Lake Grounds Views sought on major revamp plan
ACAMPER van park, parking charges and a new restaurant could be introduced at Portishead Lake Grounds as part of ambitious plans to revitalise the beauty spot.
North Somerset Council, working with Portishead Town Council, has launched a consultation to help draw up a vision for the future of the beauty spot – described as the jewel in North Somerset’s crown.
The consultation includes a number of potential improvements including proposals to put a dedicated camper van park on the site where people are charged to stay overnight.
Other ideas put forward include bringing in additional food concessions as well as replacing the current restaurant with one with a sea view.
The council is also asking for people’s view on whether the lake should be dredged and whether new ‘family friendly’ activities such as a barbecue area and new picnic tables should be installed.
The consultation also raises the issue of parking charges and whether they should be introduced at the Lake Grounds all year round or at peak periods only.
Other suggestions include improving the biodiversity of the lake with new trees and plants and revamping the current toilets.
The council is also looking at the possibility of ‘pay to use’ facilities such as bouncy castles, allotments and a climbing wall.
Those using the lake grounds for activities such as outdoor fitness classes or professional dog walking could also be charged.
The consultation comes after North Somerset Council announced it had allocated £700,000 for a Great Lakes
Project in the district.
The scheme would see improvements not only at the lake grounds but also at Clevedon’s Marine Lake and Marine Lake in Weston-super-Mare.
People are now being urged to have their say on the ideas in the consultation which runs until August 2.
North Somerset Council executive member for neighbourhoods and community services Councillor Mike Solomon said: “We are intending to invest a significant amount to achieve this and we want to make sure that the money is spent to improve the park in ways that the community supports.
“Because we as a council have to abide by government rules and fund ‘mandatory’ services such as adult social care, children’s services, waste and recycling before funding what are deemed ‘discretionary’ services like parks there is just not the money available for year on year improvements.
“However, we are investing £700,000 to help improve our three great North Somerset coastal lakes at Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare and the Lake Grounds, Portishead.”
In recent years the Lake Grounds has held a green flag status and was last awarded the prestigious accolade in 2019.
The international award, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
However last year the council announced it would not be entering the site, which stretches over 15 hectares and is mainly grassland, for an award due to a series of improvements which needed to be carried out to bring it up to standard.
The decision follows feedback from the judges about improvements that could be made to the area.