The first step towards registration is to determine whether the site is a strong enough candidate to merit further consideration. This usually requires a desk-top study of published and archival sources, historic and modern maps and air photographs, to uncover details about the site's past and to discover what might make it special in terms of its historic interest.
Visiting the site
If the initial investigation suggests that the park or garden is of a sufficiently high level of historic interest, we will contact the main owner(s) to request a site visit. Although English Heritage is not obliged to visit a site prior to its inclusion in the 'Register', a visit is not only of help in judging the quality of the landscape, but also most importantly, it can provide an opportunity to meet the owner(s) and/or managers of the site.
Should it not prove possible to arrange a site visit, then the site will usually be viewed, if necessary and so far as is possible, from public vantage points and rights of way.
Next steps
Further research to fill in any vital gaps in our knowledge follows a site visit, then an initial report is compiled for consultation with the owner, local planning authority, the Garden History Society and the applicant. They will be invited to respond within 21 days on the facts we have laid out. All the information and representations will then be considered and English Heritage will produce a final recommendation report.
Where a park or garden is found to be of sufficient historic interest to merit registration, site details are added to the national 'Register' database, and the site is deemed to be registered. A formal letter of notification is sent out to the applicant and all known owners and occupiers of the site.
The notification letter is accompanied by a 'Register' text describing the site and a site boundary map. The local planning authorities at district, unitary, and county levels (as relevant) are also notified at this point, and are sent copies of the text and map.
Information on new additions to the 'Register' is sent regularly to, amongst others, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions; the Garden History Society and the relevant County Gardens Trust.
