Landscape record 11034 - Grosvenor Park, Chester

<1> Chester Archaeology, 1995, Heritage Assessment of Dee House and Environs, Chester., R2685 (Client Report). SCH4794.

Grosvenor Park was established in 1867 in an area given to the city by Richard, second Marquis of Westminster, as a public open space. At the time the city had few open spaces, and the donation of such areas was a common feature of nineteenth century philanthropy. Grosvenor Park Lodge, at the eastern entrance to the park, is a John Douglas building. John Douglas is also responsible for Billy Hobby's well, an octagonal sandstone structure.

Prior to this the park had been agricultural land, although Braun's map of c1580 and Speed's map of 1610 show that the development along its northern edge, on the Vicar's Land, Union St. and the Headlands, had occurred by the sixteenth century. Development in this area seems to have never been intensive. A number of medieval architectural fragments are displayed in the Park, including the Shipgate (CHER 10384), a doorway from St Michael's church (CHER 10076/3) and an arch from St Mary's Priory (CHER 10319/9).

<2> L - P Archaeology, 2011, Archaeological Watching Brief Report: Grosvenor Park Chester, R3102 (Client Report). SCH5489.

A Roman aqueduct, from Boughton, also run's through the park, although it's precise course is not known. During the excavation of several geotechnical test pits throughout the park in 2011 identified deposits relating to the construction of the park, producing eighteenth to nineteenth century finds.

<3> English Heritage, 2004, The Environs of Chester Amphitheatre: Preliminary Building Assessments, R3210 (Client Report). SCH6526.

<4> URS/Scott Wilson (Environmental and Natural Resources), 2011, Grosvenor Park Restoration: PPS5 Heritage Statement, R4152 (Client Report). SCH8447.

Heritage assessment and condition survey produced in August 2011 for Grosvenor Park, Chester, a grade II listed park and garden. It also contains one Grade II listed building, Grosvenor Park Lodge, and also a number of Grade II listed structures, including the canopy of Billy Hobby's Well; the main gates of the park, together with other gate piers and park walls; the Old Shipgate; arch from St Mary's Priory; drinking fountain; and west doorway from old St Michael's Church. The location of the park within the Chester City Centre Conservation Area, together with the value of the park and its listed features, warrants the requirement of a Planning Policy Statement 5 to support the planning proposal for restorative and refurbishment works. The park is mostly complete in terms of its original extent and basic designed layout, but its built fabric, features and hard and soft landscape infrastructure are in need of refurbishment. The scheme will restore footpath infrastructure and listed features within the park will be repaired in a sensitive manner using appropriate materials.