For Tarmac
New Public Car Park Installation
Scope
Design and construction of a 5,000 sqm public car park with sustainable drainage and landscape-sensitive detailing
Overview
Maydencroft was commissioned by a private client to deliver a new 5,000 sqm public car park at the heart of Panshanger Park, a Grade II listed landscape managed in partnership with English Heritage. Years in the planning, the project formed a key part of a wider programme to improve public access to this much-loved historic park while safeguarding its unique natural and cultural features.
The new facility replaces an underused storage site formerly associated with quarry operations and has been sensitively reimagined to serve the needs of a growing visitor base—particularly during Panshanger’s busy events calendar—while respecting the site's ecological and heritage constraints.
Scope of Works
The project began with extensive site clearance and ground preparation, transforming the former equipment storage area into a welcoming and robust visitor facility. Our in-house teams carried out the full resurfacing of the site using thousands of tonnes of stone to stabilise and build up the base layer. This provided a durable foundation suitable for long-term, high-volume use.
A key feature of the design was the installation of two sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). These were engineered to capture and treat surface water runoff, preventing pollutants such as oils and fuels from reaching the adjacent chalk stream network—an essential part of the local ecosystem. The systems also reduce localised flooding risk and contribute to the wider environmental resilience of the park.
The parking area was edged with a handcrafted chestnut knee rail fence, selected for its durability and compatibility with the surrounding rural landscape. The final surface layer—a permeable buff aggregate—was carefully chosen for both performance and appearance, blending into the historic park setting while supporting low-impact, sustainable use.
Outcome
The completed car park provides substantial new capacity for visitors to Panshanger Park, improving accessibility and supporting major public events throughout the year. Designed with sustainability and heritage in mind, it reflects Maydencroft’s expertise in delivering complex infrastructure within environmentally sensitive sites.
Further enhancement works are due to follow, including the addition of fully accessible visitor facilities, helping to ensure that Panshanger Park remains open, inclusive and welcoming to all.
