Maydencroft win contract at Panshanger Park

Tarmac appoint landscape management company to assist in day-to-day running of the park

TARMAC have appointed Maydencroft landscape management company to assist in the running of Hertfordshire’s famous Panshanger Park. A specialist team will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the park, providing support to both Tarmac and Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

Maydencroft Ltd, based on a working farm near Hitchin, with a regional office in Windsor, are one of the UK market leaders in a range of environmental services. Their consultants lead specialist teams managing and administering forestry, farmland, rivers, wetlands, historic landscapes and gardens. The company also manages new developments, which includes the creation of nature reserves and urban landscaping projects.

Owned by the Cowper family from the late 17th century to the early 20th century, the Panshanger Estate was shaped around the Mimram Valley. Both Humphry Repton and Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown advised in its creation. It is registered as a Grade II park and garden by Historic England.

Having completed sand and gravel extraction at the site, Tarmac are restoring the park as a public amenity. Much of the site has already been restored to arable farming and a range of valuable wildlife habitats, including a new section of chalk river and a number of lakes.

The park, which was opened to the public in 2014, is made up of a mosaic of habitats including woodlands, wetlands, grasslands and reed beds with a variety of wildlife. During the spring and summer months, a multitude of wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies and birds brings it to life. Large numbers of ducks migrate there from the north to spend the winter on the lakes, so Panshanger is a popular place to visit throughout the year.

Maydencroft have assigned a dedicated team, including two rangers and an estates manager, to support Tarmac and the Trust. The company’s multidisciplinary team will deliver projects that focus on heritage, public amenity and biodiversity.

Tom Williams, managing director of Maydencroft, said: ‘Now that mineral extraction is complete at Panshanger Park and Tarmac are progressing with the final restoration works, we’ll bring our expertise and knowledge to this important final phase of the transition from an operational site into a country park and nature reserve.’

Alan Everard, head of estates and geology at Tarmac, said: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Maydencroft to Panshanger Park. Their experience managing historic landscapes makes them the ideal company for this role. I am sure that their capability, knowledge and dedication will be a great asset to the park.’

Tom Williams added: ‘We’re really excited about looking after this remarkable park situated between Welwyn Garden City and Hertford. The 1,000-acre site consists of open parkland, woodland, lakes and the river Mimram, as well as the remains of the manor house and orangery. I’m particularly excited about seeing the park grazed by our majestic English Longhorns.’