During the full B&NES Council meeting last Thursday at the Guildhall in Bath, Councillor Tim Warren confirmed that the Vegmead site will be staying at its current location in Hedgemead Park.
The Vegmead Community Group packed out the public gallery to hear Alderman David Dixon question the proposal for removing the ‘Vegmead’ site from Hedgemead Park.
Quoting the 3000 volunteer hours invested in the site since its inception in 2011, David asked why, in light of a difficult funding climate, the level of community investment would be removed.
Sighting the claims made by the Parks Department that the site did not look attractive, he stated it was unfair of the Parks Team to have visited the site in February when most green spaces aren’t looking their best.
When asked by a Councillor if he could confirm that Vegmead was staying in Hedgemead Park, Council Leader Tim Warren replied ‘yes’.
Before the meeting began, the group set up a pop-up produce stall outside the Guildhall and gave away vegetables and fruit to passing members of the public.
They were also joined by supporters and spoke to numerous passersby about the Save Vegmead campaign.
Vegmead Community Group had received information in the days prior to the meeting that the Council were having a re-think about removing Vegmead, but no direct word from the Council had been received.
In light of this they attended the meeting in person to hear the news first hand. They are awaiting a meeting date from the Council to discuss their plans for Vegmead’s future.
The Council have added a caveat stating that Vegmead can stay if the site is deemed a ‘success’. It’s not yet clear how ‘success’ at the site will be defined.