Council set to consider whether ‘Vegmead’ in Hedgemead Park should be moved

Bath & North East Somerset Council has begun drawing up plans for a two-year programme of improvement works to the historic Hedgemead Park in Bath.

Photo courtesy of @vegmead on Twitter

The Council’s Parks Department is currently developing a long-term management plan for the park and as part of this is considering whether the fruit and vegetable plot growing in a former disused flower bed – known locally as Vegmead – should be moved to a more suitable location.

Hedgemead Park is one of only five Grade I and II listed public parks in the district, recognised  by Historic England for its nationally important formal landscaped gardens with paths, garden ornaments and a bandstand.

However, having carried out a review of the park, the Council is concerned that the current site is unsuitable for a number of reasons:

• It is on a steep slope and has limited access to water, compost facilities, storage and other amenities.
• It is relatively difficult to access and is largely inaccessible to those with limited mobility.
• It is poorly-suited to a heritage landscape.
• The location and layout of the space limits opportunities for the plot to develop further.

Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North) Cabinet Member for Community Services said: “Working around the growing season, we will discuss with users and interested parties a proposal to move the fruit and vegetable plot, possibly towards the end of 2017.

“We appreciate that this has been a convenient location for those involved but by working together we can hopefully find somewhere more suitable for the plot.

“Nearby Kensington Meadows is an ideal alternative with large areas of flat, accessible open space, alongside an existing fledgling community orchard.”