- Area:
- London
- Programme:
- Parks for People
- Release date:
- 15 4 2009
As spring finally arrives, two major London parks have been given the green light to start planning major renovation works. Victoria Park in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Horniman Gardens in the London Borough of Lewisham are on track for a huge transformation after sharing in grants totaling £367,000 to back their exciting regeneration plans, it was announced today.
The go-ahead for LB Tower Hamlets and the Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust to kick-start their regeneration schemes has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund’s (BIG) ‘Parks for People’ programme*.
Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets
LB Tower Hamlets have been awarded a £295,500 development grant to work up plans for a £4,555,000 application towards major improvements to the ‘People’s Park.’ Established in 1845, Victoria Park was the first park in the world opened in response to community demand amongst an area of dense and poor quality housing, and at the time was the largest green space in East London. The park now hosts up to 30 events a year which can attract up to 75,000 visitors and is well known for mass gatherings, such as the Suffragette movement in the early twentieth century and more recently the Rock against Racism event.
Plans for the Grade II* registered park, also on the English Heritage Register, will significantly improve access. The regeneration will include a new building, the Eastern Hub, comprising a cafe, public toilets, community rooms and adult play facilities to promote healthy living. The landscape will be restored and a new pagoda will be introduced to the lake making the park more attractive for future generations. The park will play a major role in the London 2012 Olympics as a Live Site with free access big screens and used for other Olympic events.
Councillor Abdal Ullah Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener at Tower Hamlets Council said: “We’re over the moon that we’re a step closer to being awarded this funding. Victoria Park is the East End’s version of Regents Park and is an important green space which is enjoyed by the whole community. We’ll be talking to local people to find out exactly what they want to see in their park as a result of these multi-million pound improvements.
“If our bid is successful this funding will be added to £5 million that Tower Hamlets Council has put aside to improve the park making for a massive investment.”
Horniman Gardens, Lewisham
Awarded a development grant of £71,500 to work up plans for a £907,000 application, Horniman Gardens is also Grade II listed and was opened in 1901. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist and tea trader Frederick Horniman, the gardens contain many horticultural and architectural features designed to work in harmony with the Horniman Museum, which houses high quality collections with a family focus and educational theme. The Gardens host a wide range of activities and events including family workshops, outdoor film screenings and theatre performances.
The planned restoration works include the renovation of historic features, relocation of key facilities, opening up of views and improved access and circulation routes. A new learning and community base will be located in the middle of the gardens and will act as a base for external learning activities opening up the area to a larger audience. Wheelchair access will also be introduced with improved access, along with sheltered areas and new sitting steps. The landscape will be reshaped and rejuvenated to bring the park back to life and encourage an even greater amount of visitors to attend.
Janet Vitmayer, Director of the Horniman Museum and Gardens said “We’re thrilled to have the go ahead to develop our scheme to restore and upgrade the Horniman’s Gardens so that they reflect the indoor collections through new planting and interpretation, an improved animal enclosure and a musical play area. The views of London from the restored bandstand terrace promise to be breathtaking. This award will allow the Horniman, one of south London’s most established landmarks to provide its growing audience and future generations with rich new opportunities for discovery and enjoyment”.
Sue Bowers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the London region, said: “We’re delighted that these two wonderful parks have been given the green light to develop their exciting plans. Lottery money has already played a vital role in the renaissance of London’s parks for more than a decade but there is much more to be done. These projects will inject a new lease of life into two popular historic green spaces which serve densely populated areas and aim to attract a wider range of users.”
Debbie Pippard, Big Lottery Fund Head of the London region added:“Victoria Park and Horniman Gardens are real jewels in our crown and we’re delighted to be able to provide funds to further their fantastic transformation plans and make sure that local people, and all Londoners, benefit.”
Further Information
For further information, please contact Vicky Wilford HLF’s press office on 020 7591 6046
Email: vickyw@hlf.org.uk
Out of hours mobile: 07973 401937
Helen Harch at the Big Lottery Fund on 020 7211 3707
Email: helen.harch@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Out of hours: 07867 500 572
Notes to Editors
The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. In England two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership (2006-2009) to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks of £150million. Over the three years the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is investing up to £80 million (in England only) with £70 million coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the UK.
*The Parks for People programme has a two-stage or two-round application process. At the first stage or round, an organisation can apply for a development grant to contribute to the costs of developing the project for a second stage or round application. The full grant is only awarded if the second-round application is successful.
Parks for People programme grants range from £250,000 to £5million with two rounds of funding each year.
Every completed park project will be expected to achieve the annual prestigious Green Flag Award and in doing so demonstrate quality standards of care and upkeep.
HLF will continue to fund public park projects with an approved investment of some £20 million each year from 2009. The next closing date for applications is 31 August 2009. See www.hlf.org.uk for details.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 28,800 projects, allocating over £4.3billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
HLF has already invested more than £400million in 300 historic public parks, gardens, squares and promenades right across the UK.
BIG has invested more than £700million on environmental initiatives to date. For more information, visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
BIG rolls out close to £2million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project. The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.
Good Causes - out of every pound spent on a National Lottery ticket, 28p goes directly to good causes. BIG is responsible for distributing half of the money to improve communities and the lives of people most in need. HLF distributes 16.67% of the money to heritage projects across the UK. There are 12 other organisations responsible for distributing lottery money to good causes. www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
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