The £360,000 project to revamp Burnham-On-Sea’s Marine Cove gardens on the town’s seafront is also under threat by the district council’s funding problems.
Sedgemoor District Council had pledged £35,000 to the scheme to modernise the public gardens as part of a Heritage Lottery Funding bid for a total of £362,900.
However, the cash-strapped council’s current financial woes mean it may re-consider the project – thereby also placing the lottery bid in jeopardy.
Town Council Clerk Eileen Shaw told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Tuesday (December 15th): “Our members would be opposed to any suggestion that Sedgemoor’s funding for this project is removed.”
“The Town Council has set aside a total of £14,500 towards the restoration of Marine Cove, which is part of a Heritage Lottery bid for funding.”
Last June, the project was given a huge boost when it won £29,500 of ‘first round’ funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Friends of Marine Cove group is waiting to see whether the project qualifies for £362,900 of funding.
Other cash committed to the project includes £14,500 from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, £16,000 from waste company Viridor and £35,000 from the District Council.
The project, which could take several years to complete, involves the restoration of lost features such as a sundial, water fountain and seating, plus restoring the shelters and overall modernisation. A final decision on the scheme could come on Wednesday (December 16th).
RELATED LINKS:
New Marine Cove friends group set to formed
Only 100 people sign petition to save Marine Cove
Vandals strike Burnham’s Marine Cove gardens again
Survey boost for bid to revamp Burnham’s Marine Cove gardens
Burnham residents get their say on future of Marine Cove
Shelters at Burnham’s Marine Cove attacked by vandals
Vandals target Marine Cove gardens
Marine Cove Trafalagar gates officially opened
