Windsor Estate
“In order to continue to meet the high expectations of our 1,000 members and their guests, we recently carried out several improvements, including building a new clubhouse at Smith’s Lawn. These developments were only possible through the wholehearted support of The Crown Estate, in particular their co-operation in drawing up the new leases.”
Charles Stisted Chief Executive Officer at Guards Polo Club, Windsor Great Park
“The Crown Estate gave us generous support throughout the process to build a new, larger hall. They provided the land and some funding as well as invaluable help with the complex planning procedure. When the new hall is opened in October, we will for the first time be able to hold events with the whole school gathered together in one room.”
Alison Lewis Head Teacher at The Royal School, Windsor
The size of our Windsor Estate means that, traditionally, we have been both a producer of green waste and a buyer of compost for horticulture. Each of these activities has significant environmental impact. During 2008/09 we upgraded and improved our composting system which now recycles all green waste generated within the boundaries of the Great Park from landscaping, forestry and other activities. This waste is then transformed into Grade A compost, by adding horse manure, before being reused on our grounds. Over the last 12 months, we composted an estimated 2,800 tonnes. As the composting takes place within the Park, we have reduced the CO2 emissions associated with transporting waste off-site and importing compost. The new system has also helped us avoid potential waste management costs, such as landfill tax which was £32 per tonne in 2008/09.
The Windsor Estate covers 6,300 hectares (15,600 acres) of the Surrey and Berkshire countryside. It includes the Great Park, farms, Ascot Racecourse, the Savill and Valley Gardens as well as forests and residential and commercial properties. The Estate enjoyed a year of consolidation, with thankfully no repeat of the foot and mouth outbreak of 2007.
For the year to 31 March 2009, revenue on the Windsor Estate was £6.3 million, up by 8.5% on the previous year, when revenue was adversely affected by the foot and mouth outbreak which caused Windsor Great Park to close its gates to visitors for a period. Property value was £165.5 million, down by 4.3% due to the economic situation and the general decline in property values across the UK. The cost of maintaining the Great Park was £8.3 million which was offset by revenue from commercial and residential property of £5.4 million and from agriculture and forestry of £1.0 million. This deficit is in line with that recorded in previous years.
The Great Park lies at the heart of the Windsor Estate. Our primary role is to maintain this beautiful resource for the public to use and enjoy. Every year, we welcome over one and a half million visitors to the park where they take part in a great range of recreational activities, from fishing and horse riding to walking, cycling and simply enjoying the fresh air. With its varied landscape, the park abounds in wildlife and the greater part of it has Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status.
Beyond the Great Park, the responsibilities of the Windsor Estate include a number of commercial and residential properties which continue to be attractive propositions for tenants. Occupancy levels remain high and rents relatively stable.
Property valuation£million
Revenue (excluding service charge income)£million
Restated for conversion to IFRS and adjusted for change in accounting estimate.
Revenue by activity £million
- A Residential –
- 2.1
- B Savill Garden and Building – 1.8
- 1.8
- C Commercial property – 1.5
- 1.5
- D Forestry –
- 0.7
- E Agricultural –
- 0.3
Comparative revenue figures are stated prior to the change in accounting estimate discussed in the 2007/08 financial statements.
Restoring the fabric of the Estate
Stewardship of the assets under our management is a core value at The Crown Estate, and restoration and repair of the important structures and landscapes within the Great Park is a fundamental part of those responsibilities.
In May 2009, following six months of painstakingly-researched restoration, we were able to re-open the Leptis Magna Ruins to the public. At a cost of some £200,000, the work is a key feature within The Royal Landscape restoration project to reinstate significant historic features in the Grade 1 listed landscape.
The Leptis Magna Ruins represent a ‘Roman Temple' and were built from columns, capitals and pieces of decorative entablature from the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna in Libya. They were given as a gift to King George IV, when he was Prince Regent, from the Bashaw of Tripoli and were erected by Sir Jeffry Wyatville, the King's favourite architect, on the south bank of Virginia Water. Ruined garden follies were fashionable throughout the Victorian period and the Leptis Magna Ruins are a very early example of this genre. The repair and restoration work not only provide greater public access through the creation of a new viewing point, but we have also secured the long-term preservation and safety of this magnificent folly for generations to come.
At The Savill Garden, work was carried out on the Temperate House to enhance the existing framework of plants to provide colour and interest throughout the year. The Temperate House re-opened in July 2008. Later in the year, we obtained planning consent from Runnymede Borough Council for an exciting new design for the Rose Garden. Working with talented designer Andrew Wilson, we intend to create a modern design which will explore the contemporary use of roses, in keeping with the key values established by the garden's creator, Sir Eric Savill. The planting of over 2,500 new roses and re-landscaping commenced during the first half of 2009, with the garden due to re-open to the public in the summer of 2010.
Sustaining the future
We work hard to ensure that sustainability is central to the way in which we manage the Windsor Estate.
As reported last year, we are evaluating the feasibility of building our own heat and power plant. The intention is to use timber from the Estate to provide energy. This is a long-term project which has commenced with a viability study.
We have continued to investigate how the properties on the Estate can be modernised to a high environmental standard and have invested significant funds in our own eco-house. This pilot property incorporates the latest range of energy saving technologies, including a heat pump, solar panels and enhanced insulation. The next stage is to let the eco-house to a tenant and work with this tenant to monitor environmental performance, a move which will provide us with practical environmental data. We will use the trial to assess which technologies may be suitable for future roll-out across other properties.
For the future, we are seeking to introduce a more environmentally-friendly sewage treatment system on the Estate. The new process will make use of natural bacteria and a network of lagoons, similar to a reed bed system.
We launched our Biodiversity Action Plan in 2008/09 and over the coming years this will help us to enhance our reputation for environmental stewardship. The Windsor Estate has a long history of conserving species and habitats and we will work to raise awareness of our biodiversity achievements.