Bridewell Gardens, West Oxfordshire

Background

Bridewell Gardens is a mental health charity that offers social and therapeutic horticulture to adults living in Oxfordshire. The charity supports people experiencing mental health issues in their journey towards leading a more active life in the wider community.

Further to the consent obtained for a new office building in 2020, Bridewell Gardens reapproached Edgars for support in delivering a further replacement office building, an additional polytunnel and an activities barn to provide a sheltered space for group therapy sessions and events.

Challenge

A key challenge for the client, as a charitable organisation, was costs constraints. Furthermore, our previous work at the site deduced that the Victorian walled garden is a non-designated heritage asset. Heritage was therefore a key consideration to the proposals and providing a design that is both functional and aesthetically sympathetic to its surroundings was important. A challenge that arose through the application process was a request for a full surface drainage strategy to be submitted, a condition that would have both delayed the development and created a disproportionate financial burden for the client.

Solution

Through close collaboration with the client and architect, we were able to work well within budgetary constraints to generate a proposal that enhanced the facilities available to the gardeners at Bridewell, with a design that assimilates into and enhances its setting, representing negligible harm to the non-designated heritage asset.

Edgars’ existing positive relationship with the Local Planning Authority enabled effective negotiation with the Drainage Officer regarding the existing and proposed strategies for dealing with surface water drainage on site, leading to the removal of the requested drainage condition. This was a significant positive outcome for the client.

Result

By taking the time to understand the client’s needs and long-term aspirations for the site, and working closely with the client and architect, Edgars developed a sustainable proposal that keeps the walled garden within its optimum viable use and provides significant public benefits.

Planning permission was granted without significant delay or difficulty in September 2025.

The development will continue to support employment in this rural location, alongside the continued provision of crucial services which support social well-being and promote healthy, inclusive communities.

Conclusion

By combining our dedication to understanding our client’s goals and vision with our comprehensive planning expertise and ability to build positive relationships with key stakeholders, we were able to deliver a successful outcome.  Rachel Davies, Planner.

Client Testimonial

“Rachel and the Edgars team guided the process carefully and thoughtfully advising on the support needed from other professionals, and shaping the planning documents and process to be thorough but proportionate.”

Ruth Madder, Director at Bridewell Gardens