Scheme to restore Bath’s natural heritage wins £1.65 million National Lottery grant

An ambitious scheme to restore and protect Bath’s local natural heritage has secured £1.65 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The Bathscape Landscape Partnership officially launched the project delivery stage of Bathscape at an event held at the city’s Roman Baths following confirmation of the HLF funding award.

The scheme will bring to life 25 projects over the next 5 years that aim to restore, and improve access to, the UNESCO World Heritage City’s landscape. Bathscape will also provide a wide range of training and skill development opportunities for local people.

Chaired by Andrew Grant, founder and director of Bath based landscape architect Grant Associates, Bathscape is a partnership of conservation organisations, community groups, businesses, universities and Bath & North East Somerset Council (BANES).

Guests at Bathscape’s launch included Councillor Karen Walker, Chair of BANES, and Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones, the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Bath, as well as other community representatives and stakeholders.

Match-funding, together with donations from partners and volunteers in the form of time and material, will increase the total invested in Bath’s landscape by the scheme to £2.2 million.

Bathscape’s projects were developed through 18 months of consultation with residents, landowners and organisations, and partnership will continue to be at the heart of their delivery.

The Bathscape area covers 101 sq km and stretches from Charmy Down to the north of the city to Combe Hay in the south, and from Kingsdown to the east to Corston in the west.

Projects in the scheme include:

• Improving the condition and management of important woodlands, grasslands and historic landscape features

• Providing training, opportunities and resources for local people to get involved in the study and enhancement of the local landscape

•  A five-year programme of walks and other public events in the landscape including the annual Bathscape Walking Festival and healthy walking groups linked to GP surgeries

•  A waymarked ‘round Bath’ promoted walking network

•  Working with schools and education providers to encourage outdoor learning and develop skills

"We are thrilled to see the official launch of Bathscape – all thanks to National Lottery players. Bath’s green setting is world famous and constitutes an integral part of its World Heritage City status.Through these 25 projects we want to conserve the heritage of the landscape but also to create ways for many more people to enjoy, understand, engage with and benefit from this amazing asset. Along with more than 100,000 people, the area is home to a huge variety of wildlife, features of historic, geological and archaeological interest and abounds with cultural history. Over the next five years we will be encouraging people to join us in helping to protect, and enjoy, our stunning local landscape.”  

Notes to editors:

About the Bathscape Landscape Partnership

The Partnership’s vision is to ensure Bath and its setting are better recognised, managed and experienced as a landscape city, with the surrounding hills and valleys enhancing the World Heritage Site and actively enjoyed by all. A greater number and wider range of people will feel connected to their local landscape and inspired to explore the outstanding built and natural environments, improving health and wellbeing.

A Landscape Partnership development grant of £176,800 was awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in November 2016 to enable the Bathscape Partnership to develop its plans and seek final approval for the full five-year grant

The Bathscape Landscape Partnership is led by Bath & NE Somerset Council with partners, National Trust, Bath Preservation Trust, University of Bath, Bath Spa University, Curo, Wessex Water, Visit Bath, Avon Wildlife Trust, Cotswolds Conservation Board, Federation of Bath Residents Associations and The Woodland Trust. The Partnership is supported by other bodies and organisations including Natural England, Historic England, Wiltshire Council, Joint Local Access Forum, Bath Natural History Society, Bath & Counties Archaeological Society and Bath City Farm.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Thanks to National Lottery players, the HLF invests money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk.

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