16/01/2024 - Council awarded grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore popular park lake

Restoration of the lake will help preserve the Wardown Park Grade II Listed landscape and the park’s cultural and historical significance. The project aims to restore and repair the main structure of the lake. It will improve its biodiversity with the introduction of new planting and wetland habitats and the boathouse will be upgraded. There will be a focus on natural management and sustainability of the lake by taking account of the River Lea watercourse and catchment that feeds it. There will also be an extensive activity programme for park users.

Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, portfolio holder responsible for parks and Leader of Luton Council said, “We’re delighted to receive this support thanks to National Lottery players. Wardown is one of our most loved parks. It has served the community for over 100 years and we hope the engagement programme will encourage even more visitors.

“Restoration of the park helps deliver our Luton 2040 targets which are included in the Heritage Strategy to protect and preserve heritage including the aspiration to deliver a River Lea Linear Park. I could not be more pleased that we are able to restore the lake and preserve this heritage landscape.”

The development funding will help the council progress its plans to apply for a full Heritage Fund grant of a potential £2.5m at a later date.

National Lottery Heritage Fund grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. The project has initially been granted round one development funding of of £274,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award.

As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. 

Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.

The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are. 

The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy. 

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Find out more about the Heritage Fund - www.heritagefund.org.uk.