Knowle: Victorian grounds: Devon Gardens Trust

The Devon Gardens Trust has been instrumental in campaigning for the integrity of the grounds and gardens at Knowle.



The Knowle gardens are on the Devon Local Register:

Name: The Knowle

Local Authority District: East Devon

Grid ref: SY 121 879

Brief Description:  The Knowle was once one of the most famous houses in Sidmouth.  The once renowned cottage orne built in 1810 under the personal supervision of LordL.E. Despenser and subsequently rented to the Marquis of Bute.  It wasowned by the collector and connoisseur T.L. Fish from 1836 to 1861 who added picturesque improvements.  In 1850  ‘the delightful marine villa is an elegant and tasteful residence surrounded by about 11 acres of ground, divided into lawns, gardens, and conservatories, containing rare and choice specimens of botany, as well as many fine specimens of foreign birds and animals.’But later rebuilding has not left any of the early features; the office building is rather nondescript and the council car parks are an intrusion intothe landscape.  The original Lodge still marks the entrance to The Knowle and some garden structures - the Gothic arch, the footings of the grotto and the flint Gothic summer house survive in the gardens of the C20 houses in Knowle Drive. A substantial area of the original parkland remains, containing some magnificent trees particular specimens of cedar, Wellingtonia and Monterey pine.  These mature trees are covered by a TPO made in 1956 by Sidmouth Urban  District Council, which gives protection to the most important trees on the site. The parkland of The Knowle forms part of the attractive approach to Sidmouth, providing an important contribution to the overall historic character and landscape of the town. In this respect the development proposed would have a significant detrimental effect upon the setting of the conservation area and views into and out of it.  

Devon Local Register | Devon Gardens Trust

This is from its casework pages, including a link to the DGT's letter of objection to the planning application:

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November 2012

Authority:  East Devon District Council
Application reference:  12/1847/MOUT - access public site here.
Application:  Outline planning application proposing the demolition of existing buildings (retention of building B), residential development of up to 50no dwellings, 60no bed graduated care home (Class C2 use) and access (All matters reserved except access) Council Offices, The Knowle, Sidmouth, EX10 8HL.

Download letter from Conservation Officer here.

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Historic parkland at The Knowle, Sidmouth.

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Casework | Devon Gardens Trust

See also: www.eastdevon.gov.uk/1652-devongardenstrustjohnclark.pdf
East Devon Proposed Local Plan Consultation 2012

The Devon Gardens Trust

This year the Devon Gardens Trust  are celebrating 25 years of promoting awareness of Devon’s historic designed landscapes and actively seeking to conserve and enhance the gardens of the county.

www.devongardenstrust.org.uk.

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