by Pete Hayman | 18 Jul 2008

A plan to revive Durham's historic Riverbanks Gardens will be put forward at a public meeting later this month.

Durham City Vision has drawn up proposals for the restoration of one of the city's most iconic landmarks, situated on the banks of the River Wear.

A bid is being prepared to secure funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the ambitious landscaping project, which will be fully revealed at the meeting on 24 July. Plans include the reopening of old pathways, woodland management and the eventual opening of a visitor centre at the five-hectare site.

Access will also be improved beneath an ancient bastion which once defended Durham's cathedral and castle, while other remaining built monuments such as the Count's House and the Ice House will be given a facelift.

Harvey Dowdy, regeneration manager at Durham City Vision, said that the project could cost up to £5m depending on a number of options that are available to "provide a backdrop" to the city's World Heritage Sites, attracting both locals and high-end visitors.

An initial period of capital works is expected to take around three years, before a further seven years of development work. "We're looking to have finished by 2023," said Dowdy. "So it is a long-term plan."

The gardens, dubbed the Hanging Gardens of Durham, became a popular Durham attraction during the 17th century, attracting visitors such as Walter Scott and William Wordsworth. Since the early 20th century, however, the gardens fell into a state of disrepair due to a lack of maintenance.

The gardens are situated on land with a variety of owners, all of whom Durham City Vision will be in consultation with throughout the project. One of those, Durham Cathedral, is also undertaking woodland management on land next to Riverbanks Gardens having received a separate HLF grant of £49,900 for the work.

A plan to revive Durham's historic Riverbanks Gardens will be put forward at a public meeting later this month. Durham City Vision has drawn up proposals for the restoration of one of the city's most iconic landmarks, situated on the banks of the River Wear. A bid is being prepared to secure funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the ambitious landscaping project, which will be fully revealed

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