Historic parks and gardens

Historic England has a register of over 1,600 historic parks and gardens in England. The register celebrates designed landscapes of note and encourages appropriate protection.

Search for historic parks and gardens on our planning heritage map

There are four registered parks and gardens in Newark and Sherwood.
Newark Castle Gardens (Grade II)
Rufford Abbey (Grade II)
Thoresby Park (Grade I)
Thurgarton Hundred Workhouse – The National Trust (Grade II*)

Planning permission in registered parks and gardens

Statutory planning protection does not apply to registered parks and gardens, other than for listed buildings and conservation areas within those sites. A strong presumption in favour of conservation is nonetheless given in both national and local planning policies.

If a request for planning permission is submitted within these spaces, we will consider the impact on the landscapes' special character. 

We must also consult:

• Historic England – on development proposals likely to affect a Grade I or II* registered park and garden
• The Gardens Trust – for proposals affecting any registered park and garden

Unregistered parks and gardens

Whilst a small number of the district’s historic landscapes are on the national register (and therefore receive protection in the planning system), the vast majority of sites are not registered. 

It’s down to us as the local planning authority to identify these landscapes, examining their significance in order to better inform planning decision-making.

Landscapes shaped by human activity which are not on the national register, but are identified locally as having a degree of significance because of their heritage interest, are likely to be regarded as non-designated heritage assets. These identified landscapes merit consideration in planning decisions.

The majority of the unregistered parks and gardens in the district are identified on the Nottinghamshire historic environment record (HER) – Nottinghamshire County Council.

How unregistered sites are identified

The identification of new unregistered parks and gardens is carried out using the definition informed by Historic England’s selection guidance for landscapes, battlefields and wrecks.

Further details on how we go about identifying non-designated heritage assets can be found on our local heritage assets page. 

A specific criteria for unregistered parks and gardens is currently being drafted and will appear on the consultation page once complete.