Minister for Heritage on HLF funding

Thank you for your email of 02 December 2008 to the Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, regarding your concerns with the position taken by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in relation to the proposals for the building of a new bridge and road in Bute Park, Cardiff. I have been asked to reply.

I understand that in June 2006, the HLF Trustees awarded a Stage One, development funding of £115,000 to Cardiff County Council for the restoration of Bute Park. This was followed in March 2008 by a Stage Two main award of £3,123,000 to enable the Council to restore the Park through conservation and interpretation work which would include a new build educational facility and an on-site horticultural training programme.

The £3.1 million grant awarded by the HLF to Cardiff County Council to restore Bute Park does not include funding for the design, planning or construction of the new access bridge and road into the Park which forms the subject of current public concern. However, HLF is conscious that the success of its grant award to the project is dependent on the successful integration of all forms of physical and intellectual access in the Park. In this respect, they have asked Cardiff County Council to provide ongoing evidence of their commitment to consult and involve the public, community and conservation groups in the project, to ensure public support for this project, and the future of the Park heritage.

HLF takes very seriously the public concerns which have arisen since the summer of 2007 and have discussed with Cardiff County Council the apparent lack of dialogue with stakeholders and park users on this issue. Direct involvement by the public in their heritage is one of HLF’s strategic priorities, so it is crucial for the proposed plans to restore the Park that there is a comprehensive programme of public consultation. As part of its monitoring of the grant to the Council, HLF continue to keep this under review.

Whilst the Welsh Assembly Government has responsibility for developing the policy framework for the HLF in Wales, it remains at arms length from the day to day regulation and operation of HLF. Should you wish to contact the HLF for further information or clarification, they can be contacted at;

The Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales

Suite 5A,

Hodge House
Guildhall Place,

Cardiff,

CF10 1DY

Tel: 029 2034 3413

Email: wales@hlf.org.uk

I hope that you find the information provided useful.

Yours Sincerely

Mark A McConkey

Department for Rural Affairs and Heritage/ Yr Adran Materion Gwledig a Threftadaeth

ffôn/tel: 029 2082 6041

ffacs/fax: 029 2082 5119

Minister for heritage e-mail: alunffred.jones@wales.gov.uk