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Parham is a grade II* registered park and a Site of Special Scientific
Interest in West Sussex within the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. ACTA was commissioned by Parham Estate to prepare an historic
park restoration plan which was the basis for a successful application
for grant aid under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
The scope of work included;
analysis
of topography, soils, access and current landuse
assessment
of nature conservation interest
analysis
of historical development
assessment
of significance of archaeological and historic landscape features
analysis
of restoration and management issues
restoration
proposals.
The proposals included arable reversion of farmland on the edge of the
park, restoration of acid mires and long-term replacements for veteran
trees.
Other conservation and management plans:
Alexandra Park
Dunorlan Park
St. Leonards
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One
of the main characteristics of the site is an open landscape with
scattered veteran trees.
This aspect of the site is important habitat for the rare Field
Cricket
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ACTA’s research
showed that the church and manor house are the survivor of two separate
manorial centres
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Parham is of major
importance for its veteran trees and the lichens and insects that
they support
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The
sixteenth-century Parham House lies at the centre of a complex landscape
where planting over several centuries has used the dramatic natural
landforms to create dramatic vies and vistas against the backdrop
of the South Downs
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