The Trust has been close follower and supporter of the plans to regenerate and re-imagine the historic Sydney Gardens. The project, which is NLHF funded under the ‘Parks for People’ programme, looks to revitalise the gardens which are a well loved local place for recreation and play as well as being historically significant as a rare surviving example of Georgian pleasure grounds. The listed Brunel railway with its classical structures runs through the gardens as does the historic Kennet and Avon canal.
In Summer 2018, following over 2 years of public consultation and workshops, planning application 18/03451/REG03 was submitted. We are favourable to the proposals, in particular the focus and thought that has been applied to the repair and restoration of the Edwardian toilets and other historic structures in the gardens. We have always been clear in showing our concern and regret that the scope of the project cannot include any much needed repair and restoration work to the neglected Brunel structures that form part of the ‘theatre of train’ through the gardens. These structures are under the direct control of Network Rail and it is not clear how much they are engaging in this project.
See our September 2018 response here.
Further applications were submitted throughout 2019 for the refinement of previously proposed works:
See our 19/03211/LBA response here.
See our 19/05444/REG13 response here.
All applications have been permitted, and works are scheduled for completion by February 2022. Ongoing updates can be read here.
