Residents are being given the opportunity to have their say on planned improvements to five council-owned spaces in the Foxhill area of Bath.
A concept sketch of the Entry Hill open space | Image © B&NES Council
Bath & North East Somerset Council is asking people who live in, work in, or visit the area for their views on how to spend Section 106 contributions from Curo’s Mulberry Park development, which have been dedicated to enhancing parks and open spaces for the community to use.
Last year the local authority ran an initial consultation to find out what residents think should be provided at the parks, and how money can be used effectively to benefit the existing and new communities.
A second consultation has now been launched to gather feedback on specific proposals for the parks to help shape the final designs, on which the first phase of work is expected to begin in spring 2023.
The project aims to make the green spaces more accessible, better equipped and improve access to nature.
The parks that will be improved as part of the scheme and the main proposals for improvements are:
- Entry Hill open space: more trees and wildlife-friendly planting, new play equipment separated from dog-walking areas
- Springfield Quarry: a new access point to the south of the site, formalised paths and seating
- Hawthorn Grove: improve access and expand food growing
- Springfield Park: improved play facilities for older children including a redeveloped BMX track
- Backstones open space: new seating, natural play facilities, , boundaries and signs, better separation of conservation and amenity grass areas
The funding was agreed as part of the planning permission for the Mulberry Park development, which is due to be completed in 2026 and will include 600 homes, a new primary school and community centre.
The project has currently secured funding of around £400,000, with the total cost of all park improvements being in the region of £1.4 million.
There will be a phased programme of investment over several years and feedback from this consultation will inform the first phase of works.
Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “The initial consultation we ran in 2021 showed great support for a range of improvements aimed at providing better park facilities, and making the spaces more accessible and safer to use.
“We discovered from the responses that some of the parks are under-utilised or not well-known, so we want to make the most of these green havens in the city.
“Mulberry Park is a significant development for the area and it’s important that we make sure spaces in this area cater for all the different uses and needs of the community.
“We are not in a financial position to deliver all aspects of the work outlined in the landscape designs immediately, so through this second consultation we’d like to find out what your priorities are for the first phase of the project.
“We need to know what people think before any decisions are made, so please have your say.”
The council’s parks team is holding a drop-in event for people to find out more and ask questions about the project.
This will be held on Saturday, 10th December from 10am – 12pm at Springfield Room, The Hub, Mulberry Way, Mulberry Park, Combe Down, Bath BA2 5BU.
You can view the plans and respond to the consultation here.
Residents who are not able to respond to the consultation online can pick up a paper copy at the Mulberry Park Hub event on 10th December.
