CREATION OF A WOODLAND SCULPTURE WALK AT Bletchley Park, Wilton Avenue, Bletchley FOR Bletchley Park Trust

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1 06/00986/FUL CREATION OF A WOODLAND SCULPTURE WALK AT Bletchley Park, Wilton Avenue, Bletchley FOR Bletchley Park Trust INTRODUCTION The application site is located within the centre of the historic Bletchley Park site within a area of grassland and specimen trees all of which are protected by a preservation order. The proposal is for the provision of a number of free standing metal sculptures as part of a 'sculptures walk' around this part of Bletchley Park. There are 9 sculptures to be located at various stages along the walk. The sculptors vary in size with the largest at 2.7m high and 2.0m long down to the smallest at 0.7m high and 1.53m long. The application site is located within the Bletchley Park Conservation Area and within the curtilage of The Mansion and building blocks A and B, which are grade II, listed buildings. MAIN ISSUES The key issues are: 1. Design quality and impact upon the Conservation Area and the setting of the listed buildings; 2. Any impact upon any trees.

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5 PLANNING HISTORY There have been numerous planning applications submitted for the Bletchley Park area, however the most significant in relation to this application are: 99/01196/MK Change of use to educational and training for temporary period of four years at block E. granted /1397/OUT Part heritage park/museum together with A1, A2, A3, B1, C1, C2 and D1 use, part residential (approximately 180 dwellings), car parking, service and access roads. Not proceeded with. 00/01399/CON Conservation area consent for partial demolition of block C and for redevelopment of block C comprising enterprise house/innovation centre, visitors centre with car parking and landscaping. Not proceeded with. 01/01069/FUL Integrated Heritage Park including innovation centre - enterprise hub, heritage/museum uses and ancillary uses, conference, residential, education and community uses were granted in /01385/FUL Change of use from education (use class D1) to business (use class B1), block E granted in /00309/FUL Change of use from B1 to heritage museum (use class D1), block A and B granted /01964/FUL Change of use: revised museum plan and internal demolition of partitions, at blocks A and B. Granted /02203/FUL Change of use from museum (use class D1) to business (use class B1), part block A granted January /02204/FUL Renewal of planning permission for change of use from museum (use class D1) to business (use class B1), granted January /00137/LBC Listed building consent for demolition of internal nonstructural partitions to enable completion of phase 2 of museum plans in accordance with condition 5 attached to 04/00309/FUL, permitted /00222/FUL Continued use of block H as museum and use of blocks C and D as museum, permitted /00584/TPO Tree Preservation Order consent to fell 21 trees - consent /00723/FUL New Vehicular and Pedestrian entrance - permitted /00840/FUL Upgrade internal roads - permitted /01385/TPO Tree preservation order consent to fell and remove 4 sycamore trees, 1 silver birch, 1 Scots pine and 1 ash tree - consent /02020/TPO Notification of intention to fell and remove 1 ash tree 06/00516/TPO Consent to fell 3 groups of sycamore trees, 1 horse chestnut tree, 2 cherry trees, 1 ash, remove lower limb of 1 cedar tree and trim 1 willow tree - consent POLICY The most relevant policies within the Adopted Local Plan are: D1 D2 HE1 HE5 Impact of Development upon locality; Design of Building; Protection of archaeological sites; Development affecting the setting of a listed building;

6 HE6 NE4 L2 Conservation areas; Conserving and Enhancing Landscape Character; Protection of public open space and existing facilities; National Policy PPS1 PPG 9 PPG 15 Delivering Sustainable Development Nature conservation; Planning and the historic environment; CONSULTATIONS West Bletchley Council object to the application stating that the development would be inappropriate to the site and that the applicant should go back to the original designs for a garden on this site. Design and Conservation Manager confirms that the proposals are hidden within the trees that form the parkland setting and as such the sculptures will be largely obscured from general views. It is considered that the proposed sculptors and woodland walk will add to the amenity of the site and improve the viability of the Bletchley Park complex as an attraction. It is also considered that the proposals will not harm the setting of the listed buildings or the character of the Conservation Area in fact the sculptures could be regarded as an enhancement as it encourages use of the park as well as the buildings. Recommendation therefore is that planning permission be granted. CONSIDERATIONS In terms of design and appearance the sculptures are metal strips formed into shapes and images. The overall appearance within the woodland setting would create a pleasing appearance to the eye and would encourage further use of this part of Bletchley Park. There is not considered to be any significant or adverse impact upon this part of Bletchley Park. With regards to the setting of the listed buildings and the conservation area, again the position of the sculptures generally hidden within the areas of trees will ensure that the impact is kept to a minimum. As such there will be no adverse affect upon the setting of the listed buildings or to the character or appearance of the conservation area. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that planning permission be granted.