Landscape at Bramshill House

Landscape

The proposals for the site have been led by an understanding of the historic development of the site from the Jacobean period and beyond. The extracts of historic maps below show this development. This has been further understood through employing renowned experts in landscape history and restoration of historic parks to advise on what is and is not possible.

This has been developed into a new landscape masterplan, which includes the repair of significant lost features and the opening up of blocked or partially concealed views.

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These features include:

• The original route of the 17^th century Reading Avenue will be reinstated by the demolition of buildings along its path, relocating buildings further away and diverting the majority of traffic away from Reading Avenue. The reinstatement of Reading Avenue was seen as a key landscape and heritage benefit by the Planning Inspector.

• Recreating an 18^th century Sweet Chestnut Grove between the lake and Bramshill House, returning a lost feature and softening the retained filming buildings.

• Partial restoration of lime and sweet chestnut avenues in the former deer park and area to the north east of Bramshill House. This area is proposed to be a new nature reserve, both returning obscured 17^th and 18^th century features and providing an extended habitat for ground nesting birds. Cuttings would be taken from the existing lime and sweet chestnut trees to retain the exact species.

• Clearance of pine plantation between Reading Drive South and the lake, to allow the existing oak avenue to rejuvenate and the replanting of lost 18^th century avenues. This also allow the earthworks to the lake to be better revealed.

• Partially recreating the north-western end of Reading Avenue, allowing the walking route to be clearly established to the lost maze.

• Careful removal of ground cover to the site of the Jacobean maze and archaeological works to the circular ditch to allow the maze to be better understand and enable further restoration works to be brought forward. Walking route created to and across the lost maze.

• Renovation of the Holloway path up Maze Hill Close to the maze. The Holloway was partially hidden with hedges and alternating planting on both side as a deliberate design feature of the 18^th century or earlier and is currently obscured.

• Clearance of underplanting around the lake and on the island to allow the Jacobean island to be more visible and the distinctive shape of the island to be better read. Clearance of ground cover would also enhance the ecological value of the island.

• Enhancement of Green Ride though the re-establishment of low hedges and field boundaries to what may have been an early example of a Ferme Ornee (or ornamental farm), including an extension of Maze Hill Close into the woods to allow natural thinning and enhancements to the ecology.

• Clearance of trees between green ride and Bramshill House to allow an historic view to be enjoyed again.

• A new SANG area is proposed to reduce and mitigate recreational impacts of potential future residents on nearby areas which are ecologically sensitive. This area comprises extensive mixed woodland and acid grassland habitats, with views across areas of heathland and open water. It will meet all the necessary requirements specified by Natural England, including the provision of a network of footpaths, focal points, interpretation signage, far reaching views, a variety of habitat types and easy well-marked access from residential properties.