Survey boosts hopes of £250,000 lotto windfall for Burnham gardens

Published: October 22, 2007
Survey boosts hopes of £250,000 lotto windfall for Burnham gardens

A £250,000 bid for lottery funding to transform Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens has edged a step closer this week after hundreds of people supported the regeneration of the seafront gardens in a council survey.

In August, Burnham-On-Sea.com reported 2,000 residents in Burnham were to be sent questionnaires as part of a consultation exercise to gather views about the future development of the facility.

327 survey forms were returned - a return rate of 16.4 per cent - and 70 per cent of people said they use the gardens.

Around half said the quality of the gardens has declined in the last three years, and many of those who no longer visit said this is due to concern about personal safety and the poor state of the site due to vandalism.

The gardens were partially closed earlier this summer when the shelters at the front were cordoned off after being attacked by vandals.

"Most people walk to the gardens, combining it with a visit to the town centre or seafront. Visits are infrequent and short, reflecting the lack of facilities and current state of the gardens," said Kate Avery of Sedgemoor District Council's Parks and Open Spaces department.

"The biggest barriers to greater use of Marine Cove are vandalism and graffiti, lack of time, and lack of facilities. Concerns about personal safety are focussed on anti-social behaviour due to young people using the shelters for various activities."

A total of 48 people expressed an interest in joining a proposed new group, Friends of Marine Cove, which would be set up on successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Sedgemoor District Council, which owns the site, is now pressing ahead with its application for £250,000 of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund through the 'Parks For People' scheme.

"In order for the Heritage Lottery Fund to consider Marine Cove Gardens for funding, Sedgemoor District Council must show them that the community values the park as part of their heritage, the park meets local social, economic and environmental needs, and the park actively involves local people," said council spokeswoman Claire Faun earlier this year.

It now appears likely that the most important assets of the garden will be preserved and improved for future generations.

Burnham-On-Sea News