Tue, 26 June 2012
Scaffolding has gone up in Gunnersbury Park as maintenance work begins on several of the historic buildings thanks to a £250,000 investment from Hounslow and Ealing councils and English Heritage.
The 16-week programme of priority repairs is a first step towards preventing further deterioration of the museum, small mansion and lodge buildings. Repairs will be carried out on the roofs, chimneys, rainwater guttering and downpipes, as well as to some of the structural timbers and external walls.
Councillor Colin Ellar, deputy leader of Hounslow Council and lead member for Gunnersbury Park, said: "Gunnersbury Park is a real asset for our community. The works taking place over the next few months will preserve the buildings that are most at risk and turn them into places that can be used by the community. The repairs to North Lodge will allow it to be used as volunteer base and outreach centre.”
These priority repairs form the initial stages of a 15-year master plan for Gunnersbury Park, with the councils submitting two bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund for grants to fund further improvements. A decision on the first bid of £4.7million pounds will be announced at the beginning of July.
Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council and lead member for Gunnersbury Park, said: “Ealing Council has already committed £5million to the park and if we are successful in gaining this grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Gunnersbury will be transformed for future generations to enjoy.
“We would like to thank English Heritage for helping us complete the initial surveys on the historic buildings at Gunnersbury Park and for contributing the repair grant of £149,000.”
For more information on the project, visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/gunnersbury