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Stowe School

Stowe School is an independent school sited in rural Buckinghamshire, a series of Grade 1 listed buildings set within a Registered Grade I Park and Garden. Whilst the National Trust owns much of the parkland and the gardens, a separate trust leases the buildings and remaining grounds to the school.

The challenge for the school and the Trusts is to preserve, restore and respect the historic significance and fabric of Stowe, whilst managing and meeting the needs of a modern school. The school’s long term masterplan is currently being reviewed to meet this challenge.

• Parking study and review of historic fabric referenced to guide appropriate design and management solutions

• Designs to be congruent with the Conservation Management Plan and the aspirations of the school

• Also to take account of the considerable number of historic trees

• Illman Young’s current involvement is to develop the landscape aspects of the various plans – including plaza spaces, building settings, parking and car parks

• Parking is a particular issue, particularly in front of the historic building facades.

• Areas of the site considered thus far include:

– Parking along the entrance avenue
– Setting for the refurbished Science Block
– Landscaping to the new Music School
– Landscaping to the Roxburgh Theatre
– Woodland car park