Case Study - Roberts Park, Bradford

Programme: Parks for People
Applicant: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Grant awarded: £3,206,000
Project length: 18 months

Roberts Park Bradford - printable (MS Word, 3.94MB)

Summary

Roberts Park is a Grade II-registered Victorian park located within the Saltaire World Heritage Site. The park is an integral element of the model village that was created by Sir Titus Salt for his mill workers in the mid to late 19th century.

The work involved restoring the Grade II-registered historic landscape and park infrastructure, replacing lost features and increasing physical and intellectual use of the site; and encouraging increased numbers of visitors, particularly from under represented groups.

Read about the park on the Bradford Parks and Landscape Service website.

The aims of the project

Improvements to the three Grade II-listed shelters, pavilion, East Park lodge and the statue of Sir Titus Salt.
Appointment of a new park manager to oversee activities in the park. Introducing a park manager’s office in the old park lodge.
Reinstatement of a bandstand to the original proportions and in its original location, but with a contemporary design twist.
Improvement work to footpaths, boundary and internal walls, steps and railings.
Recreation of the historic park planting, including arboricultural work.
Improvements to the riverbank to open up views to the adjoining river and Salts Mill.
Provision of park furniture based on the original Victorian design and new signage.
Provision of a new play area and skate-park.
Improved interpretation around the park.

Benefits for heritage

Conservation and repair of all the listed structures within the park, park furniture, footpaths, steps and overgrown ornamental planting.
All park structures brought back into full use and made fully accessible.
Reinstatement of the park railings along the north boundary.

Benefits for people

Better facilities in the park, including light refreshments for visitors at the Pavilion in a café run by the local Friends group, space for learning and exhibitions, visitor toilets in the Lodge, office space for Parks staff and a canteen for gardening staff.
Opportunities for volunteering. Volunteers conduct guided walks; carry out riverside clearance; manage a community garden; promote events in the park; conduct visitor assessments; undertake assessments of habitats and species; make and install bird, bat and insect nesting boxes; set up a Roberts Park band, and support a network of individuals to address issues of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the park.
Greater numbers of park visitors, particularly from previously under represented groups.

Lessons learnt

Use of quality designers, contractors and materials has resulted in the very high standard of workmanship on show in the park.
On site supervision and good contractor liaison has resulted in a highly motivated workforce that has taken ownership of the project.
Communication within the core delivery group has produced a strong working relationship between client, contractor and project manager.
Involvement of community groups from an early stage has resulted in local residents feeling part of the contract and the park restoration.

Long term benefits

Saving the park for the residents and wider audience.
Enhancing the village of Saltaire and raising the value of the area.
Improving the image of Bradford and the Saltaire Village.
Provides a catalyst for the development of wider strategies around the park and village. Regeneration of the park has lead to investment at adjoining sites.

The budget

Main Project Costs	£	Funding	£
Restoration of the Park Infrastructure	2,834,971	HLF	3,206,000
Tier Two Risks and Contingencies	874,867	CBMDC	1,103,607
Direct Orders	171,134	Other Funding	100,000
Professional fees	410,430
Additional Costs CBMDC	118,205
Total Cost	4,409,607	Total Funding	4,409,607

People at the re-opening of Roberts park

People at the re-opening of the park

Sector

Land and Biodiversity

Activity

Conservation