Page 4 - link magazine

Lydiard Park’s future might be known in February

The process launched by Swindon passed on. Savings of £20million
Council to transfer responsibility for have to be found next year, and a
the management of Lydiard House further £60million over the next
and Park to a private company or a three. He added: “The council has
trust during the Autumn has been not included a subsidy in next year’s
marked by uncertainty, rumour and budget as we expect to recover any
heated debate. costs incurred in the early part of
London property consultants the year.”
Bilfinger GVA advertised the The range of organisations who
‘exceptional opportunity’ to have indicated interest in Lydiard
become a joint venture partner has yet to be formally revealed,
with the council in three property but Twigmarket Ltd., who took over
publications in October. At the same Swindon Council’s golf course and
time two public engagement events has recently applied to build a hotel
took place in November, where at Broome Manor, is known to have
people were asked about the future submitted a proposal.
of the house and park. Some 300 Another has been put forward by
people responded in writing. The cover of the brochure offering Lydiard House and Park to the market Swindon Council staff who would
Although the council cabinet run Lydiard as a charitable trust.
agreed to set up different advocated the importance of the taken place online, with regular Mike Bowden, chair of the
management structures for leisure heritage asset for the last 60 years, updates at www.swindonlink.com Friends of Lydiard Park, said: “This
centres and heritage assets in set out 11 major objections to any Organisations seeking to run outsourcing process has caused
2013, the sudden rush to find an outsourcing of the house and park. Lydiard had to submit expressions massive concern for the integrity
organisation to run Lydiard caused They also launched a petition on of interest by 11 December and the of a much loved heritage asset
great concern amongst users and the Change.org which before Christmas cabinet hope to agree a preferred amongst the public. The numbers
Friends of Lydiard Park. was approaching 8,000 signatories, partner at its meeting in February. who have signed our petition is an
People have expressed worry that and are organising a public meeting The aim is to agree terms of a lease expression of that. I urge people to
major commercial development like on 12 January to update people on with external management by June attend our public meeting to express
a hotel could be the outcome. the latest situation. Details are given this year. their support for Lydiard.”
The council has made it clear on page 11. Cllr Garry Perkins, cabinet member • Lydiard House, 70 years in public
Lydiard will remain in the borough’s The fast moving debate about responsible for Lydiard Park, said that ownership. Its history in 10 key
ownership, but The Friends, which the future of the park, and a major the dire financial situation Swindon objects on pages 24 and 25.
has fundraised to purchase items for dispute about the level of council Council finds itself in means the • Follow the story by searching
the Lydiard House museum and has subsidy of the park, has largely cost of running Lydiard has to be Lydiard at www.swindonlink.com

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4 swindonlink.com n January 2016