Park leaders ponder next move
The decision by Big Lottery organisers not to award funding to Bradford's big city park scheme is a big disappointment, says the BPF.
The news has been met with 'bewilderment' by the bid's organisers, although they have not given up the ghost on the project. The Park at the Heart scheme had been short-listed as part of the Living Landmarks competition to provide funding of millions to a small number of towns or cities wanting assistance for big projects. The eventual winners were Belfast, Cornwall and Falkirk, each receiving over £20m.
Bradford Council and Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) are to meet with other partners to review options on how to fund the near-£30m project. The bid had been widely regarded as a well-put-together programme that ticked all the boxes: a wide consultation harnessed with a comprehensive appeal to different communities had helped the bid make the short-list. No reasons have yet been given on why Bradford did not get a slice of the cake, but feedback is expected before Christmas.
Large sections of the business community had supported the bid, and groups such as Bradford Chamber of Commerce have since written to the local authority and BCR to offer help to keep the scheme alive. Bradford’s local newspaper, the Telegraph & Argus, has said that the hard work put into the bid, combined with the creativity and innovation involved in Park at the Heart makes it too good an idea for it to be lost now. Businesses across Bradford have been expressing their disappointment this week but no-one seems to be critical of either the organisers or the quality of the scheme.
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