Work to bring a public garden in Weston-super-Mare back
to life has started.
The rockery gardens at Madeira Cove will be landscaped, with the
regeneration of the area around the old Victorian shelter there due
to be completed before the summer season.
"This garden area has suffered from vandalism and anti-social
behaviour and has fallen into a state of disrepair over recent
years," said Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset Council's deputy
leader and executive member for strategic planning and economic
development. "Last year we successfully applied for funding under
the Sea Change programme run by CABE (Commission for Architecture
and the Built Environment). This was a programme open to all
seaside towns to apply to and this is one of two projects that have
been approved to date. The project will make the site more
attractive and accessible, a safer place to sit and walk through,
and will open up views across the bay."
The second of the Sea Change projects which the funding will
help bring to fruition is Weston Town Council's Water Park in Park
Place - a mix of adventure playground, picnic areas and interactive
water features. Work on this is also now underway.
Local businesses including Weston hoteliers are being kept up to
date on progress about the Sea Change programme. Keith Fearn, from
the Monaco Hotel in the town, is president of the local hoteliers
association and sits on the project partnership. He said: "Any
additional grant money we can attract to the town will be a boon.
There is a buzz about the place and a real feeling that all the
work going on in the town will undoubtedly change things for the
better and improve our prospects for the future."
Cllr Felicity Baker, executive member for tourism, added:
"Things are definitely on the up for the town with the Grand Pier
due to open in the summer, all the enhancement works we have been
carrying out on the seafront and the works on Pier Square.
People can see all the work going on and although they may be
slightly inconvenienced by it at the moment just think what it will
look like when it's all finished. It will be an even more
attractive visitor destination."
In total, £851,447 has been secured from CABE for cultural
regeneration including other public works due to be announced later
this year.
The national Sea Change initiative has the overarching aim of
placing culture at the heart of the renewal of England’s coastal
towns. Sea Change is a capital grants programme over three years
that grants awards to local authorities. Its aim is to use culture
to make a difference to seaside resorts, contributing to
sustainable, social and economic regeneration
