£190k funds shortfall in Parks for People plan
RHONDDA Cynon Taf council needs to find nearly £200,000 to cover increased design costs for a major park project.
The £1.5m Parks for People project for Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd received Heritage Lottery Fund of £208,500 for stage one development phase of the scheme.
But new designs submitted for the proposed horticultural training centre have led to increased costs and mean the council will be looking at alternative sources of funding to plug the £190,000 gap.
Heritage Lottery have confirmed there is no chance of increasing the original grant request that was submitted in stage one approval so the council will have to look for alternative funding.
The council says it is actively pursuing this through other grants and is hopeful the £190,000 shortfall can be reduced once these are found.
The plans announced earlier this year would involve the creation of a horticultural training centre and a heritage project and 90% of people who responded to the initial consultation in the summer said they supported the project.
A parks depot and the 1920s toilet block will be turned into a space offering classes and courses for the community and there would be a volunteer programme and a Friends of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park group set up.
An Ynysangharad War Memorial Park cabinet committee report says the volunteer programme has already enrolled more than 50 people and more than 1,650 hours of volunteering have been given to the park. The plan would also see the restoration of historical park features such as the sunken garden and the bandstand with a woodland play space in the mock rock outcrop.
A consultation period on the proposals will start this week and last for two weeks with a view to submitting a planning application in January.
Stage two of the project is about delivering the scheme and requires a minimum of 10% match funding for projects over £1m but the council says this is already built into the Parks and People capital programme for future years.
The report says: “The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Parks for People work presents the council with the opportunity to enhance the visitors experience and further develop Ynysangharad War Memorial Park as a regional tourist attraction.
“The proposed enhancements to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park will offer the visitor a menu of opportunities that will support sustainability.
“The development of a ‘Friends Of’ group will further provide an offer to local communities, bringing added value and diversity.
“The training centre will promote the park locally and regionally, putting Ynysangharad War Memorial Park on the map.
“The revised designs will be complementary to the surroundings and had a positive reception from development control.”