COV - London Road Cemetery - Project Manager Appointment - AWARD

Coventry City Council have successfully secured a delivery grant of ?1,692,000 from The Heritage Lottery Fund which include capital works valued at ?1,387,970 for the restoration project at London Road Cemetery (LRC).

To manage the delivery of this scheme the Council are required to appoint an external qualified consultant to act in the capacity as Project Manager - suitable related qualifications, accreditations, experience in the management of Heritage Lottery Funds Parks for People projects, to include cemetery, conservation, heritage buildings and landscaping restoration related projects is desirable.

The proposal is to project manage the delivery of the restoration of the Grade 1 Listed Joseph Paxton designed Arboretum Cemetery which is one of the top 5 Historic Cemeteries in the UK, as a visitor attraction, park for local people and education resource.

The London Road Cemetery project will address the following needs:

To restore the Grade I listed heritage of national significance, which is not yet 'beyond repair'.

To reinstate Paxton's original design, while this is still achievable, so that the LRC can function as a 'city park', as Paxton originally intended. Restoration includes work to the Promenade, a key feature of Paxton's early Victorian design.

To find new uses for the Anglican Chapel, now that the cemetery is only rarely used for burials.

To improve security by introducing new uses and by improvements to boundary security.

To improve a local amenity in an area which rates low on the deprivation indices for environmental quality.

To increase visitor numbers, both to the site and to Coventry, by restoring one of the country's top arboretum cemeteries and by linking in with other heritage attractions.

To provide opportunities for training in traditional skills, working with the local college and building contractors.

To provide visitor facilities on site which will enable its use by a much wider range of groups and for a greater variety of uses than is possible at present.

To make a step change in education and understanding of the significance of the site with a much greater number and range of tours and information, in different formats, which will educate, inform and also entertain.

To strengthen the Friends of London Road Cemetery, so that it can take on a greater role in managing and maintaining LRC, including fund raising, volunteer recruitment, training and use of social media.

To improve maintenance, both of the grounds and buildings, by increased volunteering and by raising sufficient revenue to maintain buildings.

The target for completion of the capital works is October 2020.

The successful candidate will oversee the detailed design and delivery of the works, working alongside the specialist design team. They will be required to undertake the necessary work to meet the contractual obligations the Council has with Heritage Lottery Fund,...