Make- over planned for Rose Bank Gardens after agreement
between two councils
Rose Bank Gardens in Great Malvern is set to
benefit from a new maintenance and improvement programme from
March. This follows discussions between both the district and the
town council which have resulted in a lease for the Gardens being
granted to the town council.
Malvern Hills District Council, which owns the
land, has agreed to lease it to Malvern Town Council who will take
on the management of the gardens on a long term basis. The
agreement has come about since discussions between the two councils
began in 2010, when the town council proposed plans to carry out
major improvements to the gardens to enhance both the access and
the horticulture, and to generally provide better facilities for
visitors. The transfer will contribute to delivery of the Route to
the Hills programme in which both councils are participating.
Cllr Barbara Williams, Portfolio Holder for
Community & Economic Development at Malvern Hills District
Council said:
“The development of Rose Bank Gardens as an
attraction and gateway to the hills will have a positive impact on
local people, tourism and the wider economy. The transfer
will help to deliver the Route to the Hills development programme
as it will improve facilities in Great Malvern and strengthen links
between the town and the Malvern Hills. We are very pleased that
the town council is taking over management of the site but we shall
continue to play a significant role in the development of the Route
to the Hills project.”
Richard Chapman, Clerk to Malvern Town Council
said:
” Malvern Town Council plans to improve Rose
Bank Gardens so that local people and visitors can enjoy the park
and appreciate the fabulous panoramic views of the Severn Vale. We
would like to introduce refreshments and additional seating to
improve an area of Great Malvern which is not well used but which
has a huge amount of potential.”
The Route to the Hills project team is
currently developing a funding strategy to attract external funding
which will be used to enhance and improvement key heritage sites,
signage, access and interpretation attracting more people to visit
the town and support local shops.
Rose Bank Gardens plays an important part in
the history of the district. In 1919, they were given
to ‘Malvern Urban District Council’ (the precursor to Malvern
Hills District Council) by Dyson Perrins, grandson of
Williams Perrins, co-originator of the Lea & Perrins secret
recipe for the famous ‘Worcestershire Sauce’. Since that
transfer of ownership the gardens have been open to the general
public.
For further information about the Route to the
Hills project please click here: Route to the
Hills
