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27
Oct 2023
Walls in Studley Royal lake risk collapse without repair
Work is needed to repair two walls in the lake at Studley Royal near Ripon that are at risk collapsing into the water.
Studley Royal is a water garden and has pools, canals and cascades fed from the River Skell.
The National Trust, which owns the site, has submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to repair walls that form part of the weir on the north-east side of the lake. They would be fixed with re-used stone to maintain the historic appearance.
The park was laid out in the 18th century by John Aislabie and was extended later by his son to encompass the medieval Fountains Abbey ruin and other elements of the surrounding landscape.
The plans have been backed by Historic England but it said the works must be done in an “appropriately sensitive manner".
Planning documents submitted by the National Trust said:
One of the damaged walls.
In August, the National Trust revealed £3.5 million plans to improve the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including offering revamped visitor facilities.
The plan called Studley Revealed focuses on the water garden area of the estate and the canal gates area. It will remake landscape features that were at the heart of the original 18th century garden design.
The plans would also see the creation of new welcome and visitor facilities. They would include accessible toilets, a larger café and a space to bring the story of the Water Garden alive.
Justin Scully, general manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, said:
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