Published: June 30, 2009
Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove scoops £29,500 lottery windfall

The project to redevelop Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens has this week been awarded £29,500 of lottery funding.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced 'first-round passes' for the restoration of seven parks across the UK through its Parks for People programme, including Burnham's vandalism-hit seafront gardens.

The news was immediately welcomed by Cllr Neville Jones, who is spearheading the project and Cllr Dennis Davey (pictured in the gardens).

Marine Cove is to get £29,500 towards a further potential application of £362,900.

"It's wonderful news - a first step in the right direction," he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"After the recent disappointment of Burnham missing out on regeneration funding, this is just the news we needed."

The ambitious project to redevelop the seafront gardens has been several years in the planning, and Sedgemoor District Council has applied for £362,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to turn the plans into reality.

Funds already committed to the project are £14,500 from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, £16,000 from waste company Viridor and £35,000 from the District Council.

The project, which could take several years to complete, involves the restoration of lost features such as a sundial, water fountain and seating, plus restoring the shelters and overall modernisation.

The Heritage Lottery Fund's announcement sees £800,000 of funding being awarded to projects in London, Newcastle, Fife, Somerset, Swansea, Doncaster and Suffolk.

Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said in a statement: "Parks are enjoyed by everyone. They play a vital role in improving the environment, community life and people's feeling of wellbeing."

"This initial support from HLF will help bring about a series of transformations which will be enjoyed by future generations for many years to come."