings (the Learning Centre) could be better presented with wider opportunities for learning and interpretation. They are divorced from the grassland by a fence and gate, encouraging most people to walk past, heading straight for the abbey.

Appendix 8

Vision for Swanley Grange The vision is to reinstate the historic and agricultural character of Swanley Grange and to create a legible environment which is varied and attractive. It will suggest long-established patterns of management over the seasons, rich in detail and ecologically diverse.

Within this setting is the working heart of the estate — supporting its maintenance, providing practical conservation masterclasses in traditional craft skills, a hub for exploring the tools, techniques and materials of estate management and learning about the archaeology, ecology and the history of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. Swanley Grange estate buildings, therefore, should not appear cut-off from the wider area.

Swanley Grange as a whole should be a place of modest beauty, with comfortable paths leading through traditional hay meadows, leaving the modern world behind in the Visitor Centre and entering (in the imagination, if nothing more) the world of medieval land management, with glimpses of Fountains Abbey, Fountains Hall and Kitchen Bank. The visitor should be able to understand the fact that, from the 13th century, if not before, this was the home grange of the abbey.

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6 Year Priorities for Swanley Grange Action

Project name

Description

SG1

Conserve agricultural/pastoral character of the fields south of the Visitor Centre

Reinstate/conserve the agricultural/pastoral character of the fields and meadows to the south and south west of the Visitor Centre. Encourage a varied sward and diverse flora.

SG2

Improve accessibility of paths from Visitor Centre to the abbey and Fountains Hall

Improve the quality and accessibility of the physical paths from Visitor Centre through Swanley Grange, to the abbey and Fountains Hall.

SG3

Enhance views of the abbey from Visitor Centre and Swanley Grange

Maintain and enhance glimpses and views of the abbey from the Visitor Centre and Swanley Grange wherever possible.

SG4

Restore field boundaries south east of Visitor Centre

Restore and conserve field boundaries, ecological interest and character of the fields to the south east of the Visitor Centre.

SG5

Conserve historic hedges

Conserve the historic hedges in the Swanley area.

SG6

Conserve farmhouse and farm buildings

Continue to conserve and maintain the farmhouse and farm buildings sympathetically, with appropriate materials and techniques.

SG7

Open up entrance to Swanley Grange Learning Centre

Open up and make more inviting the entrance to the Swanley Grange Learning Centre.

SG8

Maintain, develop and promote a range of activities at Swanley Grange Learning Centre

Maintain, develop and promote the range of activities presented at the Swanley Grange Learning Centre.

As part of wider interpretation/education programme develop restoration and interpretation policies to reflect the long history of Swanley Grange including its medieval role and management. Options for future visitor use of Swanley Grange will be developed as part of the Visitor Experience Project.

Long Term Plans — Establish modern estate management facilities and storage in fields near the Visitor Centre.

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Appendix 8

Character Area C — Fountains Hall Summary of Condition and History The principal attractions of the Fountains Hall Character Area are the historic monastic entrance to the abbey and, of course, the Hall itself. In any other location in the country the Hall would be considered and presented as a major architectural attraction. On a site so rich with treasure, however, it is easy for the visitor to overlook this particular jewel.

In fact, today, the principal route from the Visitor Centre to the abbey ruins does, indeed, avoid the Hall. Visitors who do approach the Hall are sometimes uncertain as to whether or not it is open, and some of those who have entered the building have expressed disappointment with the quality of the interior’s presentation.

Furthermore, it is unlikely that many recognise or explore the fact that the Hall was built centuries after the West Gate provided entry to the Cistercian abbey, and only developed there because the Dissolution had so comprehensively transformed the role and setting of the abbey.

Probably enlarged from an earlier building, the present Hall dates from the end of the 16th / start of the 17th century, and is a fine example of late Elizabethan / early Jacobean architecture, reflecting the impact of Robert Smythson and, in its charming, relatively small scale, closer to Barlborough (Derbyshire, attributed to Smythson) than Wollaton or Hardwick, which boast more symmetry and grander scale and setting. Both of the latter are positioned on high land, commanding all-round views of parkland and gardens, a manifestation of their owners’ power and ambitions. Fountains Hall, on the other hand, is squeezed into the space between the steep north face of the valley and monastic route to the abbey from the west. Although this location provides handsome views over Kitchen Bank — and, of course, took advantage of the ambience, and even the materials, of the abbey — the gardens to the north and west are characterised by narrow terraces on steep land, some of which — framed by the dark lines of yews — were probably modified and enhanced in the early part of the 20th century (photographs dating from the end of the 19th century show the Hall against a much more open and light setting).

Vision for Fountains Hall and surrounding area The focus of the vision is to recognise and present Fountains Hall as an architectural jewel, its setting being the principal approach to one of the most important medieval Cistercian abbeys in the country, and its final polish being applied and refined over many generations.

Key to this is recognising the distinct periods and functions which meet at the Hall: the West Gate; the Hall itself, with its agglomerative elevations and interiors; and the gardens and landscape setting.

The religious, social and cultural history of those who lived and worked in this area for centuries is reflected here, in layers of change and modification.

Thus, this is a place where the Trust’s high standard of conservation and visitor engagement practice should be applied: to the Hall as if it were a stand-alone property, built within a setting replete with the patterns of much older purpose.

Refurbished and upgraded in the first decades of the 20th century, this is an outstanding example of a house built for Elizabethan gentry, almost within the shadow of a medieval abbey, and regularly adapted, over the subsequent centuries, as a family home.

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6 Year Priorities for Fountains Hall Action

Project name

Description

FH1

Conserve Fountains Hall and surrounding buildings

Continue to conserve and protect Fountains Hall and the surrounding buildings including Deer Cottage, West Lodge, the Ticket Office, the Summerhouse in Kitchen Garden, Fountains Cottage and Abbey Cottage and Store. Carry out a Quinquennial Survey of Fountains Hall and review and deliver the programme of works set out in the 2011 Condition Survey for the surrounding buildings.

FH2

Options appraisal for future use of Fountains Hall

Develop the interior presentation and transform the interpretation offered in Fountains Hall and increase the areas open to the public including the Chapel Room. Develop as part of the Visitor Experience Project to look at future options for the Hall.

FH3

Research, restore and interpret gardens around Fountains Hall

Continue the programme of researching, restoring and interpreting the gardens and orchards surrounding Fountains Hall.

FH4

Increase access to the Kitchen Gardens, including Herb Garden and summerhouse

Increase access to the Kitchen Gardens, including the new Herb Garden. Seek to increase visitor access, including access over the bridges, to the orchard and the mill. Provide seating in the summerhouse.

FH5

Improve pedestrian safety at road crossing between West Gate car park and West Gate

Work with the Highways Agency to improve pedestrian safety at the road crossing between West Gate car park and West Gate.

FH6

Resurface West Gate car park

Resurface West Gate car park to improve wheelchair access.

FH7

Improve condition of area near West Gate

Improve the condition of the area near West Gate including Rookery Wood. Reduce the visual impact of sewage works, the car park and screen belt woodland.

FH8

Conserve and interpret the history of West Gate and monastic route

Conserve and interpret the long history of West Gate and the monastic route.

FH9

Protect and interpret archaeology

Protect and interpret archaeology e.g. precinct wall and the old dairy in Rookery Wood.

FH10

Restore the 17th century Mallory family portrait

Carry out restoration works to the 17th century painting of the Mallorie family which previously hung in Studley Hall and is now in storage and look at options for public display.

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Appendix 8

Long Term Plans — Identify and protect the exchange of views between Fountains Hall and Kitchen Bank.

— Thin the beech plantation at Rookery Wood and replant as oak and hazel woodland.

Character Area D — Abbey Precinct Summary of Condition and History This large character area is dominated by the substantial, evocative and beautiful remains of the Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary (1132-1539), which were so successfully incorporated into the Studley Royal Water Garden by William Aislabie, from 1767. Quite understandably and rightly, the abbey, now a scheduled monument, has become an iconic image of Yorkshire and receives huge numbers of visitors. Unfortunately, the abbey rather overshadows its neighbour — the groundbreaking Studley Royal Water Garden — and it appears that the vast majority of visitors to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site do not venture beyond the abbey, into the gardens.

This means that they do not understand or enjoy Fountains Abbey in its role as a highpoint in the experience of the 18th century landscape as a whole, coming to the finale first and often not experiencing the rest of the play.

Great care has been taken to consolidate, conserve and reveal the fabric of the ruins, but the associated removal of rubble and vegetation, and the creation of a smooth, green sward in the immediate vicinity of the buildings, has resulted in the loss of much of the romantic and mysterious atmosphere, so frequently depicted in 18th and early 19th century views.

Also lost is some of the visual and emotional connection of the abbey to its working landscape: the Abbey Mill (c.1140); and Kitchen Bank, on the southern slope of the valley, with its archaeological remains of monastic agriculture, industry and fishponds and the imposing precinct wall.

Today, the main access route, from the Visitor Centre, is rather utilitarian and awkward, as the narrow path cuts straight down Swanley Bank. Also open to improvement are access to Kitchen Bank (currently only via a bridleway along its southern edge); views to the abbey, from the east and south; and the provision of points at which the visitor can linger and contemplate the history and atmosphere of this special place. Perhaps the biggest loss, however, is the sense that the abbey was, in the 18th century, a grand culmination to the design of the remarkable water garden, despite the fact that, from that time, the view of the abbey from the east has become one of the most significant, iconic, views of this part of Yorkshire.

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Vision for the Abbey Precinct The vision is two-fold.

Caring for the whole of this area, including all the estate buildings and landscape setting, should be coherent, with each element being given the same attention to the detail of its care as the abbey ruins themselves (including all available estate buildings, the mill leat, Kitchen Bank etc) and the wider amenity grassland being managed to create a less utilitarian character (whilst accepting that accessible circulation is one of the key requirements here). Visitors can then be encouraged to explore more aspects of the site, hence reducing the intensity of footfall in some places, with a consequent benefit to the monument and to the quality of the visitor’s experience.

World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 — 2021

Secondly, having improved conservation of the whole of the abbey’s setting and enlarging the opportunities for physical access, the aim must be to match that with inspirational interpretation, aimed at all levels of age and interest, hence intellectually and emotionally engaging the visitor at a more profound level than is always available today. Thus, the history of the ruins and the wider monastic landscape must be tied to patterns of medieval use, estate management, belief, social and cultural milieu; more should be then be made of the cataclysmic shift in religious, social, political and cultural mores which followed the Dissolution; vital, too, is the story of the role of the abbey in one of the country’s greatest gardens; and its subsequent history, as national (indeed, international) archaeological monument and icon, should not be overlooked.

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6 Year Priorities for Abbey Precinct Action

Project name

Description

AP1

Work with the English Heritage Trust to maintain the fabric of the abbey

Continue to work in partnership with the English Heritage Trust to monitor and maintain the fabric of the abbey according to the Guardianship Agreement.

AP2

Repair dams and walls of River Skell

Continue to undertake a programme of repairs to the dams and walls of the River Skell, to maintain its character as a working river, supporting the mill and abbey, and, further downstream, as a formal feature of the water garden. Priorities include: — repairs to the lower weir and river walls at East Green — repairs to the upper weir just to the east of the abbey — r emoval of the silt between the upper and middle weirs to maintain flow and the Abbey Green pools

AP3

Restore 18th century romantic qualities of the abbey

Following innovative and comprehensive archaeological research, by careful planting, natural plant colonisation, reinstatement of decorative abbey stone work and management of the immediate and wider landscape setting, seek to recapture something of the romantic atmosphere which was so prevalent in the second half of the 18th century, when the abbey was incorporated fully into William Aislabie’s garden design as a mysterious and aweinspiring ruin in a garden setting.

AP4

Establish varied programme of grassland management around the abbey ruins

Outwith the abbey ruins, establish a varied programme of grassland management, promoting a herb-rich sward and, by considered patterns of mowing, directing footfall to disperse visitors to minimise/manage compaction, erosion and damage to archaeology.

AP5

Expand range of interpretation about the abbey

Enlarge the range and type of interpretation about the site, making available its many-layered, nuanced and internationally significant history.

AP6

Increase conservation and interpretation of the mill area, hillside north of abbey and Kitchen Bank

Increase conservation and interpretation of, as well as visitor access to: — the mill area and other estate buildings — the quarried hillside to the north of Abbey Walk (including Echo Cliffs) — links with Kitchen Bank including the medieval fishponds, precinct wall and veteran trees This makes it possible to more effectively to explore the building of the abbey over several centuries, placing the abbey in the setting of the working monastic landscape and making available important views from key locations.

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AP7

Review floodlighting infrastructure

Review the current floodlighting infrastructure by either screening existing lights/removing from mature trees or considering smaller more discrete lights. The presence of bats and archaeology will influence intensity and location.

AP8

Conserve monastic fish ponds

Conserve monastic fishponds on Kitchen Bank and in Robin Hood’s Wood.

AP9

Review manure run-off with neighbouring dairy farmer

In consultation with the neighbouring dairy farmer review ways of reducing manure run-off into Robin Hood’s Wood, Kitchen Bank and the Skell.

AP10

Develop veteran tree plans for remaining yews of Seven Sisters

Develop veteran tree management plans for remaining 2 yews of the Seven Sisters.

AP11

Manage trees and shrubs in the area

Manage the trees and shrubs in this area, including young trees and ancient veterans, to secure their long-term health, to promote diversity, and to ensure that the trees and shrubs contribute to the visitors’ experience of the site by enriching understanding of the history and symbolism of the abbey precinct; revealing, obscuring and framing views and subtly managing visitor circulation patterns.

AP12

Maintain views of Huby’s Tower from the Visitor Centre and approach path, and from Kitchen Bank

Where possible, maintain the open views of Huby’s Tower from the Visitor Centre and approach path, and from Kitchen Bank. Maintain viewing points to abbey on the east-west path along the top of the valley at Swanley Bank.

AP13

Continue precinct wall repairs in Robin Hood’s Wood and west end of Kitchen Bank

Complete the programme of repairs on the precinct wall in Robin Hood’s Wood and small sections at the west end of Kitchen Bank.

AP14

Accommodate large numbers of visitors to abbey ruins whilst conserving monument

Continue to be able to accommodate the large numbers of people visiting the abbey ruins — wherever possible, dispersing patterns of footfall, thus improving conditions for the monument and augmenting opportunities to improve physical, intellectual and emotional access.

AP15

Provide more seating at the abbey and along Abbey Walk

Provide well-designed, simple, seating to encourage visitors to linger and absorb the abbey’s history and atmosphere.

AP16

Repair Robin Hood’s Well and improve setting

Repair Robin Hood’s Well on De Grey’s Walk and improve its setting by reducing surrounding yew and reinstate historic planting.

AP17

Improve landscaping of De Grey’s Walk

Improve landscaping along De Grey’s Walk by removing poor yew hedge and establishing low level planting including box and ferns by path and bank.

AP18

Protect and interpret flora and fauna of abbey ruins and surrounding area

Protect and interpret the interesting range of fauna and flora associated with the abbey ruins, the Skell, Kitchen Bank and the wider setting, including bats, veteran trees, great crested newts and white-clawed crayfish.

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AP19

Review environmental conditions for collections in the mill

Review the environmental conditions for the collection of abbey objects displayed in glass cases on the top floor of the mill

AP20

Develop research framework for the abbey area

Develop and implement a research framework for the abbey area.

Long Term Plans — Investigate and implement a new and improved access, including a less steep path with resting places, down Swanley Bank. This will provide a better visitor route from the Visitor Centre to the abbey. Explore options to bring visitors to the abbey from the west, as historically required by the Cistercians.

— Continue programme of woodland thinning on Swanley Bank.

— Ease congestion on the main Abbey Walk and De Grey Walk by undertaking selective removal of trees and shrubs which create the ‘tunnel’ of planting along the former and by re-opening other routes, through adjacent woodland.

— Recapture some of the 18th century presentation of the abbey as a garden feature by addressing site-wide circulation to encourage visitors to approach the Abbey from the east, as a crescendo in their tour of the gardens (see Actions in Water Garden).

— By felling or thinning broadleaf trees and conifer plantations in the vicinity, ensure that views of the abbey are not intruded upon by inappropriate planting.

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—S eek to increase visitor access to Kitchen Bank and interpet this once busy industrial/agricultural part of the abbey and its role as part of the Aislabies garden for visitors.

—S eek to remove the 30 year old block of grand fir at Kitchen Bank and reinstate the pasture that existed until the 1920s, to restore the abbey ruins pastoral and broadleaf setting.

Character Area E — The Water Garden Summary of Condition and History This large and complex character area forms the core of John and William Aislabie’s gardens, created from 1718 to 1781. It is the site of the most celebrated and spectacular of Studley’s features, including the geometric pools and canals, designed vistas, such as the ‘Surprise View’ of the abbey, and four surviving garden buildings: the Temples of Fame and Piety, the Octagon Tower and the Banqueting House, with its modified ‘Coffin Lawn’.

The well-trodden visitor circuit takes in all of these attractions, mainly following paths on the valley floor and the High Ride, on the eastern slope.

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Unfortunately, gradual contraction of the designed landscape, even from the later18th century, compounded by restrictions imposed by the current Sporting Owner, has meant that today’s visitors are only able to access and enjoy about half of this character area. Many walks, particularly on the western slopes, are inaccessible and are gradually being concealed by earth and overgrown vegetation. Even the substantial Kendall’s Walk, which provided important links to the Banqueting House and the water garden in the first half of the 18th century, is closed and starting to disappear under self-set and planted trees. On the east, openings to adjacent areas, such as Mackershaw Park, have been blocked up, obscuring views. Tree growth has concealed several other important views. In the last two centuries, a number of buildings and structures have been boarded up, reduced to ruins or removed entirely.

This decline, though hard to avoid in such a large and demanding landscape, has made it difficult for visitors to understand how the gardens would have looked in their prime, to appreciate the interconnectivity of features, and to interrogate the ambitious aesthetic philosophies articulated by John and William Aislabie in their planting, buildings and views. Restoration and interpretation

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of some of what has been lost has already been undertaken (e.g., Temple of Fame); more is essential, and would help Studley to become much more than a beautiful and tranquil garden and to regain its rightful place as a dramatic visitor attraction of international standing, with an importance to rival that of its partner and neighbour, Fountains Abbey.

Vision for the Water Garden The vision is to reinstate the water garden at the heart of the Studley Estate and at the core of the visitor experience, by introducing the visitor to the gardens from the deer park, by significantly increasing access to the valley sides and by introducing the abbey ruins as a visual, intellectual and emotional climax to the Gardens Tour.

The vision is predicated on rediscovering, restoring and presenting the gardens’ history, meaning and exceptional significance, through the reintegration of the terraced pleasure grounds on the valley sides with the canals and pools of the valley floor, the conservation and interpretation of key ornamental structures, the sensitive and appropriate tree and woodland management, and the reopening of views both along and across the water garden.

For many years, parts of the water garden and the wooded valley sides have been managed as game cover for the benefit of the Shoot. Inevitably the consequence has been that the form, structure and meaning of the 18th century designed landscape, with its distinctive tree groupings and sinuous walks, have been, in places, submerged under uncontrolled scrub growth and eroded paths. Therefore, it must be asserted that, notwithstanding

the importance of recovering more of the gardens for the benefit of the public, the primary imperative, at this stage, is to identify and halt decay of historic fabric.

The disappearing features of this unique work of art must be protected, conserved and, where possible, recovered.

6 Year Priorities for the Water Garden Action

Project name

Description

WG1

Improve access to the water garden from the Visitor Centre

Develop green transport initiatives and footpaths to improve links between the Visitor Centre and the water gardens to encourage visitors to enter the water garden from the north.

WG2

Produce a Tree Management/Planting Plan for the water garden

Plot key ancient and veteran trees and groups of trees, ensuring that distinctive tree compositions are recorded.

Formulate and implement plans for tree conservation, formative pruning and re-planting.

WG3

Protect historic paths and drives

Protect the surviving historic paths and drives (several of which are terraced) which are currently inaccessible to visitors and which are, in a number of places, disappearing beneath slippage and recolonization.

WG4

Reopen historic walk on the eastern slopes

Improve the circulation on the east valley side by reinstating the walk from Anne Boleyn’s Seat through Galand Wood westward to De Grey’s walk.

WG5

Initiate programme of tree management on the valley sides

In partnership with the Shoot owners, initiate a programme of tree management on the west and east valley sides. Priorities include the east valley sides including the slopes above the Temple of Piety and thinning the woodlands along the High Ride which include ancient examples of Scots Pine, beech and yew. The tree management works will improve conditions for younger trees and a better environment for veteran trees.

WG6

Removal of inappropriate 20th century tree plantings

Consider removal of new cherry trees on Laurel Bank, plane trees on lower slopes of Tent Hill, gold Chamaecyparis pisifera near the Fishing Tabernacle.

WG7

Interpret the design and construction of the water garden

Provide interpretation of the water garden’s design and construction to emphasise: their significance in the WHS; the importance of the designed interchange of views; the 18th century narrative/design beginning at the northern entrance; significances of the design of the ornamental structures and garden buildings.

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WG8

Renew formal yew hedges and bosquets in the valley floor

Undertake long-term renewal of the formal yew hedges and bosquets in the valley floor and near the Banqueting House.

WG9

Planting on the High Ride

To reduce erosion and compaction, plant groups of native ferns and shrubs along the High Ride.

WG10

Restore earthwork ramparts

Restore earthwork ramparts in the vicinity of the Moon Ponds and on the west side of the Upper Canal

WG11

Encourage access to Tent Hill

Given the importance of exchange of views to and from Tent Hill, encourage access to the summit by reinstating path to viewing point at the summit. Increase opportunities for visitors to sit and engage with the past and absorb the atmosphere of Tent Hill and its views over the water garden by providing benches and interpretation. Consider rebuilding pavilion, or tent.

WG12

Continue to monitor pH of Banqueting House lawn and manage the magnesian limestone grassland to conserve its diversity

Continue to monitor pH of Banqueting House lawn and manage the magnesian limestone grassland to conserve its diversity. Remove the threat of invasive and dominant tor grass, Brachypodium pinnatum.

Prevent loss of area of limestone grassland to tree and shrub encroachment.

WG13

Improve soil condition at Half Moon Reservoir and Rustic Bridge

Improve the condition of soils and reduce erosion/compaction in vicinity of Half Moon Reservoir and Rustic Bridge.

WG14

Desilt Half Moon Reservoir

Establish a regular programme of desilting the Half Moon Reservoir with full consideration of how to manage the silt.

WG15

Desilt and improve circulation in Moon Ponds

Desilt the Moon Ponds and look at options to improve circulation in the ponds. These measures should help recover and maintain the reflective qualities of the Moon Ponds, which are essential to their meaning.

WG16

Investigate options for managing flooding in the Quebec/Rustic Bridge area

Investigate possibilities for redesigning/modifying management of water between Half Moon Reservoir and Quebec to help manage flood events and reduce damage to this area of the garden.

WG17

Reinstate Quebec as landscape feature

Reinstate Quebec as a landscape feature within the designed landscape.

WG18

Reopen historic views

Recover as much as possible of the web of interlaced views which contribute much to the significance of the water garden. Key views include: —E xchange of views between the Octagon Tower and the Banqueting House and site of the Rotondo.

—E xchange of views between the site of the Rotondo and Octagon Tower, deer park and lake.

—E xchange of views between Tent Hill, Half Moon Reservoir, Temple of Fame and Anne Boleyn’s Seat.

WG19

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Archaeological survey of the Rotondo

Through archaeological survey and research establish the location and interpret the Rotondo.

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WG20

Conserve the precinct wall at Galand Wood

Remove self-seeded trees and vegetation growing against the stone monastic boundary wall. Continue the programme of restoration of the monastic wall.

WG21

Conserve the lead and stone statues

Carry out conservation repairs to the graffiti on the Wrestlers and investigate feasibility of reinstating historic white painted finish to lead and stone statues.

WG22

Conservation of Temple of Piety

Regularly maintain cast iron and stone gutters including leaf removal. Limewash columns and stucco every 5 years. Improve ventilation of roof space and install a more permanent system of ventilation to the side rooms.

WG23

Conserve Rustic Lodge ruins

Carry out archaeological excavation/recording of Rustic Lodge ruins, consolidate wall tops and point up open joints, consider soft topping to walls. Interpret the remains of the building.

WG24

Conserve High Seat

Undertake conservation work and reinstate the structure into the landscape.

WG25

Crayfish survey and mitigation

Develop survey and mitigation programme for freshwater crayfish to understand the current population and ensure this is protected during routine land management and ongoing river maintenance and repair works.

Long Term Plans — Seek to reopen selected walks on the east and west hillsides. Seek to open up High Walk, High Seat and viewing platforms to visitors.

— Restore the 18th century wall associated with the water garden.

— Restore the exchange of views between Octagon Tower and Mackershaw and from High Seat over the water gardens.

Character Area F — Studley Lake Summary of Condition and History John Aislabie’s Studley Lake (started c.1718, expanded in the following decades), with its dams, cascade and Fishing Tabernacles, is a pivotal feature of the designed landscape, providing a transition between the formality of the water garden, the more naturalistic parkland of Studley Royal

and the rugged terrain of Seven Bridges Valley. High Fall, a spectacular cascade fed by a reservoir in Mackershaw Park, dropped into the Lake on its eastern side.

From the north bank of the Lake could be seen the distant eye-catcher of How Hill, as well as several key garden buildings, arranged in a broad vista — especially the Rotondo and the Octagon Tower. Until 2010, many of these views were blocked by a large, irregular island, created in the 19th century, which dominated the centre of the Lake. The removal of this island — a major undertaking in 2011 — has contributed to the process of reopening key views into and out of the water garden, the principal axis being the Long Canal.

Indeed, from the raised vantage point, at the north end of the Lake, one has a 180° panorama of extraordinary theatricality: to the left (east and ESE), one captures the beginning of the river (as it describes great meanders down the ‘Serpent Valley’); then

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the cascade as the Lake debouches to the river; followed by what must have been the breathtaking High Fall, cascading from the top of the Mackershaw plateau; then the long cascade flanked by the pair of Fishing Tabernacles — the gateway, both physical and metaphorical, to the water garden beyond, with the cliffs at the mouth of the narrow valley supporting the Rotondo and the Octagon Tower, to west and east. This is one of the most remarkable landscape vistas one could imagine. And, at last, its recovery seems almost within grasp.

The Studley Café, pale against the landscape background, marks the location of the entrance to the water garden.

It is a busy and welcome place to find refreshments — and it has fulfilled this role since at least the 1860s. The building may have replaced an earlier lodge. It originally had a softer, more Picturesque quality — even somewhat Swiss in style, with an attractive emphasis on overhanging eaves

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and a sheltering verandah. Today, the café has been spoiled with hard cement rendering, its quoins neatly delineated, the light paint colour means it overshadows the adjacent stone Fishing Tabernacles.

The café has been hedged about with inappropriate conifers, as if to separate it from the wider setting. The planting lends the Café — and its vicinity — a highly suburban air, cutting the visitor off almost completely from what lies beyond the magnificent gates.

As a whole, the Lake character area is a busy one, playing an important role in the dispersal of visitors across the estate, thus reducing their impact on the most popular areas — the abbey and water garden. The area accommodates visitors using the Lake car park, which developed on the site of a carriage park for 19th century tourists; those starting walks into the Deer Park; and those accessing a walk around the Lake, into Seven Bridges Valley (both free

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entry zones), the latter being extremely popular, particularly with local and / or repeat visitors.

Although there is concern that allowing vehicular traffic to enter and park in this area — to some, it ‘represents perhaps the largest single source of disturbance to the special qualities of the World Heritage Site from visitor traffic’ — this area has

seen visitors arriving in their carriages and gathering at the Canal Gates for over a century, at least. This arrival point also fulfils the extremely important purpose of bringing visitors to the ‘correct’ starting point for tours of the early 18th century water garden. Any proposals to minimise vehicular traffic here, in principle, is sensible; but the impact of such a change must be carefully monitored.

Vision for Studley Lake The recent removal of the island has already achieved one of the mains aims for this area: that of drawing attention to the pivotal role of the Lake in the remarkable landscape composition. By starting to recover its 18th century appearance, including some of the key views across it, we now have more than a hint of how vital

this area is to the whole. The vision for this area is, therefore, simple: the Lake is intended to ‘announce’ the water garden and invite contemplation of a remarkable, 180° vista. That is what it should do once more.

6 Year Priorities for Studley Lake Action

Project name

Description

SL1

Monitor and restrict vehicle numbers in Lake Car Park

Monitor and restrict number of vehicles in Lake Car Park to protect grassland and trees. Look at posts or low fencing to prevent cars parking under tree canopies.

SL2

Provide better access to the vantage point at the head of the Lake

Provide better access to the vantage point at the head of the Lake (near where Aislabie might have planned a house). Present the Nebot view (c.1760) here, as a tantalising vision of what was intended.

SL3

Erect signage to slow vehicles on main route to car park

Erect signage or discrete traffic control to slow vehicles along main drive from Studley Roger and routes to car park.

SL4

Formalise desire line footpath along north bank of Lake

Formalise/surface the desire line footpath along the north bank of the Lake between café and Seven Bridges.

SL5

Produce and implement landscape plan for Studley Tea Room and surrounding landscape.

Produce and implement a landscape plan for Studley Café and the surrounding area to improve appearance of the building, the landscape and reopen views along the lake balustrade.

SL7

Restore carriage drive east of the Lake

Restore the carriage drive to the east of the Lake and replace post and wire mesh deer fence and gate with more historically suitable boundary treatment.

SL8

Remove box elder north west of Studley Tea Room

Remove box elder at NW corner of Café to reopen the exchange of views between Café surroundings, Canal Gates and the Lake and Deer Park.

SL9

Examine and repair cascade, weir and tunnels

Examine cascade, weir and tunnels and undertake repairs.

SL10

Redecorate Fishing Tabernacles

Reinstate lath and plaster coved ceilings and redecorate in distemper.

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Long Term Plans — Reduce the impact of the car park by reducing its footprint, improve landscaping and provide a frequent green transport link to Canal Gates from the Visitor Centre or by foot.

— Improve disabled access from the Lake Car Park to Canal Gates.

— Selectively remove the coniferous plantation on the east bank of the Lake and replace with broadleaved woodland. Ensure trees are excluded from archaeology of High Fall. Repair / consolidate the remnants of the constructed, rugged cliff-face — Make much more use of estate buildings to enlarge interpretation and educational opportunities.

— Improve the presentation of the Canal Gates entrance by looking at options to replace the current ticket office and shop.

Character Area G — Studley Royal Deer Park Summary of Condition and History The Studley Royal Deer Park represents the heart of the original Studley estate.

Its early history is somewhat obscured. In the early 14th century, however, the land was intensively farmed, as evidenced in the extant earthworks of lynchets, ridge and furrow. By the mid-14th century, reflecting the impact of the Black Death, the manor came to dominate, and the land was used as pasture. There is no identified date for emparkment, but it probably

developed from the Free Warren Licence, first purchased by the Lord of the Manor in 1343.

In 1452, the Mallory family acquired an interest in the estate and thus they continued, surviving the impact of the Dissolution and supporting the Crown’s interests in the neighbourhood. In 1607, the first systematic record of the estate described Studley Hall itself, together with its, ‘court, fold, orchard, hopgarths and gardens’. The Civil War left its mark on the estate: the Mallories supported the Royalist cause. Fines and debts followed, almost certainly limiting significant change on the estate. Only when the upstart, George Aislabie, who had married a Mallory daughter, came into the estate in 1663, and had successfully resisted the rightful claims of his two sisters-inlaw by 1667, were there significant new developments. George’s death, in 1675, is likely to have led to a pause; in 1689 his second son, another George, took on the oversight of Studley, though he did not come into his majority until 1690. By 1693, George was dead. His younger brother, John, inherited the estate.

Park which remain evident today. Map analysis — especially reference to Thomas Jefferys’ plan of 1775 — combined with careful examination of the trees on site, reveal that there was extensive planting through the 18th century. John was certainly responsible for introducing many of the limes (Tilia x europaea ‘Pallida’) to the principal avenue, which adjoins what seems to be a secondary, slightly earlier, N/S lime avenue (also ‘Pallida’, probably planted c.1690), leading to Gillet Hill. John Aislabie probably also initiated the planting of lime trees along the crest of the Dale, which was then ornamented, by his son, with horse chestnut trees.

After 1721, following the débacle of the South Sea Bubble, John Aislabie devoted more time to his estate. He focused on new gardens which he was developing to the south, in the rocky terrain which framed the River Skell; it is likely that he approached these new gardens via a gate in the south-west corner of the Deer Park, which thus linked his manor house — which was regularly refurbished, but never, in his lifetime rebuilt — with the new water garden.

The two George Aislabies may have entertained ambitious plans for Studley.

George senior seems to have consolidated the holdings of land on the east side of the Park, building a new stone wall and, probably, the new entrance to the Park on the east. This, in turn, precipitated the west/east avenue across the Park, its eastern end focusing on the magnificent view of Ripon Cathedral. But it is to John, who did not die until 1742, that we must look for some of the major changes to the

During John’s time, the Studley stables were built, in the Palladian style, to the design of Roger Morris. This seems to have presaged a new house — but a radical rebuilding of the earlier house had to wait until the later 1740s, with further modifications thereafter, when it was commissioned by his son, William. It is probable that the latter also undertook some gapping-up of the principal, lime avenue, as well as other planting through the Park.

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By 1838, the estate had been the seat of Mrs. Elizabeth Lawrence for some thirty years. The vast scale of the ornamental landscape contracted somewhat during the 19th century, but it was Mrs. Lawrence who was responsible for erecting the stone obelisk at the western end of the principal avenue — which features as an important ‘milestone’, glimpsed on the new vehicular route to the Visitor Centre. She, too, probably gapped up the main avenue and the Oak Line, which runs eastwards from the vicinity of Rough Bridge and which seems to have been planted in association with building of the High Stables, from 1728. It was also during Mrs. Lawrence’s time that the glories of the many mature trees in the Studley Deer Park were much appreciated: she commissioned portraits of some of the most remarkable of the trees, which were then illustrated in J.C. Loudon’s very influential, 8-volumed Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum of 1838.

In 1859, the Studley estate passed to the Earl De Grey & Ripon. A statesman of great renown, playing a leading role in government for over fifty years, he died in 1909. Despite his dedication to public life, Lord Ripon also reworked the house once again, creating an enclosed, formal garden around the house. He also established a pheasantry — the Pheasantry Cottage of 1875 serving as gamekeeper’s house. This was a sign of a passion for field sports, enjoyed by both the first and second Marquis of Ripon — and still exerting its influence on the shape of the estate today.

Indeed, sport of another kind was served when, in 1891, a golf course was laid out in the Deer Park.

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The most significant contribution of Lord Ripon, however, was the building of St. Mary’s Church in 1871. This was commissioned from William Burges, a leading architect, whose passion for early Gothic architecture was matched only by his enthusiasm for the rich decorative details which imbued Pre-Raphaelite paintings and early Arts and Crafts ornament. This Church was one of a pair, the second being Christ the Consoler, built at Newby. At Studley, the church was accompanied by an equally distinctive Church / Choristers’ Cottage, also

by Burges.

Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey had long been on the tourist trail — following the purchase of the estate by the West Riding Council, in 1966. In 1983, the National Trust acquired the property and, in 1986, the estate was inscribed as a World Heritage Site. Since that date, the Park retains its function as a Deer Park. There is still relatively limited vehicular access to the Park, and it remains expansive, well-treed and beautiful, a rich ecological resource and a deep reservoir of archaeological, historical, arboricultural and cultural meaning.

The 20th century saw not only the impact of ever greater numbers of visitors —

Conservation Vision for Studley Royal Deer Park It is acknowledged that, whilst the Park displays many centuries of history — demonstrated, for example, in archaeological remains of the mediaeval village of Studlei Magna with its ridge and furrow farming — its principal significances depend upon activities undertaken in the late 17th century and the 18th century.

Magnificent formal avenues and other tree compositions were planted in the Deer Park to enhance the topography, direct views and indicate walks and drives through the parkland, and the bones of this layout are still evident in the fine collection of mature and veteran trees.

The vision is to conserve and maintain the legibility of the 18th century parkland, with wood pasture, its long-established deer herd and its many magnificent ancient and veteran trees, especially its avenues, which mark the desired circulation and frame key views. Conserving and promoting these great historical and cultural assets will also serve to protect the very valuable ecological assets, for which the Park is already designated locally.

6 Year Priorities for Studley Royal Deer Park Action

Project name

Description

SP1

Use LiDAR to carry out tree and archaeology management

Acquire full coverage of LiDAR to assist with tree and archaeology management in the Deer Park.

SP2

Record and conserve veteran trees and develop a phased tree continuity programme

Record and conserve veteran trees and distinctive tree compositions in the Deer Park through the development of a Veteran Tree Management Plan. This will help consolidate this area as a fine exemplar of a Deer Park and Wood Pasture, both UK BAP Priority Habitats.

Establish a long-term programme of replacing, as and when required, historic / veteran trees, which characterise the 18th century parkland designed landscape, with trees of the same species (cloned / vegetatively propagated where possible) in a pattern / grouping as close to the historic pattern as feasible. Recognise the importance of major, forest trees and also smaller or more ornamental / productive trees, including hawthorn, field maple, cherry.

SP3

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Carry out programme of tree surgery to improve condition of the limes on main west/east avenue

Carry out programme of tree surgery to improve conditions for the oldest limes (Tilia x europaea ‘Pallida’ and Tilia cordata) in the main west/east avenue which dates from late 17th century/early 18th century and the mid to late 18th century lime trees. Also carry out minor tree surgery to mid/late 18th century limes.

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SP4

Protect limes on south avenue leading to Gillet Hill

Develop a Veteran Tree Management Plan for the ancient limes leading to Gillet Hill. Remove deadwood from vicinity of the avenue.

SP5

Propagate trees for future of lime avenues

Initiate a programme of propagating Tilia x europaea ‘Pallida’ for future management of lime avenues in the Deer Park.

SP6

Thin woodland belt on west side of Deer Park

Thin the woodland belt on the west side of the Deer Park.

SP7

Manage the deer without impacting historic fabric

Manage the deer (and any other proposed livestock) at a level and in a manner that that does not impact negatively on the historic fabric of the Deer Park, deer health or the ecology of the site.

SP8

Implement the Grazing Management Plan

Implement the Grazing Management Plan for the Deer Park which includes an assessment of grazing the Park with a mix of deer and cattle, as well as rotational cutting regimes to improve fodder value and biodiversity interest of the sward.

SP9

Protect all views through and beyond Deer Park

Seek to protect all views through and beyond the Deer Park, especially to the east, including those within the buffer zone.

SP10

Encourage greater visitor access, understanding and enjoyment of Deer Park

Encourage greater visitor access, understanding and enjoyment of the Deer Park by promoting its history and landscape, revising current signage and continuing to develop our programme of deer park walks. Monitor use and enjoyment of the Deer Park and the health of the deer to ensure a good balance between conservation and access.

SP11

Remove inappropriate trees and planting

Develop a plan for the management /removal of inappropriate trees and tree groupings planted in the 20th century.

SP12

Management of deadwood

Develop a deadwood policy. Except in areas close to the avenues, or in areas of visual sensitivity, fallen deadwood should be left in situ (at least for 48 hours, as some decay organisms may need to transfer between the parent tree and the fallen branch). Where feasible, fallen branches should be retained within areas of tallherb grassland, to provide food sources for the larvae of saproxylic invertebrate species. Repeat saproxylic invertebrate survey of 99/00.

SP13

The Dale — general condition, presentation and interpretation

Ensure the Dale is inviting and its role is interpreted. Remove the deadwood from the valley floor to provide a walk to Rough Bridge. Foster flora suited to magnesian limestone along the floor of the Dale.

SP14

Provide more benches

Provide more simple timber benches for visitors.

SP15

Continue programme of repairs to the Deer Park wall

Continue the programme of repairs to the Deer Park wall.

SP16

Restore and interpret Rough Bridge

Undertake substantial repairs to Rough Bridge and renewal of damaged stonework.

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SP17

Remove trees from site of Studley House

Remove the trees from the site of Studley House and delineate and interpret the site.

SP18

Conserve and interpret medieval land management

Ensure that the history of medieval land management — visible in earthwork remains of the village of Studlei Magna, field boundaries, lynchets, remnant ridge and furrow is understood, conserved and interpreted.

Long Term Plans — Develop a greater degree of public engagement with the Deer Park through improved green transport links with the Visitor Centre and enhanced interpretation and promotion.

— Undertake conservation of the ha-ha north of Kendall’s Walk.

— Reinstate the historic boundaries of the walled Deer Park by reintegrating the lost areas of Gillet Hill into the Deer Park.

Character Area H — Seven Bridges Valley Summary of Condition and History Seven Bridges Valley has had several incarnations, including being part of the park from at least the seventeenth century.

It was probably first brought into Studley Royal’s designed landscape in the 1730s,

by John Aislabie, who may have introduced the exaggerated meanders, especially at the mouth of the valley, where there is a line of sweet chestnuts, probably planted

by John. He, too, was probably responsible for the erection of the Roman Monument in the then ‘Serpent Valley’. From 1743-45, William Aislabie redeveloped the valley,

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and the adjacent Chinese Wood, into one of the earliest and largest Chinese landscapes in Georgian England, complete with a series of wooden, Chinoiserie bridges, a tea house or ‘ting’ (Temple, Pavilion) and characterful planting on the rocky hillsides, where the steep, eroded limestone cliff appears, in places, to have been cut back to exaggerate its drama.

Extensive and meticulous river engineering produced a series of weirs, rapids and cascades to enliven the valley with the sight and sound of rushing water.

Probably after 1781, the bridges were rebuilt in stone, in the rustic style, with adjacent stone-paved fords for carriages.

These represented a move away from the overt use of Chinoiserie motifs, but retained natural, rugged textures, signifying a shift towards a more general Picturesque taste (in itself, of course, this was infused by the ‘Chinese’ style). The valley’s sheer limestone cliffs, scree slopes and hanging woodland still revealed the impact of China (or, at least, how ‘China’ was construed in the west).

The design of what became known as Seven Bridges Valley has been little modified since William’s day, though a major intervention was Major REB Crompton’s hydro-electric generator — a pioneering exercise in the development

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of electrical transmission — installed just below the Lake outlet.

Chinese Wood, including the Ting, was lost from the estate in the 1960s, when it was sold by the Vyners. There is now little obvious evidence of the Chinese landscape aside from clear archaeological traces, though the general character of the Valley, with the very distinctive, rough, limestone cliff faces and hanging woodland still convey a ‘Chinese’ flavour. John Aislabie’s Roman Monument survives, but in reduced form; it is now generally called the ‘Devil’s Chimney’. There also remains some fine planting, including veteran sweet chestnuts in the valley bottom.

The Valley, part of the free-to-enter zone, is extremely popular with visitors, who enter the Valley at the Lake end. Once in the Valley, they are constrained by deer fences at the tops of the slopes and by a lack of paths leading to the adjacent parts of the estate — Mackershaw Park and Gillet Hill, or even the Devil’s Chimney, and must either climb the steep hillside, leave the estate, following the public footpath, or retrace their steps back to the Lake.

The slopes of the Valley, particularly on the northern side, are suffering from severe soil erosion, caused by deer and rabbits (and some people). The failure and subsequent

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blocking of the 18th century bypass tunnel around a natural swallow hole means that there is now no surface flow in the lower reaches of the river, during the summer.

Vision for Seven Bridges Valley The vision is to recover the picture of the river snaking through the Valley to conserve, enhance and interpret the dramatic, Picturesque — still somewhat ‘Chinese’ — character of the Valley, whilst recalling its previous incarnations as a setting for the Roman Monument.

The prevailing perception of the Valley as an informal country walk should be challenged / enlarged by highlighting the important links with the rest of the Aislabies’ designed landscape, through the restoration of paths and views into the surrounding character areas, particularly Gillet Hill. Avoiding new planting and reducing the amount of deadwood on the Valley floor will assist in this subtle change of emphasis.

6 Year Priorities for Seven Bridges Valley Action

Project name

Description

SV1

Enhance ‘Chinese’ characteristics of area

Enhance / reveal the ‘Chinese’ characteristics that still exist: ensure that the limestone cliffs are not obscured by vegetation.

SV2

Improve collapsed section of Swallow bypass

Carry out measures to improve the collapsed section of the Swallow bypass to reveal the tunnel openings, improve fencing to exclude stock and visitor access. Investigate feasibility of removal of gravel from river bed to recover historic river flow.

SV3

Riverbank erosion

Carry out deer management measures such as fencing off areas to reduce erosion of valley slopes and river banks.

SV4

Restore key historic views to Roman Monument and along the valley

Restore key historic views through tree work and removal of some deadwood. Priorities include a) view up to the Roman Monument from the valley bottom and b) views along Seven Bridges Valley from the west to capture a view of the limestone ‘chimneys’ (sheer cliffs) on both sides, with intervening hanging woodland.

SV5

Conserve Roman Monument

Following detailed archaeological recording, carry out conservation works to Roman Monument and close off and repair the steep eroded path from valley bottom.

SV6

Address soil erosion of cliff slopes

Tackle soil erosion on the cliff slopes (without intrusive engineering if possible). Note requirement for survey of effect of wind and rain / southern exposure on cliff faces — this should help inform any necessary treatments.

SV7

Modify balance of woodland and grassland

Slightly modify the current balance of woodland and grassland by removing (possibly replanting) some of the younger trees that are close to the Valley floor. Introduce 1 or 2 weeping trees.

Long term plans — Recover the vision of the Skell snaking its way, in exaggerated meanders, through the Valley.

— Undertake a study to look at the feasibility of restoring the bypass tunnel around the swallow hole to allow surface water flow in the lower reaches of the valley.

— Improve interpretation to give a greater understanding of the design and evolution of the landscape.

—R estore access to the Roman Monument from Gillet Hill.

— I ncrease views into, from and across the Valley (particularly long views of Roman Monument and views from the north bank of Seven Bridges Valley to the Octagon Tower across Mackershaw).

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Character Area I — Gillet Hill Summary of Condition and History Until the mid-20th century, Gillet Hill was part of Studley Deer Park. This area was a significant part of the early 18th century landscape commanding spectacular views to Seven Bridges Valley, Mackershaw Park, perhaps even the Rotondo and Octagon Tower in the water garden, Studley Royal Park, Lindrick Drive and the house, an exceptionally good view of St. Mary’s Church, and How Hill to the south. There are also spectacular distant views to Ripon Cathedral and beyond. The oldest lime avenue on the estate leaves the principal lime avenue in Studley Deer Park and heads south to Gillet Hill. Later in the 18th century, the Belvedere was erected near

the summit, by William Aislabie. In later years it seems to have been one of the more private parts of the estate and off the main tourist route by the 19th century.

Today, the only signs of Gillet Hill’s parkland origins are the remains of the very early and important lime avenue (some of its ancient trees are concealed within plantations), a number of opengrown mature / veteran trees and the dilapidated park wall, forming the eastern boundary of this character area. Until 2012, the rest of the Hill was tenanted and under arable crops. This area has now been reverted back to parkland. There are still areas of game crops, with 20th century pine plantations supporting populations of pheasants for the Shoot. There is no public access. The emphasis on agricultural and

Shoot management has had, and continues to have, a detrimental impact on the health and presentation of the Hill’s remaining parkland and boundary trees. Given the importance of views and vistas to John Aislabie’s landscape design, there can be no doubt that this area should not be obscured and inaccessible.

Vision for Gillet Hill The vision is to reintegrate Gillet Hill with the rest of the designed landscape. This will make sense of the remnant Gillet Hill avenue (which will no longer come to a sudden halt against a pine plantation) and allow its restoration. It will create the opportunity to command large parts of John and William Aislabie’s landscape and will provide a pivotal vantage point from

which all can be unified, in the eye and imagination.

Immediately, addressing the threats against the area’s veteran and significant trees must be the first priority.

Ultimately, it may be that revisiting the summit of Gillet Hill will reveal or illuminate some aspects of the landscape which, as yet, remain rather vague. For example, it is apparent that the interchange of views between Mackershaw (especially the Lodge) and the Studley Deer Park are significant: how significant, we cannot yet know.

6 Year Priorities for Gillet Hill Action

Project name

Description

GH1

Restore parkland character

Continue the programme of restoration of the area’s parkland character and reintegration into Studley Royal Park, through arable reversion, removal of 20th century boundaries and removal of 20th century plantations.

GH2

Provide a quiet area for deer

Allow deer to graze here, to manage the grassland and help to relieve pressure and thereby reduce soil erosion on the neighbouring Seven Bridges Valley.

GH3

Conserve trees on lime avenue

Undertake conservation work to the trees, especially the ancient avenue limes. Gap up and replant lost trees from the avenue using stock propagated from lime trees on site.

GH4

Tree conservation on field margins

Decompact and improve soil fertility in root zone of those mature deciduous trees along the former arable field margins.

GH5

Repair 17th century wall

Repair the 17th century rubble and cobblestone park wall along the east edge of Gillet Hill.

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Long Term Plans — Encourage visitors to access and enjoy this part of the wider parkland and the range of views from it.

— Interpret the site of the Belvedere and consider its re-creation.

— Reopen physical, visual and cultural links with neighbouring character areas such as Seven Bridges.

— Seek to thin mid-20th century pine plantation to reveal remnants of early lime avenue and in the longer term to remove the pine plantations all together.

— Taking care to preserve any lining, desilt dew pond near White Quarry to improve aquatic biodiversity and provide a water source for wildlife in this otherwise dry area.

Character Area J — Mackershaw Deer Park Summary of Condition and History Mackershaw Park originated as medieval woodland, owned for over 700 years by the Archbishops of York. In 1731, John Aislabie acquired Mackershaw and the valley slopes to its east and west, enabling him to expand his designed landscape out of the valley bottom. The main part of Mackershaw remained predominantly agricultural, but John started to introduce some designed elements, including an apparently never-completed formal layout, with a reservoir for the High Fall, which dropped into Studley Lake; associated terraces; and, probably, Mackershaw Lake.

The Mackershaw Lodge, standing at the highest edge of the Park, may have been built in the 1730s-40s and probably functioned more as a distant focal point than as a frequently used entrance to the Park. The building is now partially derelict.

William Aislabie abandoned his father’s unfinished formal scheme, though he did retain High Fall (which must have required some sort of reservoir). From 1756 (and perhaps before), Mackershaw was physically separated from the pleasure grounds by a ha ha east of the High Ride, which was increasingly filled with trees, thus closing views to the west. The Park seems to have continued to be used, particularly for the enjoyment of views to the north-west, along Lindrick Drive.

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This attractive parkland is now grazed by red deer and beef cattle and suffers from soil erosion, particularly on the steep slopes at the centre of the Park. It is little visited, having lost its links to the adjacent water garden and Seven Bridges Valley. Access is restricted to a public footpath and there is no encouragement for the visitor to linger and explore the Park with its fine trees (including veteran oaks and field maples); archaeological earthworks (which include remains of the formal garden layout and a large, Iron Age enclosure); and distant views to Studley Royal Park and Lindrick Drive, Gillet Hill and the Roman Monument, in Seven Bridges Valley.

Vision for Mackershaw Park The vision is two-fold: bring this forgotten parkland back into the visitor circuit by re-opening visual, and eventually physical, links with the water garden, Seven Bridges Valley and Gillet Hill, beyond; focus on fostering a rich biodiversity in this relatively quiet and rather isolated part of the estate. Visitors should be encouraged to wander through the Park, enjoying its healthy trees and sward, long views and striking Lodge buildings and should be given the tools to understand its long and diverse history, as well as its natural diversity.

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6 Year Priorities for Mackershaw Park Action

Project name

Description

MP1

Retain character of Deer Park

Retain character of Wood Pasture/Deer Park. Grazing intensity has been reduced to address problems of soil erosion and compaction and tree damage.

MP2

Protect and conserve veteran trees

Protect and conserve the veteran trees. Protect from livestock. Decompact and improve soil beneath canopy of trees. Exploit deadwood habitats.

MP3

Restore biodiversity of water bodies

Restore the biodiversity of the water bodies.

MP4

Improve the landscape presentation to Mackershaw Lodges and interpret.

Improve the landscape presentation to Mackershaw Lodges and interpret.

Long Term Plans

Character Area K — How Hill

— Restore physical and visual links with neighbouring character areas, particularly views to and from the Octagon Tower, Gillet Hill and Mackershaw Lodge.

Summary of Condition and History

— Complete consolidation of Mackershaw Lodge and interpret for visitors.

How Hill is an outlying part of the Aislabies designed landscape. The Tower, built in 1718 on the Hill’s summit, on the site of the medieval chapel of St Michael, was a very important early focal point for many views from John Aislabie’s gardens and parkland. The long canal in the water garden was constructed at the same time and deliberately aligned upon it. Clumps of large, probably late 18th century, beech trees, planted around the Hill’s summit, seem to have been placed to direct the view.

The Hill, which is at the junction of three of the Abbey’s granges, is a rich archaeological site, likely to have supported human occupation and agriculture for at least the last 4500 years.

The upstanding remains of Monk Wall, the

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boundary of Fountains Park, the Abbot’s hunting park, form the character area’s northern boundary. St Michael’s chapel was used as a pilgrimage chapel and sinuous paths up the hill, traces of which survive, may have been part of the ritual of the pilgrimage.

How Hill is still agricultural and is heavily grazed by a dairy herd, which has the potential to damage the natural and archaeological fabric of the Hill. The Tower, and its 18th or 19th century extensions, is shut up and disused. The financial and physical future of the farm buildings on the north side of the Hill has been secured by the recent adaptation of the buildings to five holiday lets and by the application of sustainable technology wherever possible in the building’s restoration and conversion.

Although the public is free to walk up to the Hill summit, this access is not widely

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known about. As a result, this early focus of the Aislabies’ designed landscape, with its tremendous views extending to the North York Moors, is largely unvisited.

Vision for How Hill The vision is for visitors to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal to be aware of the existence of How Hill and its importance, in both the monastic and designed landscapes. Visitors, in small groups which will not threaten the natural, archaeological and designed significances of this unique area — should be able to travel to the Hill, using green transport links from the Visitor Centre. Once there, they will be able to climb the Hill and enjoy its towering beech trees and spectacular views, from both the Hill’s summit and the Tower, and to absorb its unusual atmosphere, which is at once tranquil and exhilarating.

6 Year Priorities for How Hill Action

Project name

Description

HH1

Secure fabric of How Hill Tower

Secure the fabric of How Hill Tower and buildings and their landscape setting.

HH2

Conserve nature and manage land accordingly

Recognise the nature conservation interest of the area and manage the land accordingly.

HH3

Initiate planting programme

Initiate a planting programme to provide a supply of parkland trees and shrubs to provide future trees and to maintain a mixed-age class, recognising the archaeological sensitivities of the site.

HH4

Improve water quality and biodiversity of ponds

Carry out measures to improve the water quality and opportunities for biodiversity at the north and south ponds at How Hill. Develop an understanding of the significance of South Pond as a designed landscape feature and ensure conservation work maintains the historic construction.

HH5

History of How Hill

Increase understanding of the history and significance of How Hill.

Long Term Plans — Restore and consider new uses for the Tower.

— Encourage visitor engagement with How Hill by including it on any future green transport route. Promote and interpret the area as a key element of the 18th century designed landscape.

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Map 1 — Boundaries & Character Areas World Heritage Site boundary

G

National Trust ownership boundary

G

Character Areas

A

Indicative Plan of Character Areas A B C D E F G H I J K

Visitor Centre & Access Road Swanley Grange Fountains Hall Abbey Precinct Water Garden Studley Lake Studley Royal Deer Park Seven Bridges Valley Gillet Hill Mackershaw Deer Park How Hill

F F

I

I H

J E

E A

J B

C

D D

K

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Appendix 9: Geodiversity Audit

Completed 13th November 2014 Jonathan Larwood, Senior Specialist — Palaeontology, Landscape and Geodiversity, Natural England

Purpose

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site is centred around a meander in the River Skell. Exposures of Carboniferous sandstone are unconformably overlain by Permian Magnesian Limestone. There is a cover of Pleistocene gravel and clay with associated late Pleistocene landforms. The geological influence at Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey is both implicit and explicit within the natural, designed and built elements of the site’s landscape.

Whilst the site’s geodiversity is not part of the outstanding universal value (OUV) it is an attribute that is clearly associated with OUV and strongly influences the distinctiveness of the designed landscape at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. Understanding geodiversity is an important part of understanding Fountains and Studley Royal estate, its construction and the design of its landscapes. This is emphasised by the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (SOUV) which states that ‘the layout of the gardens is determined by the form of the natural landscape, rather than being imposed upon it.’

The current World Heritage Site Management Plan (2009-2014) sets out to better understand the role geology has played in the design of the property’s landscape (Action K6) and to survey and map the estate’s geology (Action N2). In response, this report provides a review of the geodiversity of the Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey World Heritage Site and the influence and role it has played in the location, construction and design of the Abbey and Studley Royal Gardens.

Background

Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey is located on the River Skell where it cuts through the Permian Magnesian Limestone escarpment which runs from the Durham Coast to Nottingham. The steep sided River Skell Valley was cut during the Late Pleistocene when the river was swollen with glacial meltwater, cutting down through the Magnesian Limestone into underlying Upper Carboniferous sandstones. The natural shaping of this landscape and the geological resources that it has provided has been central to the establishment of the Abbey and the design of the Studley Royal landscape. The deep and remote valley with the presence of fresh water provided a tranquil, safe and productive location for the establishment of the Cistercian Abbey. Magnesian Limestone and Carboniferous sandstone were key materials in the building of the Abbey with other resources being brought in from further afield. The later development of the Aislabies designed landscape is strongly influenced by the natural landforms and flow of the River Skell, and today the estate’s habitats and species are influenced by the underlying contrasts between Magnesian Limestone, sandstone and extensive glacial tills.

This report explores these themes and the connections with geodiversity and considers the opportunities for linking geodiversity into our understanding of the site, how it is presented and managed.

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Geodiversity of Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey World Heritage Site

Bedrock

Age

Description

Some links and connections

Management

Permian

The Permian Magnesian Limestone was deposited approximately 255 million years ago, in a shallow sea known as the Zechstein, which encompassed the present day North Sea Basin and covered much of NW Europe. Climatically similar to the present day Bahamas (and during the Permian at a similar latitude) the Zechstein Sea was subject to periodic exporation and replenishment and on its margins the development of the Permian Zechstein Reef which was the primary source of the lime-rich sediments which today forms the thick sequence of Magnesian Limestone.

Garden and parkland

The most substantial Magnesian Limestone exposures are found in the Seven Bridges Valley. Here there is concern about collapse of some of the sections, however, this is not an issue in terms of maintaining the Magnesian Limestone sections and no management intervention is needed. There is some minor degradation of the Limestone sections on the garden slopes beneath the Octagon Tower with blocks rolling onto the path. This is natural degradation and difficult to slow down. A low retaining wall has been built to catch rolling blocks and visual inspection of section with occasional removal of precarious blocks (though taking care not to increase instability) is recommended.

255 mya

Lower Permian Magnesian Limestone (Cadeby Formation) crops out on the eastern side of the site with exposures visible on the steep slopes and paths to the east of the Crescent and Moon Ponds and along the gorge sides of the Seven Bridges valley (Photos 1 & 2). The basal Lower Magnesian Limestone unconformity with the underlying carboniferous, is noted to cross the River Skell near the Moon Ponds at grid ref. 280 686.

The Lower Magnesian Limestone at Fountains and Studley is typically a cream to grey coloured dolomitic limestone.

It is thinly bedded and jointed with a blocky appearance.

There is evidence of contemporary Permian bioturbation (burrowing), in fallen blocks near the path to the immediate north of the Moon Ponds.

The Permian Magnesian Limestone has had a strong influence on the character and design of the Studley Royal landscape. This is most explicit in the Seven Bridges Valley which inspired Aislabie’s Chinese landscape gardens. Here the Magnesian Limestone forms the steep gorge sides and a series of bridges cross cut across the Skell as it flows down the gorge. Little modification of the underlying landscape was necessary to achieve the desired affect though the river has a 75m long bypass tunnel constructed to avoid it disappearing down a large swallow hole. Some additional work was undertaken by Aislabie in Seven Bridges Valley to make the river more serpentine in character and cascades constructed to create torrents. The Valley was known as ‘Serpent Valley’ by 1741.

Natural outcrops of Magnesian Limestone occur on the steep wooded slopes to the east of the Crescent and Moon Ponds. The exposures have been incorporated into the sides of paths and part inspired the construction of the Serpentine Tunnel which emulates the bedded nature of the limestone in its construction.

Buildings The Magnesian Limestone was locally quarried (the nearest significant quarries are at Ripon) and used in the construction of local buildings most notably the Abbey, Fountains Hall & Studley Royal. In the Abbey Magnesian Limestone is used in a variety of ways. It is used as decorative stone as it is relatively easy to carve — it is found forming the more ornate door lintels and posts, inscriptions and statues (Photo 3). Huby’s Tower, constructed around 1500, is built from Magnesian Limestone (Photo 5).

Habitats and wildlife Thinner soils associated with Magnesian Limestone.

Magnesian Limestone grassland flora — for example the Banqueting House lawn.

In the Seven Bridges Valley the opened joints, minor hollows and collapses in the Magnesian Limestone are likely to offer potential bat roosts/potential hibernacula. Also, unstable slopes and associated bare soils and rock may offer a number of potential habitats/substrates for invertebrates.

Industry Magnesian Limestone quarried locally (within the buffer zone of the World Heritage Site) otherwise sourced from Cadeby Quarry (which was within the ownership of the estate). Lime kilns are present

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For completeness it would be useful to undertake a more detailed survey and mapping of Lower Magnesian outcrops (within the site and its wider buffer zone).

Examine more fully the vegetation change — sandstone vs limestone — can this be picked out and provide an indication of changing geology where rocks aren’t visible?

Carboniferous c. 315 mya

Approximately 315 million years old the thick Carboniferous sandstone and gritstones exposed at Fountains and Studley were deposited by an extensive river and delta system flowing from high ground (Askrigg Block) to the north. This was a near equatorial climate in an area that was subjected to periodic rise in sea level (reflecting a global change in sea level and more local disturbance associated with a mountain building phase known as the Hercynian Orogeny).

At Fountains and Studley the Lower Plompton Grit (which belongs to the Middle Carboniferous Kinderscoutian Stage) forms prominent exposures on either side of the River Skell, to the north and north east of Fountains Abbey and unconformably beneath the Lower Magnesian Limestone on the southern part of the slopes to the east of the Crescent and Moon Ponds. Most notable is the high quarried cliff to the north of the Abbey which exposes up to 7m of crossbedded (indicating current direction) fine to coarse grained, pebbly sandstone with a colour variation from yellow to red (Photo 4).

The underlying Addlethorpe Grit is inferred to cross the Skell valley in the vicinity of Fountains Abbey (at 2717 6821) — it is not clear whether any exposures are visible.

Towards the end of the Carboniferous the Hercynian mountain building phase (a consequence of the coming together of two continents) lead to widespread uplift and a period dominated by erosion rather than deposition.

Relative sea level rise in the Permian lead to the area being inundated and eventually the unconformable deposition of the Permian Magnesian Limestone over the Carboniferous landscape.

Superficial

Devensian 18000-14000 years ago

Much of the higher ground is mantled by Quaternary sands, gravels and clays (belonging to the Vale or York Formation).

These are largely associated with the late Devensian cold phase (the last ‘ice age’) and glacial and periglacial environments from 18000 to 14000 years ago. During this period glacial advance from the Lake District covered the area extending down into Lincolnshire.

Garden and parkland The western part of the site is dominated by underlying Carboniferous sandstones which form the steep river valley sides and the high ground to the north.

Buildings The Lower Plompton Grit has been widely used in the construction of the Abbey and associated buildings.

This fine to coarse grained sandstone gives the Abbey its characteristic red colour. Examining the cut faces of the Grit building stone provides a close-up view of the typical cross-bedding and the rounded to sub-angular quartz grains which vary in size from 1-10mm (Photo 6).

Best exposures of Lower Plompton Grit are in the disused quarry faces to the north of the Abbey.

These are becoming overgrown, particularly with the encroachment of ivy from above. Increased vegetation management here would open up these sections and has a wider link to the quarrying history of the Abbey.

For completeness it would be useful to undertake a more detailed survey and mapping of Carboniferous outcrops (within the site and its wider buffer zone).

Examine more fully the vegetation change — sandstone vs limestone — can this be picked out and provide an indication of changing geology where rocks aren’t visible?

Industry The Lower Plompton Grit was quarried on site as the main source of building stone for Fountains Abbey. The vertical faces to the north of the Abbey represent the final quarry faces and provide evidence of roof lines which were set into the quarry face (possibly quarry men dwellings).

Habitats and wildlife The riverside slopes are dominated by ancient woodland, predominantly oak, elm and lime.

Dominant influence on soils and subsequent land-use (agriculture) within the wider estate.

On the estate glacial till (boulder clay) dominates the wider Park to the north and northeast with isolated patches of sand and gravel associated with former river terrace deposits. Advance and retreat of ice strongly influenced the course of rivers such as the Nidd, Ure and Swale, diverting them southwards and creating glacial diversion gorges which may in part account for the deepened gorge of the Skell.

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Landforms and processes

Devensian — present

There are a number of landforms associated with the Devensian and more recent evolution of the landscape.

Dry valleys — in the deer park ‘The Dale’ forms a northwestsoutheast dry valley with a deposit of sands and gravels overlying glacial till (Photo 7). It’s likely that this formed during a periglacial environment (similar to modern tundra) with the ground deeply frozen (and impermeable) and allowing the development of a small river. With the onset of warmer conditions the ground has thawed and become permeable — no longer supporting surface flow and leaving the dry valley.

River Skell valley and Seven Bridges Valley — the Skell forms a relatively steep sided meander which is likely to reflect both glacial diversion of the Skell to a new course during the Devensian (Photo 8), a significantly larger river fed by glacial melt water and continued post glacial deepening of the river as a consequence of local uplift. The Seven Bridges Valley gorge has a similar origin. A steep sided limestone gorge has been formed with swallow holes down which the Skell flows to re-emerge near to Ripon. Minor faulting, jointing and a number of collapsed hollows are visible in the gorge sections.

The Skell drains from Nidderdale to the west and flows via Ripon into the Ure. Run-off and management of the drainage has a strong influence on the rate of silting at Fountains and control of flooding through Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal and into Ripon.

How Hill — within the wider landscape of the World Heritage Site How Hill to the south is interpreted as a morainelike glacial mound — a deposit of glacial gravel left by a retreating glacier.

Garden and parkland The River Skell is the most influential natural element at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. It has provided a basis for the original settlement cutting a deep and sheltered gorge. It is a source of water for drinking (together with local springs) and was used to establish Fountains Mill. It has provided the conditions (and possibly inspiration) for the construction of the water garden which, in its design, incorporates the widening and deepening of the river meander the shape of which is arguably mirrored in the design of the Crescent and Moon Ponds. The limestone gorge it cuts has provided the backdrop for the ‘Chinese’ Seven Bridges Valley.

Since the establishment of the mill and the growth of the Abbey the course of the Skell has been controlled and canalised. Whilst there was an understanding of the need to alleviate flooding in the design of the garden, the controlled flow of the river restricts the ability to dissipate energy during floods and risks both damage to the World Heritage Site and flooding.

Also notable is the bridged ‘Dale’ dry valley in the deer park and view point provided by the glacial How Hill to the south.

The Ice Houses — the ice houses (located to the north of the Seven Bridges Valley) have been constructed on an area of high ground in the glacial till above the water table avoiding the risk of water flow through the ice houses.

Industry The Skell powered the mill which has been central to the subsistence and income of the Abbey.

Springs and flushes — natural springs and flushes on the estate are likely to be linked to Quaternary sands and gravels overlying glacial till.

Soils — there are a variety of soils within the estate reflecting its history of cultivation and in many areas more minimal intervention. A separate soil survey has been undertaken identifying 4 soil types and considering the condition and soils erosion within the estate.

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River management is critical to the future of the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal WHS both in terms of flooding (risk of increase with environmental change) and silt build-up.

The challenge is to balance maintenance of the site’s outstanding universal value, reducing levels of siltation, accommodating the likelihood of raised water levels/ flooding and managing the Skell within its wider catchment (upstream run off from Nidderdale and downstream into Ripon). The critical point here is that management decisions should be taken with an understanding, and in the context of, the estate’s geodiversity, in particular the functioning of the Skell and its catchment.

Undertake a survey of landforms within the site and its wider buffer zone.

Consider the development of a soil management plan conserving the characteristic soil profiles of the estate.

Geology from further afield

Nidderdale Marble Early Carboniferous

Nidderdale Marble is a dark crinoidal early Carboniferous limestone used as a decorative stone for pillars within the Abbey Church (Photo 6). It was also carved to make the large marble stoup, formerly located in the Cloister and now on display in the Mill. Fountains Hall also has examples of decorative Nidderdale Marble.

Develop a short guide or information notes for volunteers to the fabric of the buildings of the estate.

Explore whether there any other decorative stones associated with the Abbey perhaps sourced from other Cistercian monasteries?

The marble was quarried at Blayshaw Quarry near Lofthouse in Nidderdale and its use is thought to be restricted to Fountains Abbey and Hall (though it is speculated that the steps at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, may be Nidderdale Marble).

Now exposed to the elements the Nidderdale Marble columns are heavily weathered.

Imported materials within Fountains Abbey, garden and park

Westmorland Slate — main roof material, an Ordovician (450-400 million years old) volcanic ash (Borrowdale Volcanic Group) from Cumbria. Widely used as a green tinged slate.

York stone — Upper Carboniferous river-lain sandstone used for flooring flagstones within the Abbey.

These materials were available during the early construction of the Abbey. They demonstrate the use of more local resources from Nidderdale for example but also the wealth and reach of the Abbey estate and its ability to bring slates in from Cumbria.

Hackfall tufa — used in the construction of the grotto and sourced from Hackfall Wood in Nidderdale. Deposited by modern springs saturated in calcium carbonate.

Bricks and tiles — bricks and tiles mainly used for flooring (eg medieval church), bricks also seen in Aislabie’s Kitchen.

Probably made from either local Carboniferous mudstones or glacial till.

Metal — evidence of lead smelting and iron working (remains of slag) at Kitchen Bank. Lead likely to have been sourced from Nidderdale and used for roofing and stained glass leading. Stained glass (utilising sand and wood ash) is likely to have been imported from Northern France.

St Mary’s Church

This late 19th century medieval gothic church contains an unprecedented diversity of widely sourced building and decorative stone.

The exterior walls (Photo 9) are constructed from Catraig Stone (Upper Follifoot Grit) — a Carboniferous sandstone from the nearby Spa Gill Wood, the roof is made from Lake District green slates from the Borrowdale Volcanic Group and the finely carved porch of Lower Magnesian Limestone from the nearby Morcar Quarry (Photo 10).

There is a striking and visual geological story to be told here that connects across Europe and to the ancient world. This is also an illustration of the changing nature and accessibility (to the wealthy anyway) of global building stone which didn’t exist when the Abbey was constructed.

This is an underplayed geological asset and warrants its own geological guide.

Internally stone is sourced from across Europe, North Africa and the USA (the font is made from Tennessee Marble) (Photo 11). Around 20 different decorative stones are used and include a full range of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks with colours including cream, black, white, red, green, orange and purple. A number of the marbles are sourced from quarries first exploited by ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilisations.

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Next steps/recommendations

Develop a simple management plan for the site’s geodiversity, this could include: — Some vegetation and stability management — Survey of the link between vegetation and underlying geology — More detailed geological survey within the site and buffer zone — Identifying sources of building stone for repairs — Develop a soil conservation and management plan Develop a strategy for integrating geology into the way the story of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is told and presented. The influence of water, the use of raw materials and the visibility of geology in the landscape and its influence on design are possible broad themes. Provide training for volunteers and develop information notes for volunteers.

Develop a geological guide for St Mary’s Church (based on unpublished notes see below).

Establish links with local geology groups — recruit new volunteers. The Leeds Geological Association occasionally includes Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal within its field visit programme. The West Yorkshire Geology Trust is a very active local geoconservation group.

Explore more fully the link between Fountains’ archaeology (including industrial ) and geodiversity.

Explore potential links with other locations (particularly in Trust ownership) in the Region specifically connecting with geodiversity (eg the Carboniferous sandstone Tors of nearby Brimham Rocks).

Explore links with other World Heritage Sites within the Trust’s care (particularly cultural) encouraging integration of geodiversity as part of the ‘fabric’ of World Heritage — use Fountains as an example. Extend this to other World Heritage Sites and the story they tell. For example, Durham Cathedral and Castle and Creswell Crags (on the WHS Tentative List) are both located and associated with late Pleistocene cut river valleys/gorges: the incised meander and peninsular of Durham and the Magnesian Limestone Gorge of Creswell Crags to the south.

Link to the new Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Management Plan (2015-2021) — these recommendations are particularly relevant to: Theme 2, Objectives J1 and J2 Theme 2, Objective L Theme 3, Objectives N, O & P Theme 4, Objective Q

Further reading

British Geological Survey, Harrogate Sheet 62 Blacker, J.G. & Mitchell, M., 1998. The use of Nidderdale Marble and other crinoidal limestones in Fountains Abbey, N. Yorks. 28pp Cooper, A.H., & Burgess, I.C, 1993. Geology of the country around Harrogate. Memoir for 1:50 000 geological sheet 62 (England and Wales.

Hilary Taylor Associates, 2009. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Soil Assessment, AMEC Earth and Environmental Report Murray Mitchell, 2005. The building and decorative stones of St Mary’s Church, Studley Royal (unpublished notes for volunteers and staff)

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Photographs Permian Photographs 1 & 2: Lower Magnesian Limestone (Cadeby Formation) exposed in Seven Bridges Vallley Photograph 3: Weathered carved door Magnesian Limestone lintel and inscription at base of Huby’s Tower

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Carboniferous Photograph 4: Carboniferous sandstone (Lower Plompton Grit) exposed to the north of the Abbey ruins.

Photograph 5: Fountains Abbey ruins built from Carboniferous sandstone, note yellow Magnesian Limestone of Huby’s Tower Photograph 6: Weathered column of Carboniferous Nidderdale crinoidal limestone

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Devensian — landforms Photograph 7: The Dale dry valley in the Deer Park Photograph 8: ‘Surprise View’ showing the incised and modified meander of the River Skell

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St Mary’s Church Photograph 9: St Mary’s Chuch built from Carboniferous Catraig Stone with finely carved Lower Magnesian Limestone porch (detail Photograph 10) Photograph 11: Interior decorative stone sourced from Europe, North Africa and USA. Ripon Tomb: figures White Carrara Marble from Italy, columns and slab Verde Antico, a serpentinite breccia from Greece, chest alabaster from Notting-Derby area.

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Appendix 10: Landscape Character Assessments

Natural England’s Character Area Assessment

Historic Landscape Character Assessment for North Yorkshire

Natural England’s Character Area Assessment locates the site in the Pennine Dales Fringe. The key characteristics of this area are: side slope of Dales uplands, predominantly sloping down to east, with locally varied topography formed by significant river valleys running from west to east. It is a transitional landscape, between the upland, predominantly grassland, landscape to the west and arable land to the east with a variation in enclosure patterns arising from different historic periods — small scale irregular field patterns, often of medieval origins, close to villages and elsewhere, larger scale enclosures, sometimes creating very strong patterns; transitions in types of field enclosure from dry stone walls in the west to hedges at lower elevations in the east; moderate density of small villages and large farmsteads linked by a network of minor roads; millstone grit predominantly used for buildings and walling, mingling with Magnesian Limestone to the east; well wooded character with wooded valley slopes, small woodlands, plantations and hedgerow trees and generally tranquil and undeveloped but with several notable market towns.

In 2010, North Yorkshire County Council produced a Historic Landscape Character Assessment for the North Yorkshire, York and the Lower Tees Valley. This project aimed to give a better understanding of the historic dimension of the current landscape. The colours referred to below relate to the online historic character mapping at http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/ article/25492.

Studley Park The Historic Landscape Character area of Studley Park, comprising a large complex of ornamental parkland associated with the Studley Royal estate, encompasses an area categorized as a Designed Landscape ranging in date from the 16th to the 18th centuries. It was privately commissioned with lakes, vistas, and pleasure grounds.

The area includes the Cistercian Fountains Abbey, and within the grounds also exists a deer park. Key features and associated sites include Ice Houses, Hall site, The Temple of Piety, The Temple of Fame, The Octagon Tower, the Quebec Monument, the Rustic and Galand bridges, The Banqueting House, Ripon and Mackershaw Gates and The Obelisk.

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Wider Setting The WHS Buffer Zone encompasses areas characterised by woodland (9%), enclosed land (59%), designed landscape (28%), recreational landscape (<1%) and settlement (4%) ranging in date from the 16th century to the modern period within 65 Historic Landscape Character Areas.

A large proportion of the buffer zone is 39 Enclosed Land (light green), which comprises modern improved fields, piecemeal enclosure, planned enclosures and a large scale parliamentary enclosure ranging in dates from the 16th to 19th centuries. Key features and associated monuments include hedgerows, evidence of Neolithic activity, enclosures, trackways, ring ditches, enclosure systems, henges, round barrows, chapels and burials, ridge and furrow, alms-houses, a pit alignment, an aircraft crash site, notable bridges, a post-medieval quarry and linear and curvilinear features. Significant sites within the area also include a medieval grange associated with Fountains Abbey, Markenfield Hall moated medieval fortified house, Whitcliffe Hall, Plumpton Hall, Spa Ghyll (Farm, deserted settlement and cup marked stone), a possible deer park associated with Park House (16001750AD), Hog Hall and Lacon Hall. Some of the areas have indications of their being a designed landscape, but further research

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is necessary to confirm this. There are also parts of ancient semi-natural woodland (possibly pre 1600) and modern improved fields defined by regular dry stone walls (before this was a highly complex area of piecemeal enclosure).

The north-western tip of a singular Recreational Landscape (yellow) containing a horse racing course directly northeast of Whitcliffe is noted within the area, and dates to the 20th century. The sixteen areas of Woodland (dark green) within the buffer zone ranges in date from pre-16th century to the modern period and comprises mixed, coniferous, and broadleafed plantation, and ancient semi-natural woodland (restocked) with key features such as post-medieval plantations (16001850AD). The six Designed Landscapes (blue) within the buffer zone are defined by ornamental and unidentified parkland, a country estate and a public park ranging in dates from the Post-medieval period to the 20th century. Monuments associated with the designated landscapes include Sharrow Hall, Lister Farm, Park House deer park, Ripon Public Park and Sawley Hall. Key features include views and vistas, pools, formal gardens, plantations, associated structures, and sun pavilions.

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There are also four Settlements (red) within the area, comprising the two planned estates of Sharow and Ripon (20th century), the estate village of Studley Roger (1540AD to Post-medieval), and the Historic Town Core of Ripon (medieval/ Post-medieval) including a market place and burgage plot arrangement, minster and precinct of medieval date. Key features include crofts and housing with private space defined by front and back gardens with no discernible public space.

Associated monuments include prehistoric findspots, an early medieval monastery, Ripon Minster and Close, St Anne’s Chapel, a hospital, Old Deanery (with associated human remains), Ripon Church, Thorpe Prebend House, possible site of Bedern College, Stanwick Prebend House, Rye Mill, a Mill race, cobbled surfaces, sand pits, and numerous medieval and postmedieval features.

Harrogate District Council’s Landscape Character Assessment Harrogate District Council’s Landscape Character Assessment does not include the WHS as it is a Registered Historic Park and Garden. The site is however flanked by the following character areas: To the north, east and west is Area 44, Aldfield to Studley Vale Fringe Farmland.

This is moderate in scale, with gently undulating flat landscape. There are large fields with individual trees in fields and hedgerows, and veteran trees and village earthworks at Aldfield, reflecting the influence which Fountains Abbey had on the landscapes beyond the boundary of the WHS. To the south, including How Hill is Area 30, Vale Fringe south of River

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Skell and Skell corridor. This landscape has many features of historic interest, including Fountains Park and Monk Wall; large woodland blocks and parkland remnants; individual trees scattered along field boundaries; dense woodland along the river and intensive land management.

The Harrogate District Landscape Character Assessment 2004 (HDLCA) refers to the wider setting of the estate and these are some of the issues relevant to the WHS site: — Loss of trees and woodland cover would change the distinctive character of the setting and may affect the significance of the main vistas. Conversely the increase in woodland cover could reduce impacts and in some cases lead to lost vistas; — Increased demand for access may compromise the parkland setting and historic design, for instance access through Studley is eroding character of the village; — Particularly important is the maintenance and reinstatement of the park boundaries. This should be examined to ensure contrasts between boundary treatments draw out the original designed intentions, especially where enclosure is characteristic and conversely where openness is an important factor;

is especially important in terms of the wooded backdrop and the continuous replanting of parkland and avenue trees over time. Lack of variation among the individual parkland and avenue trees may lead to loss of character should trees die out together over a short timescale; — Also to consider the ‘borrowed views of Ripon Cathedral, Lindrick Avenue and farmed land around How Hill; — Changes to the character of the boundary may impact upon the surrounding landscape; — Discourage development that will compromise the parkland setting, in particular recreation facilities and holiday accommodation should respect the undisturbed rural landscape around the estate. Where proposals would impact upon the setting they should be discouraged, especially where proposals may affect the quiet lanes, the vernacular qualities of farmsteads and the prevailing agricultural uses; — The key approaches should be recognised e.g. deer park wall, the hedges and Studley Roger; — Support initiatives to improve sustainable public access especially the cycle and public footpath network;

— The park and garden should not only rely on the surrounding areas to give the site its universal significance but changes to the character of the estate may impact especially where outside areas rely on the garden as backdrop. This

— Changes in land use can have an adverse affect including grazing regimes, equestrian activities and changes to arable fields from pastures. Any proposals should follow guidance set out in the guidelines adopted by Harrogate

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Borough Council as Supplementary Planning Document ‘Guidelines on Equestrian Development in Nidderdale AONB (2007)’.

— The contrast between the 18th century manicured and designed landscape with the pastoral upland; the remote qualities of the dales and the productive farmland of the Vale of York should be preserved.

The neighbouring character areas set out in the HDLCA are set out below with the key characteristics given:

Area 30 Vale Fringe south of River Skell and Skell Corridor Characteristics: “The area includes the Tower at How Hill...

The river corridor is densely wooded as is the rest of the landscape with large woodland blocks… as well as individual trees scattered along field boundaries…

Woodland and tree cover is so dense that it encloses the landscape channelling and framing views…Land use is mainly improved grassland with woodland blocks and shelterbelts associated with…

Fountains Abbey”.

Aims: ­— P rotect and enhance woodland and tree cover across the area.

Area 44 Aldfield to Studley Vale Fringe Farmland Characteristics: It is moderate in scale with gently undulating to flat landform. Fields are large. Individual trees in fields and hedgerows are typical…visually these link the character area with the parkland of the World Heritage Site. Veteran trees and village earthworks at Aldfield reflect the influence which Fountains Abbey had on the landscapes immediately beyond the boundary of this World Heritage Site…This well treed character area is very important to the setting of the World Heritage Site and serves to maintain its separation from Ripon. Framed views of Ripon Cathedral and an important vista from the obelisk at St Mary’s Church in Studley Royal to Ripon Cathedral.

Aims: — Encourage the retention and enhancement of existing agricultural/ parkland character between Ripon and the World Heritage Site.

— New facilities should relate to existing attractions rather than create new ones

Area 45 West Ripon Rivers Laver and Skell Confluence Characteristics: “The area…abuts the western edge of Ripon with a diverse land use providing recreational opportunities for local communities and tourism. The river corridors are shrouded in dense woodland.

This creates an intimate setting for riverside activities and a strong network of public footpaths makes this part of the area accessible and provides important links into Ripon and towards Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in the west.

The woodland also serves to maintain a separation between the World Heritage Site and Ripon. Mixed land use of grass fields and recreational open space with facilities, allotments and gardens, grade 3 agricultural land.

Aims: — Tourism facilities should be low key avoiding prominent locations — Promote appropriate woodland and tree management along the river corridor.

— Encourage the retention and enhancement of existing agricultural/ parkland character between Ripon and the World Heritage Site.”

Aims: —C onserve historic features and patterns that remain in the landscape.

—S urvey hedgerows to assess importance and set up hedgerow register.

— Farm diversification enterprises need to consider landscape character where change of use and land management is anticipated.

—R esist highly visible locations for telecom masts and require an assessment of the impact of proposals as part of a planning application.

— Research into the historic and archaeological elements of this area would improve understanding of the origins of landscape pattern.

—N ew tree planting should be appropriate to the area (see Harrogate Council’s Landscape Design Guide: LDG 8.1.3 — supplementary guidance to the Harrogate District local plan (2001)

— Promote tree and woodland management to secure long term future of tree cover and maintain some of the diversity in the area.

Area 47 Bishop Monkton Moor and Ingerthorpe Moor Farmland Characteristics:

Characteristics:

“Is large scale and open with extensive views over a uniform arable landscape.

Woodland is sparse as are individual trees along boundaries...Field boundaries are severely fragmented, replaced with fences or have disappeared altogether.

Occasional wavy hedgerows follow parish boundaries and are important. Ripon Rowels Bridlepath and a few other public footpaths pass through the area but generally the access network is poor.

Aims: — Encourage reinstatement of hedgerows particularly along roadsides and historic

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— Identify hedges considered important under the Hedgerow Regulations and develop a hedgerow register for the Character Area.

—E ncourage planting of gaps in existing hedgerows and planting of new hedgerow trees.

Area 46 South Ripon Farmland “The landscape is reasonably well wooded with clumps and individual trees creating dispersed views. The landscape is balanced and simple comprising large, agricultural fields scattered with individual farmsteads and the occasional red brick and tile field barn. Agricultural land managed for both livestock and cereal crop production. Field pattern in the area suggests early enclosure but much of the pattern has been lost due to the amalgamation of fields.

parish boundaries.

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— Encourage native tree and woodland planting to respect the landscape pattern and create links between existing blocks of trees that are currently isolated in the arable landscape.

— Improve the integration of large-scale buildings in the landscape. Mitigation measures will be required, where development is allowed to integrate proposals with the surrounding landscape. ore information on the landscape M character can be found in the Natural England National Character Areas, the North Yorkshire County Council Historic Landscape Characterisation Project and the Harrogate Borough Council Landscape Character Assessment.

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Fountains Hall

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Appendix 10

Find out more We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our plan.

If you’d like to find out more information or to see this document in a larger format then please visit our website: nationaltrust.org.uk/fountainsabbeywhs

Photography: © National Trust Images / John Millar / Andrew Butler / Chris Lacey / Richard Jemison / Arnhel de Serra / Mike Kipling / Michael Ridsdale / Rod Edwards / Jonty Wilde / Kippa Matthews / Aimee Rawson / Ebsford Environmental / Jonathan Pow / Brian Kay / Sarah France / Jonathan Larwood. Design: designbyjournal.co.uk. Printed on FSC certified paper from responsible sources. Please recycle this booklet after use. © National Trust 2014. National Trust is an independent registered charity, no. 205846.