DEVELOPMENT PLAN: 2010 – 2012

Introduction

This Development Plan builds on the work already completed under the earlier plan for 2007 to 2009.  Last year,2010, consisted of consolidating our efforts to retain Flag Award.  We are delighted that ithis year (2011) we have received the award for the third time but realise that it brings with it responsibilities as well as benefits.  One of the responsibilities is the need for a commitment to continuing improvement and this plan is the means of signalling our intentions.

During the lifetime of the earlier plan we made enormous progress and accomplished a great deal. Very few four year plans achieve the objectives which are set out at the beginning, but ours did with one exception.  The only outstanding issue was the renewal of the perimeter path which proved at that time not to be financially viable, it is however included in the new plan as a longer-term objective.

The Gardens now have a unique identity and have not only become a favourite resort for locals and visitors alike but have actually become a social gathering point where people meet, sit and talk in a very pleasant environment.  This is a far cry from the situation which existed at the time of the setting up of the Friends group. Indeed, the Gardens can now be seen, increasingly, as a focus of community activity.  

The original plan encompassed the enhancement of the main entrance from Banks Road, the renewal of the central pathway and the incorporation of a central feature consisting of a paved area, seating and appropriate planting.  This area is now dominated by a piece of metal artwork donated by the Friends.  It comprises three metal columns surmounted by sea-birds which move with the wind.  This unique feature is generally admired and provides a significant identity – to the extent that it has been adopted by local estate agents when selling neighbouring properties.  Pictures of the Gardens and the birds now feature in sales brochures when, once, proximity to the Gardens would not have been seen as a sales benefit.   The entrance from Banks Road is through a decorative metal archway incorporating the name of the Gardens.  Eventually, an equally grand feature will grace the entrance from the Promenade but until the future of the café is decided we will have to be satisfied with improved signage – a part of the following plan.

The 2010 – 2012 plan is part of a rolling programme.  In the current economic climate it is considered that looking further into the future would be imprudent.  It is evident that during this period funding by the local authority will be limited and that much of the responsibility for financial resourcing will rest on the efforts of the Friends group.  It will be seen that we believe that our own fund-raising by collections and events will be supported by grant-awarding bodies. 

Whilst the plan attempts to outline the resources available it stops short of putting a figure on the immense value of the time, effort, energy and creativity provided by the Friends themselves. Annually this amounts to a great many person-hours and a vast saving on the cost of having to employ others to do the work. 

The Development Plan 

The plan consists of short term goals and longer term objectives which are set out below.

Short-term Goal Number One 

Re-planting the borders around the gardens

This is a task to replace old and lost shrubs that have died due age or adverse weather conditions.  This is ongoing and it is our intention to supplement the surviving plants with appropriate new plants to bring the beds back to their former glory.

Completion:  ongoing 

Short-term Goal Number Two

The roof of retaining wall along South Parade facing inside the gardens has a number of roof tiles and rainwater guttering that is missing or broken.

Completion by

Longer-term Objectives

Objective Number One

Renewal of Perimeter Footpath

The perimeter path is constructed of stone paving flags which over the course of time have become uneven and soiled.  This has partially been addressed by the council by replacing and relaying sections of uneven flagging. There are still sections which need to be rectified to meet the Friends group’s overall aim to make the whole of the Gardens safe for everybody, especially for the disabled and the elderly, this objective has a high priority. 

Completion by early 2012

Objective Number Two

Replacing the rendered sections of the Promenade wall with glass blocks

At one time the wall had glazed windows in each section.  Over time, in order to achieve economies, the local authority has replaced these windows with blocked and cement-rendered features which are nondescript

This objective is closely related to the Council’s upgrading of the café. The refurbished cafe is due to open for busines in October 2011. Now that this has happened the Friends have secured funding to install four of the rendered sections with glass blocks. It is hoped that this will open up the views of the gardens to people walking the promenade and attract more visitors. Equally it will afford open views of the Marine lake and Welsh coast from the gardens.  

Depending on the success of this first phase further funding may be sought. 

 Completion 1st phase by end of 2011 

Outline plans for garden -------   Ground plan