Portus + Whitton were appointed by the National Trust to carry out a comprehensive survey and analysis of existing car, coach and pedestrian circulation, in order to produce a new design to facilitate intuitive routes and parking for drivers as well as clearer, shorter pedestrian routes.
Additional car parking facilities and routes were required to cater for growing visitor numbers and the main constraints included complex archaeology, drainage and arboriculture. These were dealt with the implementation of a soft engineered solution for the overspill parking, to ensure enhanced drainage to the grassed surfaces whilst minimising impacts on soil and archaeology. Clear thresholds at point of arrival were designed to complement the main heritage assets and to provide discrete signals to other retail opportunities associated with the visitor centre. The design also included the refurbishment of existing facilities and the relocation of the existing caravan park.
The implementation of a soft engineered solution for the overspill parking created enhanced drainage and robust reinforced grassed surfaces whilst minimising impacts on the visual appearance and archaeology.
Portus + Whitton provided a full service, from design to consultation and submission of a planning application, tender process and contract administration, including acting as CDM Principal Designer.
