AMBITIOUS plans are afoot to transform Abergavenny's trio of showpiece green spaces with cash from Lottery funding.

Most of the revamp will concentrate on Bailey Park where some areas are in need of urgent attention, including the 'extremely dangerous' old tennis area and the deteriorating listed park gates which could be lost for good if they are neglected further.

Even the World War One tank might be re-instated and the bowls pavilion completely rebuilt and replaced by a cafe, changing facilities and a hire room for meetings and children's parties.

Linda Vista

Proposed improvements - roping in Linda Vista Gardens and Castle Meadows - have been drawn up by the Team Abergavenny group whose wish list was being scrutinised yesterday (Wednesday) by members of Monmouthshire County Council's Bryn y Cwm Area Committee.

The group's green spaces spokesman Peter Johns said it was too early to discuss the cost element of the bid - but it is reckoned to be much more modest than the six-figure sum quoted when a similar scheme for just Bailey Park was floated at the end of the last century.

The report outlines a 'significant Lottery Funding Bid for a combination of projects' which would make a substantial difference to facilities in the town area.

"Clearly some of the proposals outlined are costly items - and the only way they will get tackled is by means of grant bids," says the report.

It adds, "At present there is little or no local input into how these area are to be managed, especially so in Bailey Park, where there are several established users and several annual events over which the Friends group has no say.

"For grant bids to succeed there needs to be a clear management chain, and that would mean quite a lot more administration work being done locally."

Other Bailey Park projects would be the installation of fitness equipment and 'exercise stations' as well as transforming the old tennis courts with their 'dangerous covering' into a multi-use area with basketball nets.

And not forgetting new benches, modernised public toilets, lighting and the restoration of the gates and railings which 'need attention and painting.'

Danger to public

"The gates are being left to deteriorate. This is not acceptable. There is concern from park users as they could be lost to the town if left any longer," the report stresses.

It also highlights to parlous state of the tennis area which was described as 'extremely dangerous to the public with glass on the ground."

Two major projects are earmarked for Castle Meadows - new signs with some art work to illustrate the seven hills which surround the beauty spot and repairs to the wall next to the Castle Copse with improvements to the Mill Street entrance. This would include better disabled access on the footpath.

"We are conscious that the National Eisteddfod is to be held on the Meadows next year - and it would be good if some of the work can be undertaken by then," the report says.

Sculpture trail

Linda Vista Gardens projects feature new sign boards, more benches and picnic tables, a sculpture trail and refurbishment of the toilet block.

The report concludes, "It is suggested we formulate a grant application to make improvements that are needed, ideally bringing all three areas together to maximise the chance of success."