Plans to restore Fulham Palace Gardens and Bishops Park
A 'beach' could return to Bishops Park when a giant sand pit is built as part of plans to restore the park and the grounds of Fulham Palace.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council is applying for Heritage Lottery Fund's Parks for People programme for assistance with the restoration of Bishops Park and the ground of Fulham Palace.
If their funding bid is successful, a river walk will be built, the mature planes close to the banks will be thinned out and the shrubs were cut back to open up views of the river.
A footpath will be created through Fielder's Meadow, and the park's changing rooms will be removed. Landscape settings and lakes will be restored as a feature, and a 'Fulham Beach' will be created with extensive sand pit area.
The pitch and put course will be reinstated, and tennis courts and pavilion restored in partnership with Queen's Club. The Palace's Moat Garden will be restored to its 1920s character. The wilderness area of Bishops Park will be enhanced and managed for wildlife and biodiversity. Bluebells will be planted close to the moat.
In the Fulham Palace gardens, the vinery, bothy and hotbeds will be restored in partnership with Garden Organic as part of the restoration of the walled garden. This will create a functional kitchen garden capable of supplying produce for Fulham Palace.
Roger Weston from Bishop's Park Co-ordinating Group said: "Generally I think there was a lot of good stuff in the consultation day.
"I am pleased to see that the lottery bid plans are very much in line with what was discussed with us.
"There may be issues that need resolving like the tennis courts lights but with dialogue and a bit more detail and consultation I'm sure we can get a solution that benefits local people."
Emma Midgley
November 30, 2007