Work starts on restoration of Priory Park
News release about the appointment of contractors for the restoration of Priory Park, Reigate and commencement of works.
Work has now started on the Priory Park restoration project. Visitors to the park will notice fencing around the lake as preparations are made for dredging.
"Crispin & Borst will help us to bring the ambitious ideas for the improvement of Priory Park into reality.” (Cllr Tom Stoddart, Executive Member for Leisure & Healthy Living)
The main contract for the restoration work has been awarded to Crispin & Borst Limited, after the Executive agreed their appointment last night (Thursday 18 January 2007).
The company, which has a successful track record, is expected to start to restore the park to its 18th and 19th Century former glory next month.
Among Crispin & Borst’s recently completed projects are the restoration of Wardown Park in Luton and the building of the Gorilla Kingdom at London Zoo.
Bringing ideas to life
At Priory Park, Crispin & Borst will be responsible for restoring the formal gardens around the Priory building
reinstating tree lined avenues to recreate the 18th century landscape
improving the lake; constructing a nautical-themed children’s play area and
a new teenage area with skateboard and basketball facilities.
They will also build the new glass pavilion, designed by internationally renowned French architect Dominique Perrault, which will provide a café, toilets and information space for the park.
An artist's impression of how the park will look
Cllr Tom Stoddart, Executive Member for Leisure and Healthy Living, said: “We are delighted to be able to secure the services of such an experienced construction company as Crispin & Borst.
"Their work will help us to bring the ambitious ideas for the improvement of Priory Park into reality for the benefit of all users of the park and the wider community.”
Crispin & Borst Limited have been undertaking building contracts in London and the South East since the 1930’s, including new builds, refurbishment, restoration, interior fit-outs and property maintenance.
Among the successful building restoration projects they have completed are Chelsea Old Town Hall; Somerset House, London; Greenwich Heritage Centre; Historic Dockyard, Chatham; Spring Cottage, Clivedon; Tilbury Fort, Essex and Tonbridge Castle in Kent.
Four other companies tendered for the Priory Park contract, worth almost £5m. A more detailed programme of works for the different stages of the project will be drawn up by the contractors over the next few weeks.
Archaeological investigations
In the meantime Surrey County Council’s Archaeology Unit will be carrying out further archaeological investigations before the contractors start on site.
Two trenches will be excavated across the line of the 18th century drive (the Causeway), which now lies underground, to find out how much of it remains before trees are planted along the line of the old drive as part of the restoration project.
Other trenches will be dug in the area where a new Lime arbour will be planted and any finds made by the archaeologists in the trenches will be carefully documented and photographed.
The trenches will all be opened up by machine under archaeological supervision and as soon as any archaeological deposits are suspected, digging will continue by hand.
The trench investigations form part of a broader programme of archaeological monitoring and investigation work that will take place in the Park throughout the restoration project.
The Priory Park restoration project has received £4.2m backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund and commercial support from businesses Legal & General, Parador Properties, Canon (UK) Ltd, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Fidelity International and Charles Church.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
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