Bath & North East Somerset Council has committed up to £250,000 to make a start on the revitalisation of the popular Sydney Pleasure Gardens in Bath.
The Council is working with local residents, The Friends of Sydney Gardens and The Holburne Museum to agree an initial package of priority improvements to make the gardens more welcoming and accessible for everyone.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Sydney Gardens is one of Bath’s most historic public parks, much loved by its local community, but in desperate need of careful rejuvenation.
“Bath & North East Somerset Council’s injection of £250,000 this year will kick-start a collaboration between the community and the Council, restoring the landscape, improving accessibility and enabling it to become an even better focus of the community life for future generations.”
Early work will include landscape improvements and making entrances and paths more accessible.
Jonny East , Chairman of Friends of Sydney Gardens added: “The Friends of Sydney Gardens promotes the preservation and conservation of Sydney Gardens, together with community-supported improvements.
“To this end we are delighted to work with Bath & North East Somerset Council on the project and welcome this investment to finance early stage improvements.”
Richard Fleck, Chairman of The Holburne Museum, said: “We are delighted that the Council is taking steps to revitalise Sydney Gardens, sadly now the unique example of 18th Century pleasure gardens that survive in the UK and we look forward to working with the Council.
“We welcome the support of the local community including, in particular, the Friends of Sydney Gardens.”
Liberal Democrat campaigner in Bathwick, Claire Jackson, commented: “I welcome this revitalisation project, as will local residents and community groups.
“Sydney Gardens will really benefit from a ‘Spring clean’ and some of the works suggested – such as improving information for visitors to navigate the park and cutting back on overgrown areas – have the potential to make it an even more popular place to visit.
“The children’s play area benefitted from a new see-saw at the end of last year and I think there is room for further improvements.”
Councillor David Martin (Liberal Democrat, Bathwick) added: “It’s helpful that the Council has reached out to local community groups and residents to ask them for their input into what improvements can and should be made in the short term.
“We were glad to participate in the steering group process. The ideas which came out of the group were shared more widely in a consultation leaflet.
“Local people care deeply about what happens to Sydney Gardens and we have to make sure that these works have their support.”
Councillor Manda Rigby (Liberal Democrat, Abbey) said: “The long-term renewal of Sydney Gardens is still to be resolved. With the new steering group, we have established an excellent working practice which can be used when proposals for a future full scheme are developed.
“This partnership working – which has been a priority for the Lib Dem administration – will ensure that money spent now will not be wasted if and when external funding is granted for a more comprehensive refurbishment.”
Improvement work is scheduled to start later in the Spring.
Further information is available at the project webpage www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/sport-leisure-and-parks/parks-opening-times-and-locations/sydney-gardens.