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Community News

Plans for Lydiard face possible six month delay Car parking charges

Plans to put the running of Lydiard for Coate and Lydiard
Park and House out to tender could Car parking charges at Swindon’s
be delayed by six months in order for two most popular country parks are
a community bid to be put together. to be introduced to bring income
Organisations were originally asked that will help to maintain and
to submit their formal bids by early protect them for all users.
May, but that deadline was put back The council plan would affect
until early July so that structural visitors to Lydiard House and Park
surveys on the house could be and Coate Water Country Park,
carried out. which between them see thousands
Now the council has agreed of visitors arrive by car each year.
that the lease for whoever takes The charges are £2 for up to 2 hours,
over will in all likelihood be more or £4 all day, to park at Lydiard, and
than 25 years. This has triggered a £1 for 2 hours, or £2 all day, to park
moratorium under the Localism Act and if a six month moratorium museum and its collections and at Coate.
2011 that states that a community is confirmed the council would the walled garden and ensure they Annual season tickets would also
organisation should be given a still have the power to choose remain accessible to the general be offered, at a cost of £45 for
chance to put together a bid for whichever organisation it feels public. Lydiard, £30 for Coate or £60 for
community asset being leased for would be best for the future - Protect the historic landscape both. Discounts are available for
more than 25 years. sustainability of the site whether and structures within the park, tickets issued this year due to the
Community organisations now they are commercial or not. which were restored as part of the implementation happening part way
have six weeks to come forward A report going before the council £5.1million Heritage Lottery Fund through 2016.
to put in expressions of interest to has also revealed the criteria Project, and reflect the long-term It is estimated that the move could
run the site. If one does they will that all the organisations putting plans submitted in 2015. bring in £400,000 in ring-fenced
be given another six months to forward a tender will have to abide - Allow the continuation of public income to spend on the upkeep of
assemble their bid. by. access to the park and grounds. the parks each year.
If none come forward the current These are: - Address the on-going A public consultation on Lydiard
process will continue and a final - Secure a sustainable future for maintenance and repair of the House and Park carried out between
decision of a preferred organisation Lydiard House and Park within the house and park. 22 February and 29 April saw 51 per
to take on the heritage asset will be council’s ownership that does not Potential bidders have also been cent of residents who responded
announced in September. rely on an on-going council subsidy. offered a ‘reverse premium’ of accept the need for charging to
The current process will still be - Safeguard the historical £850,000 as a contribution to a maintain the parks, including 9%
able to continue in the background importance of the Lydiard House current maintenance backlog. who saw the move as a good idea.

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