An area of unspoilt farmland which Bath residents believe saved the city from flooding during Storm Dennis could be protected for generations to come.

Plans to spend millions of pounds transforming Bathampton Meadows into a Park and Ride site serving the east of Bath were shelved in 2017, after fierce opposi- tion from the public.

Now B&NES Council is in talks with the National Trust about an asset transfer to protect the land in future, with an unusual deal which may not require the Council to fund its maintenance.

Scores of photos have been posted to social media in the last few days of the land covered in water. One local, David Higgs, said on Twitter the meadows had become ‘Bathampton Lake’, while others spoke of the land ab- sorbing the huge amounts of rainfall, preventing the cen- tre of Bath facing a ‘deluge’.

The future of the meadows would have looked very different if massive public opposition failed to convince the Council to drop its plan for a new Park and Ride.

The Council only owns

some of the land, but it has been revealed that another landowner is also negotiating with the National Trust, meaning more of the meadows could be protected.

Mr Guy told the Bathavon North Forum meeting on February 17th: “This is a new policy for the National Trust. Traditionally, they’ve taken on old houses, they want to diversify their portfolio.

“The National Trust are extremely interested and the administration want to give it to them.

“They want you to decide what happens to the land. They want to ensure it is accessible for people.

“Sarah Warren and I want to create cycling routes to town to create a people’s highway, but it’s not being imposed in any way.”

Asked if there were plans to improve the drainage of the meadow, Mr Guy said: “The community have been vindicated by not allowing a Park and Ride here.

“The meadow has been doing its job soaking up a lot of water that would have been in the city centre or flooded the other side of Bath.”

Millions of pounds were spent on plans for a Park and Ride to serve the east of Bath before public opposition forced the previous Conservative administration into a U-turn in July 2017. More than 6,000 people signed a petition to stop the development.

The 125-year-old charity has the unique statutory power to declare land “inalienable,” meaning it cannot be voluntarily sold, mortgaged or compulsorily purchased against the char- ity’s wishes without special parliamentary procedure.

Environment and Design Manager, Mark Minkley, told the forum: “I would be very surprised if the National Trust pulled out. This fits with their new vision.

“They recognise there are opportunities to improve the habitat and make it better for people.

“We’re hoping by the spring or summer we’ll get to a decision.

“The National Trust are committed to having a series of workshops with the community to work out what the priorities are for the land.”

New urban garden centre to

support people’s growth

A new horticultural scheme to help adults is putting down roots at B&NES Council’s nursery in Royal Victoria Park.

Work started this week on the new social enterprise which will provide horticultural therapies and qualifications to help change the lives of people who have difficulty finding employment or have low-level mental health issues.

The Urban Garden will be run by the Bath-based community interest company (CIC) ‘Grow Yourself ’ from a site facilitated by B&NES Council at Marlborough Buildings.

The space will provide the setting for a garden centre where the public can buy plants, most of which will be grown on site by people who have particular needs, such as being socially isolated.

The Urban Garden will provide training in horticulture by offering City and Guilds qualifications and offer six-month work placements in the garden centre, giving them the skills needed to move into employment or further education. Profits from plant sales will be reinvested, allowing it to offer more training and work placements in the future. The Urban Garden will open for sales to the public at 11 a.m. on 28th March.

??Stephen Sumner, LDRS