Following the publication of the ‘mansion report’ in 2020, the Gardens Trust wrote to the Director-General of the National Trust expressing alarm at the failure of the report to recognize the historic significance of gardens and landscapes in the care of the Trust.

The Gardens Trust told its members: ‘Those interested in our historic landscapes will have been reading with grave concern the recent comment and analysis in the media following the leak of a draft National Trust paper, ‘Towards a 10-year Vision for Places and Experiences’. The exposure of this apparent new direction for the National Trust has rung alarm bells through the heritage sector. The glaring lack of reference to conservation as a guiding principle and clear suggestion that landscapes should be free from ‘existing styles and expectations’ has worrying connotations for future protection.’

The Gardens Trust has been expressing concerns about the National Trust’s management of its park and gardens for some time. ‘In recent years, the GT has, however, found it necessary to object strongly to proposed development within these landscapes where it is apparent that it is designed principally to extend visitor attraction while detrimental to the aesthetic and cultural impact and reading of the historic designed landscape. One particular example has been the objection to the proposed installation of cycle trails, introducing routes across central views in the numerous parklands affected. When diverted to existing historic tracks originally designed to enable enjoyment of the designed landscape some of these trails went ahead with minimum impact, others were withdrawn when the detrimental impact on the general and desired enjoyment of these landscapes was acknowledged, but we continue to monitor alternative proposals.’

The siting of visitor facilities at Fountains Abbey has been a particular concern. ‘Another example, live before the Covid crisis, involves discussions with the NT regarding the World Heritage Site of Stdley Royal Park inclusing Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire, a Grade I landscape, where an additional development and renovation/enlargement of the Café Building & Lodge facilities at Canal Gates is proposed.  While we agree that better interpretation at Studley Royal would be an improvement, in the GT’s opinion the new building/development of additional visitor facilities at the location proposed would be contrary to the original Aislabie vision and represents a very unwelcome addition, harmful to the significance of this World Heritage Site affecting adversely one of the great set-piece historic garden views in the UK.  ICOMOS-UK are also engaged in this debate. There are numerous other examples of the proposed inappropriate siting of visitor infrastructure, play areas and car parks.’