Corporation Park Conservatory one step closer to full restoration

A company has been appointed to undertake all necessary surveys on the popular park structure.

Back in March 2024 we told you that the Conservatory had been allocated almost £137,000 from the council and Historic England, through a ‘Repair to Heritage at Risk’. Now, a team led by local architectural and heritage consultancy business, Buttress, has been appointed to undertake surveys on the structure, following a successful tendering process which saw ten companies apply.

This is a crucial step to the restoration of the Conservatory which is likely to cost millions of pounds. Having the appropriate consultancy work and surveys completed will identify the full cost of the work, so that an informed bid can be submitted to obtain the funding required to bring the Conservatory back to its former glory.

Corporation Park on Preston New Road in Blackburn, is registered by Historic England as a park and garden of special historical interest. The Conservatory dates back to 1900.

To enable the required building survey work to be undertaken, the council has had to remove plants and trees from the Conservatory, including a plant called the cycad. An ancient gymnosperm, or cone bearing plant, it’s one of the rarest plants on earth. It was donated to the Conservatory over 100 years ago by Kew Gardens in London; and thanks to Myerscough College, it has a new temporary home where it is thriving in its new surroundings. 

Susanna Brandon, Curriculum Area Manager for Greenspace at Myerscough College said:

I was approached to ask if the horticulture team at Myerscough could temporarily home one of its most valuable specimens.

Cycads are described as ‘living fossils’ as they survived the ice age, dinosaurs and asteroids.

We have played our part in its historic journey, as it was rehomed in our educational glasshouse where we look forward to seeing it thrive under our care until it can be rehomed in the refurbished palm house.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students and staff at the college to have access to such a specimen.

We are delighted to be able to support Blackburn with Darwen Council with this and future horticultural projects once the Palm House is restored to its former glory.

The cycad will remain under the care of Myerscough’s horticulture staff and students until the restoration works at Corporation Park Conservatory are completed.

Cuttings from as many of the other plants and palms have been taken too, to ensure that they can be re-planted once the Conservatory is back up and running.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment and Communities said:

I’m so glad that the work on the Conservatory is pushing ahead. I know everyone is keen to see this project through, so I hope this reassures the community that we are fully committed to a transformational restoration of the Conservatory.

Thank you very much to Myerscough College for looking after our special cycad plant while we wait for the relevant works to be undertaken.

Historic England’s Karen Heverin said:

We’re pleased to see this vital step forward in the restoration journey of Corporation Park Conservatory. This historic structure is an important part of Blackburn’s heritage, and these detailed surveys will help pave the way for its thoughtful and comprehensive restoration. Historic England is committed to supporting the council in safeguarding this remarkable Victorian conservatory for future generations.

Nicola Beswick, Chair of Corporation Park Supporters Group said:

This is a culmination of many years work from Corporation Park Supporters Group and the council, and we are incredibly happy to see progress, especially as 2025 is the 125 year anniversary of the Conservatory first opening. 

This is the final step before a funding bid for the full restoration is applied for and we look forward to supporting that process.

Grant Prescott, Buttress Associate and Project Lead said: 

This project represents an exciting opportunity – both on a personal and professional level – for our team. Having grown up in Blackburn and visited Corporation Park many times over the years, I have a deep understanding of the significance of the Conservatory to the local community and we look forward to exploring options for bringing it back into use.

We have assembled a strong multi-disciplinary team with an excellent track record on similar projects, and we look forward to working closely with Blackburn with Darwen Council, Historic England and the community.

All surveys are due to be completed by May 2025.