Design process
The Anglo-French design team's winning competition proposal was to develop a strategy based on the creation of 'a clear urban and park framework which envisages contrasting spaces for different uses in the park'.
The site was derelict and contaminated and the design involved a two-stage implementation process. The first phase, led by Groupes Signes, which began in 1998, involved remediation works to dewater the contaminated water-table, remove tars and oils off-site and cap the contamination by the inclusion of a capillary break layer.The second phase consisted of building the new structures, installing the water feature, constructing the hard surfacing and planting the new vegetation and this was completed in March 2000.
The site is divided into visually and spatially distinct areas and these have differing design philosophies, but certain features are particularly identified with Alain Provost of Groupes Signes, whose designs include Parc Citroën de Cevennes in Paris.
The sunken green dock is a reference to the former Prince Regent Dock. The 4.5m high retaining walls are stabilized and irrigated to allow them to be clothed in plants. This area provides a sheltered microclimate for manicured shrubs and herbaceous planting arranged to create a bold seasonal effect of colour. The designers counterbalanced this with the wavy yew hedges extending the length of the dock.
The plateau to either side of the dock is higher than the original site level. The concrete capping layer has been sculpted to form these raised areas, which are planted with a mixture of large ornamental tree species in a longitudinal grid pattern at 5m centres, with wild flowers below.
The visitor centre/café building is contemporary in design but reflects the history of glass structures in the landscape. Its oak-framed structure is combined with glass, etched with the names of trees in the park. When the centre is not in use the glass is protected by wooden shutters. Iroko decking to the south links to a grassed performance space.
The client insisted upon the fenced children's play area, which is located within an informal recreational area on the eastern plateau area.
The maintenance of the site is under local authority control, but there was no project budget allocation for on-going maintenance.
