Yorkshire firm helping monasteries win global status
A TWIN Anglo-saxon monastery created in the 7th century is in with a chance of gaining World Heritage status – with the help of a Yorkshire landscape design team.
The team at Leeds-based architecture and management company _space has completed a commission to draw up a plan to transform the settings of Wearmouth-Jarrow, at St Peter’s in Wearmouth, Sunderland, and St Paul’s in Jarrow South Tyneside.
The twin site – the two places of worship are seven miles apart – has been selected as the UK’s 2010 nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Leading a diverse team of experienced consultants, _space Environment beat off national competition to win the contract, which saw them develop a long-term landscape vision for the site, including a detailed streetscape design.
A key part of the team’s work included identifying improvements to the quality of public open space and links to the nearby rivers Tyne and Wear, as well as gateways from existing cultural destinations including Sunderland University Campus, the National Glass centre and Northumbrian medieval museum Bede’s World.
Managing director of _space Architecture, Andy Roberts, said: “We were delighted to have been chosen to work on a project of such historic importance, which has the potential to join other UK landmarks such as Fountain’s Abbey, the Tower of London and Stonehenge on the World Heritage Site list.
“Improving the presentation and immediate setting through a creative landscape vision that is sympathetic to both the site’s history and its future needs will play a key part in establishing its significance and attracting visitors from all over the world.
“We had a very talented and knowledgeable team of people working on the project and I am confident that our expertise will make a key contribution to the success of the site’s bid to rank among the world’s most outstanding landmarks.”
A partnership of organisations is working to secure the inscription of the Anglo-Saxon Wearmouth-Jarrow monastery as a World Heritage Site. The Wearmouth-Jarrow Partnership is chaired by the Bishop of Jarrow.
Funders for Wearmouth-Jarrow Partnership are Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside Council, English Heritage, Northern Rock Foundation, ONE North East and Tyne Wear Partnership.
The UK is allowed to nominate one site each year to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for inscription.
Rt Rev Mark Bryant is Bishop of Jarrow and chairs the Wearmouth-Jarrow Partnership, he said: “This is one of a number of important initiatives being undertaken by the Wearmouth-Jarrow Partners to seek to improve the site for local communities and visitors, and to give the nomination the best possible chance of success.”
The twin Anglo-Saxon monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, was created by Benedict Biscop in the 7th century. Wearmouth-Jarrow formed one of the most influential institutions in the western world, contributing to learning, creativity and culture. The dual monastery was home to the Venerable Bede, Europe’s greatest 8th century scholar.
The two churches of St Peter’s and St Paul’s remain active churches within the Diocese of Durham and their local communities. They continue to be visited by pilgrims and tourists from all over the world as well as providing a source of learning, inspiration and pride for local people.
Other World Heritage Sites regionally, nationally and internationally include Durham Castle and Cathedral, Stonehenge, the Grand Canyon, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and the Sydney Opera House.
_space, formerly Waring and Netts, has offices in Newcastle and Leeds.
The consultancy brings together architecture, landscape design, urban design and planning alongside construction management and building surveying.
