St Osyth Priory
For this complex enabling development project at St Osyth Priory involving 24 listed buildings, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a registered historic park and protected species, we prepared landscape, visual and ecological contributions for seven planning applications and an Environmental Statement.
The project was landscape-led with early involvement in the siting of new residential development and replacement buildings in the park. This was informed by extensive ecological surveys and historic landscape studies which have been undertaken and reviewed over ten years. The centre of the park was affected by long term gravel extraction and this needed to be restored and integrated with the historic landscape. The proposals are based upon the protection, conservation and restoration of remaining historic features complemented by new proposals to improve the financial and ecological long-term sustainability of the estate. An exhibition was part of the public consultation and extensive negotiations were carried out with stakeholders.
Seven planning applications were submitted to Tendring District Council for new residential development, the rebuilding of follies and lodges, a visitor centre and function room and the restoration of the park. The application included a statement of significance, a comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for both the park and the Priory precinct, extensive ecological and tree surveys, a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment that formed part of the Environmental Statement, and landscape proposals for each area of development.
