Issue - meetings

to receive a presentation from officers regarding the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund grant to restore South Hill Park.

Richard Walton, Parks and Countryside Manager, gave a presentation in respect of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund grant to restore South Hill Park.

South Hill Park was a key location in the Borough. Originally part of Windsor Great Forest the park reflected the development of Bracknell since the 17^th Century. The park was developed from hunting forest to a landscaped park with a lake, woodland clumps, new gardens, terrace, shrubbery and walks. Temple Moore redesigned the later house and terrace.

In 1973 the house was established as an Arts Centre within a public park. Changes to South Hill park included construction of Ringmead dividing the park in two, and the building of Housing over two thirds of the park area. South Hill Park was designated a landscape of national and local importance and was registered as a Grade II Historic Park. The designations highlighted the fragility of the Park which contained sites that were highly vulnerable.

The budget for all restoration works was £4.4 million, 70% of which was to come from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund grant money.

The vision of the South Hill Park Conservation Management Plan was to revitalise the Park as thriving, vibrant, varied open space which built on the special qualities of the historic landscape, its natural beauty and arts activities, as a safe and attractive oasis in Bracknell town which benefits  the whole community.

Planned work included:

·         Redesign of the entrances and gateways

·         Revised car park layout

·         Revised surfacing

·         New paths

·         New signage which included interpretation boards and self guided trails

·         Restoration of the Arts centre Terrace and other stonework

·         Redesign and replanting of the Italian garden

·         New gardens at the head of the south lake

·         New meadows

·         Woodland work

·         Improvement work to the north and south lake

The Panel noted that members of the public would be encouraged to continue to use the park during restoration works and every effort would be made to make as much of the park available for use to minimise the impact of works. Part of the short listing process for companies who wished to tender for the restoration work was to demonstrate how the park could be kept open and how the public would be involved in the development.

The Panel suggested that a historian should be commissioned to record the development for historical purposes.