In 2017, Cheltenham Borough Council and Friends of Pittville commissioned Illman Young Landscape Design to advise on improving the landscape between the Upper Lake and Pittville Pump Room. Here are updates on the work done in the area, which has been broken down into the following zones:
- The Rock Garden
The west end of the rockery has been cleared, missing rocks replaced and planted out with a mixture of alpines, bulbs, herbaceous plants and shrubs. It is being maintained by the FOP green space volunteers.
The east end of the rockery has been cleared, rocks replaced and partially planted out with a similar mix of plants to the west end. Further planting will take place in 2024 and continue to be maintained by the FoP green space volunteers. - The Upper Lake shrubberies on the south bank
The east shrubbery area has been partially cleared and some inappropriate trees removed, the shrubs were pruned to give views of the lake but need continuing maintenance. The area is fenced off with railings to preserve it for wildlife. The lake edge was protected and planted with aquatic plants as part of the Cheltenham Borough Council Urban Greening Project. Work has not started on the west end of the shrubbery. - The Pump Room approaches and frontage.
The initial part of the project, to reinstate the stone steps to the south of the apron in front of the Pump has now been completed. This was done in compliance with listed building consent and full planning permission. A detailed page on the background and stages of this reinstatement is now available in the main menu . The finished work is illustrated in this photo taken at the opening ceremony in November 2023. The design of and planning permission, together with listed building consent, have been obtained for a further project working on the replacement of the entry gates to the park at the end of East and West Approach Drives. A timescale and the serious work on raising funds for these gates is yet to start. - The Eastern Border
The work proposed on this border was relatively minor and some of that work is being carried out by the FoP green space volunteers as part of the ongoing maintenance they carry out during the regular working parties.
Work on the projects above is funded and carried out partly by Cheltenham Borough Council and their contractors and partly by the FoP and their green space volunteers . To read the Illman Young Report click here