Archived press
release.
After submitting the final stage Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid
in February and waiting with bated breath, the Seafront Gardens
project has successfully been awarded almost £2.2 million to
complete the project.
After the vital input from the local community and help from
project consultants Lanarca, the Felixstowe Futures team created a
design master plan to restore and improve the gardens to their
best.
“It is fantastic news that the HLF has awarded us the Parks for
People grant and I look forward to the next phase of the project
that will see work begin on restoring the gardens and encouraging
even more people to come and enjoy them. This is the latest big
investment that is helping to regenerate the town and resort of
Felixstowe,” said Cllr Geoff Holdcroft, Cabinet Member for Leisure
and Economic Development.
The exciting designs for the renovated gardens include improved
access, lighting, furniture and seating, restoring heritage
features including the octagonal and round shelters, and the pump
house, creating a heritage trail through the length of the gardens,
restoring biodiversity by restoring ponds and planting, an outdoor
performance space and a new shelter creating a focal point of the
gardens closest to the Town Hall.
“The gardens are recognised for their historical background
being given Grade II listed status on the National Register of
Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest and we have made
sure that this is reflected in the designs for the new-look
gardens.
“There has been a great deal of community support and
involvement in drawing up the plans for the gardens and it is
something that impressed the HLF. I would like to thank all of
those that took part in sharing their views during the public
consultations in July and December last year and I hope they are as
pleased as we are with this result.
“Now that we have been successful in receiving the grant, the
next stage is to complete the detailed design and then appoint
contractors to carry out the works to the garden. Works on site are
anticipated to begin in September 2012 and should be complete by
the end of 2013,” added Cllr Holdcroft.
The Seafront Gardens project has received £2,194,100 from the
HLF with the total project cost being £2,761,100. The rest of the
project funding will come from the Suffolk Coastal Local Authority
Business Growth Incentive Grant giving £361,500, the Haven Gateway
Partnership giving £100,000 with the final £105,400 coming from
sponsorship, volunteer contributions and support in kind from
Felixstowe Town Council and the Felixstowe Futures team. Suffolk
Coastal and Haven Gateway Partnership also provided financial
support to fund the bid preparation and the application to the
HLF.
“This is fantastic news for Felixstowe Seafront Gardens. This
much-loved seaside facility already reflects the heritage of the
town as it developed as a coastal resort over the last 100 years.
Thanks to funding from HLF, that story will be told through the
creation of a new heritage trail, alongside the restoration and
conservation works that will mean these Seafront Gardens can be
enjoyed by visitors for years to come,” said Robyn Llewellyn, Head
of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England.
The key partners in the Felixstowe Seafront Gardens project are
Suffolk Coastal District Council, The Haven Gateway Partnership,
Felixstowe Town Council, and Felixstowe Futures with support from
the Friends of Felixstowe Seafront Gardens and many other local and
regional community groups and organisations.
“This is a tremendous result for Felixstowe, with over £2
million of public money being invested in helping make it even
truer that it is the place for Great days by the Sea. I hope it
will encourage others to come forward and back those who are
working hard to make Felixstowe an even better place to live or
visit.
“So many individuals and organisations have helped make this bid
successful, but I would like to particularly highlight the efforts
of Cllr Mary Neale who championed the project throughout the HLF
application process.
“However, it is the probably the input and support from the
public that has helped us win this grant. All those who have taken
the time to give their views will in future be able to enjoy the
new-look gardens and know that it is thanks to them that this
unique part of Felixstowe’s heritage will live on for generations
to come,” added Cllr Holdcroft.
The winning bid for the Gardens is another success story in the
Felixstowe Futures initiative which has recently seen the opening
of the new public open space at the Triangle and the national award
winning Shared Space Scheme on Hamilton Road.
To find out more about the project and the design plans,
residents can visit
www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/felixstowefutures/projects/seafrontgardens
or get in touch with the Felixstowe Futures team on 01394 444577 or
email
joseph.james@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
Among the groups that have played a part in making the
successful bid are the Friends of Felixstowe Seafront Gardens,
Suffolk Preservation Society, Natural England, Level 2 Youth
Project, Felixstowe & District Horticultural Society, Reunion
Gallery, Haven Gateway Partnership, Felixstowe Town Council, Access
Group for Suffolk, The Felixstowe Society, Old Felixstowe Community
Association, Suffolk Gardens Trust, Felixstowe Town Centre
Residents Association, English Heritage, GeoSuffolk, Felixstowe
Museum and Felixstowe
Port.