Issue 48 AUG 25 web - Flipbook - Page 129
This community asset is lovingly operated by Access
Community Trust. The regional charity manages the café,
boating lake, regular community events and the daily
stewardship of the attraction. Any profits raised from the
café help to maintain the upkeep of the site, alongside
supporting the local homeless, vulnerable people and
individuals struggling with their mental health.
Outcome and Measurement
• Meeting the Brief: The project successfully met its aims
and objectives, restoring historical features, enhancing
biodiversity, and improving public access and
engagement.
• Performance: The restored site is expected to perform
well in terms of visitor satisfaction, biodiversity enhancement, and sustainability. Ongoing monitoring will measure biodiversity success and community engagement
outcomes.
The Waterways also offer a range of volunteering
opportunities for those wanting to meet others and give
something back to the local community.
• Recognition: Since completion the site has been
removed from the Heritage at Risk Register and has been
independently recognised by British Association of Landscape Industries in 2019 as Best Regeneration Scheme
over £500k and also received a Special Award for Best
Community Involvement. Since opening the site has also
to receive Green Flag Awards for management & maintenance and has received a Green Heritage Site Accreditation as a result of the outcome, finish, use of materials
and reflection of original design features.
Universal Design Details
Overarching Aspiration
Aims and Objectives: The Waterways project creates an
attractive and inclusive environment that provides improved access for visitors with a range of abilities to enjoy
and better engage with this historic landscape. Objectives
included improvements to access, improving navigation,
wayfinding, and usability, and ensuring that new features
are designed in line with universal design principles.
Performance Parameters: As a grade II listed park, any
adaptations to the existing infrastructure needed to be
carefully weighed against heritage impacts as well as the
site and budget constraints. New facilities were designed
to be in accordance with accessibility standards outlined
in Building Regulations, and the Approved Documents
Part M & K provided the guiding principles for improvements to existing elements elsewhere on site.
Summary
The Waterways project demonstrates a comprehensive
approach to sustainability, integrating cultural, ecological,
and social dimensions.
The design response and outcomes are aligned with the
project's aspirations for long-term preservation and enhancement, ensuring that the site remains a cherished
and sustainable heritage landmark for future generations.
Below, Venetian Waterways looking north by Shaun Lawson
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