The Park Estate

The subterranean tunnel (known as The Park Tunnel) that extends from The Park Estate to the city centre stretch of Derby Road (A610).

The Park Estate is a private residential housing estate to the west of Nottingham city centre, England. It was built on the former deer park of Nottingham Castle. Its construction was controversial as many saw the land as public land.

The Park estate is noted for its Victorian architecture, although many of the houses have been altered, extended or converted into flats. The estate uses gas street lighting; believed to be one of the largest networks in Europe.

History

St. Mary's Vicarage, the first domestic residence built in the Park Estate

The first domestic building in the park was built in 1809. Built opposite the castle gatehouse, the building served as the vicarage to St. Mary's Church.

Despite much opposition from locals, who regarded the area as public land, major development began in the 1820s under the 4th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne. Development continued under the 5th Duke, who appointed architect Thomas Chambers Hine to design many of the houses.

In 1938, the 8th Duke sold The Park to Oxford University. In 1986 negotiations between The Park Residents Association and Oxford University Chest resulted in the ownership of the Estate being transferred to the newly formed Company: The Nottingham Park Estate Limited.

Architecture

View of 39 Newcastle Drive from Tattersall Drive. Built in 1886 by local architect Fothergill Watson.

Planning constraints

The Park is a conservation area with many of the buildings being listed. As such, any planning submissions are subject to detailed planning regulations. The Park Estate is lit by automated gas lights set in lighting poles, resembling Victorian gas street lights.

Residential Estate

Access

Access to the estate for vehicles is restricted to three main entrances - North Road (off Derby Road), Lenton Road (next to castle) and Peveril Drive (off Castle Boulevard) where a key card is required to operate the rising bollards. There are also two minor entrances - Barrack Lane (off Derby Road) and Newcastle Drive/Park Row (off The Ropewalk)- that provide access to selected parts of the estate (with a somewhat circuitous route to the rest of the estate), although Barrack Lane itself does not fall within The Park.

There are several pedestrian/cycle entrances which are mostly gated, of which two are regularly locked at night. These are: Lenton Road (on to Park Road, Lenton); Lenton Road (next to Rock Drive: a steep walkway to Castle Boulevard); Fish Pond Drive (on to Castle Boulevard); Newcastle Drive (off Canning Circus) and The Park Tunnel which runs from Tunnel Road to Derby Road (near Budgens store) with a staircase halfway along to Upper College Street. There is a gated walkway from Pelham Crescent to Harlaxton Drive, Lenton which is currently locked from 11pm to 5am.

As of September 2009 the pedestrian gate between Lenton Road & Park Road, Lenton has been locked between the hours of 11pm and 5am. This is an attempt to reduce late night noise and anti-social behaviour taking place along Lenton Road which links student-dominated Lenton to the city centre.

A public local inquiry to consider the legal status of Lenton Road and whether it should be added to the Definitive Map was held at Loxley House, Nottingham during 23–25 July 2013.[1] The Planning Inspector found in favour of the council.

Maintenance Arrangements

The Park is a private estate, managed by Nottingham Park Estate Ltd, a company governed by Act of Parliament.[2]

Living on the estate incurs both council tax and a local charge ('Park Rates'). The park rates cover maintenance of roads, pavements, the gas light network, the trees and the public green spaces. Residents previously received a reduced council tax bill due to these rates covering services which would usually provided by the council. However, the Park Estate rate is now paid in addition to the full council tax rate.

Residents' Association

The Nottingham Park Residents' Association (NPRA) holds regular talks and hosts a number of events using the two green spaces in the middle of the estate. They also produce a twice yearly magazine which is delivered, free of charge, to every Park household.

In 2011 the NPRA hosted a street party on the day of the Royal Wedding, and, in 2012, a Diamond Jubilee Street Party. Other events include a picnic for young children based on the Teddy Bear picnic song, a Carol Service and Boule tournament. Every two years in June a number of the gardens are open to the public, with the proceeds being donated to local charities.

Neighbouring areas

References

  1. ↑ Norton, Tom (26 July 2013). "Residents waiting for Park verdict after hearing ends". Nottingham Evening Post. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  2. ↑ The Nottingham Park Estate Act, 1990

Bibliography

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Coordinates: 52°57′04″N 1°09′53″W / 52.95111°N 1.16472°W / 52.95111; -1.16472

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