Have your say on Stanmer Park master plan

Residents are being invited by the council to have their say on a master plan for restoring Brighton’s Stanmer Park estate to its former historic glory.

Among proposals are renovating more than a dozen listed buildings - and finding new uses for them.

An historic walled kitchen garden would be brought back into use and the estate’s listed 18th Century parkland recreated, including planting clumps of trees.

Part of the plan is to ensure Stanmer becomes a key gateway into the South Downs National Park.  It would entail better sustainable transport links to Stanmer.  On-site parking and traffic management would be improved.

The project is jointly managed with the South Downs National Park Authority, which is co-funding the scheme.

A series of staffed exhibitions are being held at Stanmer Park and other city locations during April, as follows:

Sunday April 13, 2-4pm at Stanmer Church

Saturday April 19, 10am-4pm at Stanmer House

Tuesday April 22, 2-5pm at The Level

Friday April 25, 10am-5pm at Jubilee Library.

People can also get information and gives views at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/stanmerplan

Following public consultation last summer, a draft master plan has been drawn up, which residents are now being invited to comment on.

Biodiversity, sustainability and access would be improved along with more opportunities for education and community involvement.

A new Greenway path for cyclists and pedestrians would be created.  A visitor information centre would include toilets and cycle hire.

Stanmer’s 485-hectare estate boasts a nationally-significant Grade 2 listed landscape and stable block plus 16 Grade 2 listed buildings.  Located within the South Downs National Park, it provides a setting for the Grade 1 listed Stanmer House.

As well as being jointly managed by the South Downs National Park Authority partners helping the project include local Food Partnership, and Stanmer Preservation Society.

Chair of the council’s environment committee Councillor Pete West said:  “The council has done a fantastic job restoring The Level and we’re looking for a project of that quality at Stanmer Park.  It’s amazing what can be done and we think there’s great potential to restore Stanmer’s landscape and buildings to their former glory.

“This plan will help us preserve, and bring back into use, the wonderful listed buildings for future generations to enjoy. It will also improve public access, promote understanding of the park’s history, increase volunteering and learning opportunities, better manage traffic and restore the setting of Home Farm as the heart of the park.”

A National Lottery grant or other forms of external funding would be sought to implement the master plan.