ONLINE “Everything in balance”: Planning and its role in protecting historic gardens, by Andrew Croft, Director, CBA Studios

This is an online lecture that will be available to watch on Zoom.

The full lecture title is “Everything in balance”: Planning and its role in protecting historic gardens, with particular reference to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Heritage Site by Andrew Croft, Director, CBA Studios, landscape, environmental and heritage practice.

An overview of how the English planning system treats historic designed landscapes in terms of development within and around them. Exploring how change can harm or affect designed landscapes, particularly in terms of change around a site, and how the balance between potential harm and potential benefit is addressed in the planning system. This will highlight key considerations for people looking to influence development in and around historic gardens, supporting individuals and groups who wish to encourage appropriate consideration of designed landscapes by developers and local planning authorities.  Will draw on a range of case studies, but with a particular focus on recent developments and proposals around Kew Gardens.

Andrew is consultant with extensive experience working on high profile conservation, destination and development projects. He has served as an expert witness at a number of planning inquiries relating to development around heritage sites, including parks and gardens. He has particular expertise in delivering complex projects for highly sensitive and significant places including many World Heritage Sites in the UK and internationally.

Image - Pagoda at Kew, Andrew Croft