6.2 Recommended Actions by Theme

6.2 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS BY THEME These recommendations are relevant across the Estate and should be read in conjunction with the specific actions that apply to individual components, set out in Section 6.5. These actions provide guidance for when considering future development and are informed by conservation best practice.

ACTION

1 Ensure that any removal or reconstruction of circulation routes is preceded by an investigation and recording of any evidence of historic routes, width, build-up, wearing course and camber.

2 Establish a hierarchy of routes dependent on traffic volume and uses (with different widths, construction, wearing courses)

3 Consider implementing a one-way traffic flow for visitors across the site (e.g. from the

South to North Lodge) that maximises the benefits of the dramatic designed views and carry out an assessment of new routes for farm deliveries and day to day management activities.

4 Begin discussions with the Highways department at Durham County Council regarding increased visitor traffic, entry and exit points and so on.

5 Carry out an assessment of potential future intrusion on the parkland and key vistas, and impact of pedestrians for any proposed new routes across the Parkland.

6 Seek to provide inclusive access to all public areas of the site. Where physical access may be deemed too harmful to significance or unsafe/impractical, other forms of access such as digital interpretation could be considered.

7 Carry out an audit of areas that could provide parking without causing harm to the landscape and setting. Consider providing several distinct areas of parking for different activities to disperse vehicle pressure across the site. 1 Encourage people to explore more of the site, and to follow different routes, in order to augment visitors’ understanding and reducing footfall in focused areas, thus reducing the potential for irreversible damage.

2 Provide routes which visitors can follow depending on their interests, time availability and abilities.

3 Provide wayfinding to better allow visitors to experience the designed views, particularly of the Castle when approached from the south.

4 Improve wayfinding and pedestrian flow in the public areas between the parking and the Castle, including the route via the stables and Walled Gardens. Opening up routes north to south and east to west within the stables area would be beneficial. THEME

Management and use ACTION

1 The proposals for the development of Raby Park should align with the evolving vision for the site.

2 Periodically review the ongoing success of the management structure to ensure it remains as efficient and robust as possible.

3 Physical alterations to significant spaces within the building are likely to be required to create flexible new uses and any harm should be balanced against the benefits.

4 Ensure each post-holder is aware of their responsibilities and has the appropriate skills and training to carry out their role. Enlist external specialist advice when necessary.

5 Seek to broaden the cultural cultural and intellectual experience of the Estate.

6 Commission any additional surveys required to fully understand the Estate and the implications of change, for example baseline biodiversity study and arboricultural reports, impact assessments and access audit.

7 Continue to consider the boundary of the Registered Park and Garden with statutory advisors to ensure the protection it offers is commensurate with significance.

THEME ACTION

Built Structures 1 Ensure the recommended actions of the 2018 QI continue to be implemented.

2 Seek permission from statutory bodies prior to any alteration that will affect the special interest of a designated heritage asset and its setting, or the context of the Registered

Park.

3 Significance of the buildings generally lies in their external appearance within the landscape and any surviving historic features. Both should be retained as far as possible in order to sustain key values.

4 Ensure proposals for change are based on a clear understanding of significance, proportionate to each structure’s special interest.

5 A recording exercise (to Historic England’s Level 3 or 4) should be carried out prior to major alterations or loss of historic fabric for listed structures.

6 A programme of long-term maintenance and repair should be implemented for all historic structures, as well as those excluded from the 2018 QI.

7 The principle of maximum historic fabric retention should be of the starting point for any proposals for change. Any change should respect the character, scale and massing of the current building, and its setting.

8 Any alterations or additions should be high-quality, of appropriate materials and craftsmanship and respect the existing setting and scale of development. This will have an impact on the cost of interventions.

9 Proposals for areas of the highest significance (such as listed buildings) should be based on trials and investigations prior to the project commencing, in line with good conservation practice.

10 New viable uses should be sought for built structures that are currently redundant or in

‘meanwhile’ use. Explore the possibility of moving maintenance and storage needs of the Estate to less conspicuous or less significant areas. THEME

Walled Gardens and Stables ACTION

1 Prior to change within the Walled Gardens, a full assessment of the landscape should be carried out, including research historic planting, ecology, arboriculture and biodiversity.

2 Individual rooms, structures, features and landscape components should be assessed for a proportionate level of understanding of significance (to inform impact) prior to any proposed alteration, in line with national planning policy.

3 New uses should be sought for the redundant buildings and spaces in ‘meanwhile’ uses within the complex. Explore the possibility of moving maintenance and storage needs of the Estate to less conspicuous or less significant areas.

4 New uses should be sensitive to the historic building and should seek to reveal significance of architectural features.

5 Opening-up and sub-division may be justified by the creation of viable spaces but should be considered in relation to historic plan form and its significance.

6 The footprint of previous structures could provide precedents for new buildings, providing they respect the historic plan form and give grain and historic context back to the site. Characteristic features include long, narrow structures, use of tall boundary walls and vernacular architectural features. Polite architectural styles include Classical and Gothick models.

7 The removal of modern interventions, paint finishes, cementitious pointing and renders would be beneficial.

8 Recognise and plan for the need for new infrastructure, services and maintenance spaces as part of any proposals for development. These will have an impact on significance if not carefully planned at the outset.

9 Consider introducing new uses into this area that complement the focus of the visitor offer – the stables, Walled Gardens and Castle. Ancillary facilities can be accommodated within less significant spaces, reducing harm to listed buildings.

10 Sustainable technology and methods should be used where feasible to enhance the performance of the buildings, enhance energy efficiencies and reduce carbon impact

THEME ACTION

Archaeology 1 Ensure archaeology above and below ground is considered as part of any proposals. The archaeological strategy within this Conservation Plan should be the starting point for any investigations.

2 Seek advice on whether below-ground disturbance will require archaeological investigation and agreement from the relevant statutory bodies.

3 Following consultation with relevant statutory bodies, commission targeted

Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments and non-intrusive surveys as required.

4 Following completion of any works, evaluation and results of investigation will be shared amongst the professional and amateur archaeological community. THEME

Landscape management, woodland and planting ACTION

1 Ensure any historic woodlands which reveal past patterns of management (for example, coppicing or pollarding) are once more managed in the same fashion. 2 All new planting should be carefully considered in relation to scale, colour and character of the trees or shrubs; dates of introduction; relationship to different styles of planting. 3 Veteran trees are an asset to the park and should be managed to secure their retention. 4 Replant specimen parkland trees using the 1st edition OS map as an initial guide to historic tree planting. 5 Create open clearings – dappled woodland edges and margins are of importance for invertebrates, e.g. providing shelter and nectar sources. 6 Ensure that vegetation is maintained so that it deliberately frames/filters/hides/reveals views.

7 Potential to use the existing Longhorn cattle herd for conservation grazing within both the parkland and woodland.

8 Shift the balance away from timber production towards maximising environmental value and accessibility. 9 Lake management should continue is a regular programme of desilting and removal of algae.

10 Ensure any new agricultural boundaries do not disrupt key designed views. Consider replacing existing boundaries gradually with more appropriate estate iron railings which are less visually intrusive. 11 Grazing: the stocking rate of the deer should be carefully monitored, to check their impact on the ancient and veteran trees, for example, or their impact on historic landform.

12 Commission a tree survey including identification and significance of veteran trees. 13 Commission a baseline biodiversity study and recommendations, including identification of protected species.

14 Research any significant plants surviving, especially within Bath Wood, or any planting lists that could inform restoration of the garden. There is an opportunity to start propagating from any original cultivars

THEME ACTION

Setting and views 1 Ensure views to and from the Walled Gardens are sustained and the prominent elevations external appearance of historic buildings are not heavily altered.

2 Ensure alterations or additions do not impact on views to or from the Castle and are subservient in scale, massing and respectful in materials to their surroundings.

3 Restore key vistas between structures and features through selective tree removal and crown lifting.

Community Engagement 4 Views from the A688 are important but should to be selective, with careful screening along the rest of the road to minimise intrusion on the parkland.

1 Consider the creation of a Friends Group for the Walled Garden, and a volunteer conservation programme based on management, maintenance and conservation of the

Walled Gardens in their current form.

2 Continue to work with and nurture existing volunteers and provide them with training to improve their understanding and offer to visitors.

3 Consider the potential to introduce an education program within the landscape as part of a wider interpretation scheme.

4 Explore a relationship with universities to provide a detailed research placement for a student to inform understanding, in line with the emerging research strategy within this

Conservation Plan.

5 Keep visitors updated during the development of the site through regular news articles on the website.

6 Ensure key local stakeholders and statutory bodies are kept informed of development proposals and are given an opportunity to comment. THEME ACTION

Interpretation 1 Consider commissioning an interpretation plan to explore the narrative of the Estate and the stories that should be told. Focus on the Castle, Walled Gardens, stables/farm use, Parkland and bath house would be beneficial.

2 Recording should be carried out prior to change and particularly prior to any demolition within the Estate. An assessment of impact commensurate with significance is required to support proposals. This could form the foundation of interpretation for visitors and research purposes.

3 Further develop an educational programme for schools, colleges and universities.

Instigate a scheme for families during holidays. Build relationships with relevant local groups and organisations.

4 Commission a collections strategy plan to inform the safekeeping, display and interpretation of significant collections within the Castle.