The Liberal Democrats running BathNES Council have decided to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore Sydney Gardens.

There have been plans to restore the park for almost twenty years which have never been implemented. In 1993 an ambitious plan was drawn up which involved building a new bridge over the railway, a folly castle and planting a maze to the original design. The restoration project was last revived in 2007, but got nowhere under the then Conservative administration.

The Council cabinet has now approved a plan to draw up a bid, which could lead to significant funding. The Parks for People programme may fund 90% of the cost of restoring the gardens, making this project affordable even during a time of austerity for the council.

There will now be extensive consultation with residents and park users to find out their aspirations for the gardens. This work will inform the bid to the lottery and should make the restored Sydney Gardens popular and successful.

Your local Liberal Democrat councillors are very pleased with this progress and will make sure that local people are meaningfully involved in the project.