The overall intent was to reverse ingrained decline which threatened to significantly reduce both the historic value of the park, and its social and recreational use. More specifically it meant addressing considerable problems of social exclusion caused by crime, perceived lack of safety, and access difficulties; and harnessing and widening latent local interest.
Issues related to the decaying resource required urgent attention to prevent irreversible decline of buildings and garden structures that included Grade II* and Grade II grottos, a large formal canal, dovecot, an exquisite ‘alcove seat’ and extensive walled gardens of considerable historic significance.Other serious detractions included polluted water courses, dangerous structures / areas closed on safety grounds, and defunct facilities. Combined these placed the park close to the tipping point of becoming a ‘no-go’ area.
