Historic Park Masterplan – Gnoll Estate Country Park
Client: Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Planning Solutions Consulting was commissioned to explore opportunities to develop Gnoll Estate Country Park to increase revenue, increase its appeal as a visitor attraction, and develop the site as a base for visitors to explore the wider area. Gnoll Estate Country Park is located on the edge of the market town of Neath. The country park comprises approximately 219 acres of parkland and several Grade 2 listed historic structures within its landscape. Gnoll Estate is a popular country park which has strong ties to the local community.
As part of a former country estate, the landscape is attractive, with distinct zones including woodland, an 18th-century landscaped parkland, lakes, and cascades. The topography is varied, rising from 36m to over 120m above sea level, presenting challenges and opportunities for developing the visitor experience. The parkland is Grade II* listed on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens for its historic significance.
The visitor experience of Gnoll Estate Country Park includes:
- A visitor centre with café, public toilets and meeting facilities
- A nine-hole pitch and putt golf course (incorporating foot golf)
- Two children’s playgrounds (traditional and adventure playground)
- Three large attractive ponds (two stocked for fishing)
- Extensive walks and trails
- Moss House Reservoir
- Ruins of the former Gnoll House and Cellars
- A range of different landscapes including formal cascades
- A series of events staged throughout the year, including fun fair rides, which are run by an external partner
Our work produced a masterplan for this historic parkland, based on a review of the site and the current visitor experience, a series of workshops with Officers, Members, staff, and interested parties, and a module of primary research (which generated over 800 responses) and a detailed market assessment. The masterplan included a development action plan setting out key development opportunities under key categories, alongside the rationale, impact on the visitor experience, financial impact, staff resource implications, and priority of each action. We also produced a supporting concept plan to show how the actions could form part of a cohesive and holistic masterplan for the country park operation and offer. Lately we worked with the Council to secure funding from the Levelling Up Fund, which helped to secure £17m for two projects in the county borough, including Gnoll Estate Country Park.
Find out more about Gnoll Estate Country Park here and other projects we have worked on at parks and country parks.
How can we help?
Every historic park and country estate has its own story, character, and set of challenges, from managing listed structures and protected landscapes to balancing visitor growth and conservation. At Gnoll Estate Country Park, that meant blending heritage, recreation, and community needs into a single deliverable masterplan, and supporting the council to secure funding.
If you’re exploring a masterplan, feasibility study, or funding strategy for a historic park, heritage site, or visitor attraction, we would be glad to talk it through. Please call Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk