Dunham Estate Future Project

What is the Dunham Estate Future Project?

The Dunham Estate Future Project is looking at the future of the wider estate, beyond Dunham Massey’s walled parkland. The project aims to increase opportunities for communities and people to enjoy green spaces in the area. Building on the work that has already taken place over the past few years, we also aim to improve provision for nature and wildlife across the estate.

Why is it needed?

Green spaces are becoming fewer and fewer, and with two major urban infrastructure projects being planned close to the boundary of the Dunham estate, it is important that we are able to increase opportunities for our communities to get close to nature. The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework will see up to 6,000 new homes built in New Carrington, and the proposed HS2 project will be coming within 150m of the estate boundary. The Dunham Estate Future project will allow us to maintain productive farmland and a rural feel in the wider estate while allowing nature and wildlife to thrive.

Visitor numbers to Dunham Massey are increasing year on year and creating more opportunities for people to enjoy the wider estate will mean that more people will be able to get close to nature and green spaces. From dog walkers to cyclists, and horse riders to families, our aims are to provide something for everyone beyond the  walls and main visitor hub at Dunham Massey. Extending the visitor experience to the wider estate will also help us to conserve nature in our parkland.

What we've done so far...

Access to green spaces is vitally important and we want to ensure that the Dunham Estate serves a purpose to the community that it sits within. To do this we need to understand our community's needs, talk about their ideas and any potential concerns.

In 2019 we've held seven drop in sessions in various locations in and around Dunham, presented to over 40 groups and organisations across the north west and have engaged with over 450 people.

We are now working with landscape architects Planit:IE to organise and prioritise the feedback from the presentations and drop in sessions, which will help us to understand what this will mean for the future of Dunham Massey.

In addition to this we have a Ranger working within the project to help us map our nature and wildlife ambitions across the whole of the estate, ensuring Dunham achieves the wildlife goals set out in the national 25 year plan for nature.

What's next for the project?

2020 will see us carrying on the conversation with the communities we sit within to help us develop these ideas. Keep an eye out for any future opportunities to get involved with workshops and sessions. Further details will be posted on this webpage and Dunham's social media channels.

If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to contact Kathryn Heaton, Project Manager via email on Kathryn.Heaton@nationaltrust.org.uk