Historic conservatory suggestions revealed

Suggestions for the use of Blackburn’s landmark Corporation Park Conservatory after its hoped for multi-million pound restoration include a wedding and events venue, a restaurant and creating a new plant and butterfly house.

They are among more than 1,500 responses to a consultation exercise on the future of the crumbling 125-year-old Grade-II listed glasshouse.

In March Blackburn with Darwen Council asked for borough residents views after allocating a total of £137,000 to fully assess the structure using a £68,400 ‘Repair to Heritage at Risk’ grant from Historic England.

Now the survey results are in.

The restoration of the conservatory is likely to cost millions of pounds, and although there are no guarantees that the council can secure the necessary investment the funding allocated so far gives it the opportunity to build up a case to bid for the grants needed – including from the National Lottery.

Buttress Architects and the council launched a survey to see how borough residents felt about the options for its potential use.

In total there were 1,565 responses with 95 per cent believng the conservatory is at least ‘fairly important’ to the wider character of Corporation Park and 89 per cent saying they would be more likely to visit the park if it was saved and brought back into use.

In terms of the conservatory’s future, a wide range of ideas were received.

They included creating a wedding/events/functions venue (143 suggestions) and finding it an education/community-focused use (234 suggestions),

Others included creating a food and beverage offer (ranging from small café/tea room to a larger scale restaurant) possibly combining this with restoring the botanical function (265 suggestions) and restoring the conservatory to its original role of housing exotic plants, but with a number of variations including a butterfly house, interpretive offer, and venue for wellbeing or exercise (395 suggestions).

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s environment boss Cllr Jim Smith said: “The number of responses shows that there’s huge community support behind restoring the conservatory.

“We’re really putting our all in to try and ensure that the building is brought back into use and it’s heartening to see that the public are happy to come along for the ride with us.

“Although there’s much more work to be done, we’re feeling very positive.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council plans to release three proposed designs for the revamped conservatory for a new public consultation with the results informing an ‘Options Appraisal’ for its future.

The Heritage Consultancy team from Buttress are also developing a Conservation Management Plan.

Then, following a Viability Assessment, developed in collaboration with Historic England, the ambition is to submit an expression of interest to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Karen Heverin, surveyor with Historic England said: “It’s clear that the Corporation Park Conservatory holds a truly special place in the hearts of local people.

“From nostalgic childhood memories to innovative suggestions for the building’s future, this historic Blackburn landmark means a lot to the community.”

Libby Butterworth, Architect at Buttress said: “The consultation has provided us with a wealth of ideas for the future of the much-loved conservatory at Corporation Park.”

Nicola Beswick, chair of the Corporation Park Supporters Group, said: “We are heartened to see the responses and the wonderful ideas about the Conservatory’s past, present and future.”