Home News Public meeting called to discuss future of Lydiard

Public meeting called to discuss future of Lydiard

6 March 2018

A public meeting has been called on Sunday 11^th March at 2pm at the Lydiard Park Academy, to discuss the future of Lydiard Park and House. The meeting will be held in the sports hall of the Lydiard Park Academy.

The meeting has been organised by Labour’s Lydiard & Freshbrook Candidate, Neil Hopkins. It has been called to explain to residents the latest news regarding Lydiard and, most importantly, to let residents have their say over what they want for the future of Lydiard House and Park.

Neil has formally invited the new Cabinet Member for Lydiard, Keith Williams, to attend the meeting to outline the Council’s position and to hear residents’ views.

The last public meeting on Lydiard in January 2016 sparked more than 400 people to attend: http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/14202015.Lydiard_lease_process_to_be_given_three_month_break_following_public_meeting/

Labour’s Lydiard & Freshbrook Candidate, Neil Hopkins, said,“Over two years have passed since the last public meeting on Lydiard and some residents are understandably confused about the current status and prospects of this much-loved asset. Since then the Council pursued an agreement with the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust to run the park and then backed out, the Lydiard Conference Centre is closing and the Council has been accused of significantly downplaying the level of investment needed to meet the backlog maintenance issues at Lydiard House.

Since the Council announced they were pulling out of the Lydiard Heritage Trust deal there has been an awful lot said through the media, but nobody has actually asked what residents want for Lydiard. It is their country park after all. That is why this meeting will be a great opportunity for residents to air their views and ask questions of the political parties.

I have invited the Cabinet Member for Lydiard to attend this meeting or, if he is unavailable, nominate another Conservative Councillor to attend. They will be able to explain the Council’s position and take note of residents’ views. I sincerely hope that they attend.”