Fairhaven Lake secures National Lottery Grant to aid restoration

10 January 2017

Fairhaven Lake and gardens has been successful in securing a development grant of £165,500 from the Parks for People programme which is a joint initiative between the Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund, in order to help with the much needed restoration of the iconic lake and gardens.

Situated on the Fylde Peninsula of the Lancashire Coastline between Lytham and St Anne's, historic Fairhaven Lake and Gardens is one of the borough's most popular attractions.

The park consists of a 10-hectare marine leisure lake, historic gardens laid out by Thomas H Mawson and Sons, a wide range of sport and recreational facilities together with a traditional lakeside café. The site plays host to the RSPB Discovery Centre on the gateway to the Ribble Estuary, one of the most important sites for birdlife in Europe and a designated Ramsar site.

The centrepiece of the project will be the restoration of the café, the oldest and most
historically significant building on site, together with the creation of an interpretation hub, new classroom facilities, improved sailing and sports facilities, improvements to the lake and the restoration of historic landscape including the nationally significant Japanese Garden.

The Parks for People programme is run by the Heritage Lottery Fund and BIG Lottery Fund, and since it first started to invest in parks and open spaces in 1996 over £850m has been awarded across the UK. Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of Heritage Lottery Fund said, on behalf of HLF and BIG: “Public parks play a vital role in our health and well-being. With this investment from National Lottery players there’s real opportunity for a rejuvenated Fairhaven Lake to deliver huge benefits to the whole community.”

Cllr Sue Fazackerley, Leader of Fylde Council said: “The award of this grant reflects the effort and skill of the Parks Department at Fylde Council in their preparation of the various bids and the good will of Fylde residents and the volunteer groups in their support for the bids. 

Fairhaven is a great local facility, loved by generations of both locals and visitors alike.  It desperately needs some TLC and, thanks to the Parks for People grant, will be getting just that.”

Cheryl Little, Chairman of the Tourism and Leisure Committee for Fylde Council added: “As both T&L Chair and Fairhaven Ward Councillor I am absolutely thrilled we have been able to secure this funding – it is a well-deserved albeit late Christmas present which will benefit not only Fylde residents but the hundreds of visitors who flock to the lake.

Heritage is one of the motivations for many visitors to Fairhaven and will continue to play a significant role in promoting Fylde as a tourist destination”

Allan Oldfield, Chief executive of Fylde Council said: “‘We are delighted that the council has been successful at this stage of the process and we will now be focusing all our efforts to secure the Lottery funding that will transform this historic landmark into a park for the people of Fylde and thousands of visitors who enjoy the lake every year.”

The Council has 18 months to work up the development proposals for the restoration of the Lakes historic buildings structures and landscapes, with a final decision expected by the Heritage Lottery Fund in December of 2018. If successful, works will commence in the summer of 2019 and we encourage the whole of the Fylde community to get involved and ensure this restoration project is a success.

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