Changes to gardens must be sympathetic

I can claim to have been a regular visitor to Sydney Gardens over the last 45 years, and I certainly do agree with Professor Gilbertson that the grandeur of the gardens has faded. In my view however the undoubted deterioration of fabric of buildings and structures, and facilities, has been only part of the problem. The lack of a considered maintenance plan, involving tree management and in gardening has been apparent for a number of years, as has the lack of regular manpower and works in properly maintaining the site. This has lead to reactive attention to park problems, and a very poor mix of woodland stock. The published image has seemingly involved a range of specialists, no doubt at significant cost, but the proposals will change for all time the ancient aspect of the gardens? Unless the overall aim is to make the gardens self financing by charging for facilities (different to other city parks and gardens), might it be more in keeping with this special Georgian location, to institute proper site management, based on accepted arborecultural practices and gardening methods instead, thereby maintaining the historical features of the gardens? By all means upgrade/repair existing fabric where needed, but this ain’t going to cost anywhere near £3.4m, I would suggest? I would hate for initiative and planned changes to be wasted, considering the very short life of The Labyrinth. PJ Cossins Bathampton