First planning permissions received - 13 August 2010
Cotswold District Council have awarded Westonbirt Arboretum outline planning permission for the Propagation Unit and full planning permission for the Education and Learning Building; both are planned as part of the Westonbirt Project.
Miranda Winram, Westonbirt Project Director commented:
“This is really good news. Having planning permission for the changes we want to make helps to reassure potential funders, visitors, staff and other stakeholders that our plans for these areas can be delivered.
“The planning consent will give the team the confidence to engage with Trusts and Foundations who we hope will support the Project.”
The outline planning consent received for the plans for the new Propagation Unit includes a 291 square metre standing down area, a shade house, raised beds, locations for three polytunnels, a quarantine area, glasshouse, three cold frames, a potting shed (to also be used as an office) and a compost dry store.
A path, which runs around the perimeter of the Propagation Unit, has also been included in the plans to allow visitors the chance to watch our propagators at work. Interpretation about the processes undertaken will be displayed around the unit to explain why propagation is so important for the arboretum's tree collections.
The full planning consent received for the Education and Learning Building includes three, 65 square metre classrooms which can be divided in a variety of ways using two moveable walls. Several storage rooms, male, female and disabled toilets, a kitchen and a covered interpretation space are also planned.
The Westonbirt Project will also be able to build a timber freestanding covered space for visitors using the Education and Learning Building to use for lunches and outdoor education activities.
The planning permissions received are valid for three years.
Along with these two planning applications, Westonbirt Arboretum has also applied for full planning permission for the Welcome Building, new car park, restoration of the Downs, the Tree Walkway and Heritage Vantage Point. The results of this application are expected in September.
See the our plans page for architectural images and drawings.
Archaeological dig to assess car park site for development - 10 August 2010
A team from Cotswold Archaeology are visiting Westonbirt Arboretum from 10 August. They will investigate the site of the proposed car park to ensure it is suitable for development.
The team will spend a week creating trenches to investigate if there are any archaeological remains in the proposed car park field, positioned to the left of the current car park barrier.
Initial desk based research did not find any references to any previous structures at this site, but further site investigations have been requested by Cotswold District Council as part for the planning application.
Archaeologists have previously carried out an initial geotechnical survey which has informed the locations of the trenches. The trenches will aim to establish any potential archaeological remains.
The Westonbirt Project team advise people to be aware of this work and to take care if walking around the area.
Design work begins on interpretation for the Westonbirt Project - 5 July 2010
Good interpretation is key to visitor experience. With the planning applications for improved facilities submitted, the next step for the Westonbirt Project team is to develop the ways visitors can learn about the arboretum on their journeys around the tree collection.
The Westonbirt Project team plan to create interpretation that connects the new facilities with the current landscape, and incorporates messages about the history, heritage and management of Westonbirt’s nationally important tree collection.
Initial designs are being produced for the look and feel of on-site wayfinding and interpretation, as well as the interpretation within the new Welcome Building.
Inspiring messages and visuals will help visitors to learn about the importance of trees in all our lives, the heritage of the arboretum’s founders, the Holford family, and the careful management of the Westonbirt’s landscape.
Damon Mahony, the lead designer on the Forestry Commission team delivering the concepts commented:
“We are taking a holistic approach to the design, which will result in wayfinding & interpretation that will work with the site for many years to come.
“We want to create a look and feel that will speak to a range of audiences, communicate the heritage of the site and the important work Westonbirt undertakes to manage the landscape.”
The initial concepts will be available to see soon, so keep a look out on the www.westonbirtproject.co.uk pages for examples of the visuals.
The Westonbirt Project team welcome a new fundraiser - 28 June 2010
The team behind the delivery of the Westonbirt Project has this month welcomed a new member.
Nick Healey has joined the team as a fundraiser and will work alongside Project Director Miranda Winram. He will focus on submitting applications to a wide variety of trusts and foundations.
Nick comes from an experienced background in fundraising, having raised money for a variety of projects at CLIC Sargent and the University of Exeter. He commented:
“I’m delighted to join such an enthusiastic and dynamic team as the Westonbirt Project gathers momentum. Thank you to everybody who has given time to help with my induction. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and some long walks in the woods to inspire me.”
Nick will be keeping people up to date with his work through entries on the Westonbirt Project blog.
The Westonbirt Project submits planning applications - May 2010
The main planning applications for the Westonbirt Project have been submitted to Cotswold District Council.
The project has been split into three applications: one outline for Propagation, two separate full applications including the Welcome Building, Downs Restoration and Education & Learning Building. The application for the Tree Team Operations Area will be submitted shortly.
Sophie Nash, Project Support Officer commented:
“It’s been a busy time for the Westonbirt Project Team. With several long supporting documents to prepare. It’s quite a relief to finally have reached this big milestone with fingers-crossed for approval at the end of the summer.”
The planning application can be viewed via the Cotswold District Council main planning page, at www.cotswold.gov.uk, using the reference numbers:
10/01914/FUL - Full application for Education & Learning and Staff Car Park
10/01915/OUT - Outline application for Propagation
10/01916/FUL - Welcome Building, Tree Walkway and Heritage Tower and Main Car Park
Well done to the winners of the project raffle - April 2010
Thank you to everyone who supported us and took part in the raffle. Here are the lucky winners:
1st Prize: £1,000 cash to spend at your leisure, well done Nancy Hurcombe of Cheltenham.
2nd Prize: A night at a luxury Cotswold hotel, well done Martin Hill of Cirencester.
3rd Prize: Hot air balloon ride for two over Westonbirt, well done Carol Miller of Hullavington.
We wish you all a Happy Easter!
Westonbirt Project holds local community evening - April 2010
Westonbirt will hold an open evening on April 15 to share development plans for the Westonbirt Project.
Between 6-8 p.m., members of the local community are invited to the Great Oak Hall to meet the Westonbirt Project team and find out more about future developments to the National Arboretum and associated planning applications.
Architectural visuals will be on display and senior staff from the Forestry Commission and the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum (FOWA) will be available to discuss the arboretum’s future.
Westonbirt Project director, Miranda Winram, commented:
"We are keen to share our vision for the arboretum with the local community throughout the development of the Westonbirt Project. Westonbirt is an internationally important place for heritage, learning and conservation and we believe the project will protect the site for people to enjoy in the future."
"We’d like as many local residents as possible to be able to attend the evening so please do contact us if you’d like to discuss wheelchair access, the hearing loop or any other matter relating to accessibility."
Call 01666 880220 or email for information on accessibility. For further information on the Westonbirt Project visit www.westonbirtproject.co.uk.