Curo has secured planning consent to create a new park at its development of almost 700 homes at Mulberry Park in Combe Down, Bath. Now, the housing association and housebuilder is asking local residents to get involved in a competition to find a name for the new community open space.
This is the final major planning application to be determined by Bath & North East Somerset Council for Mulberry Park, after the fourth and last phase of development was granted detailed planning permission in July this year.
Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, said, “Local residents, stakeholders and B&NES officers have helped us to develop and refine proposals for a new park that is beautiful, inclusive and can be enjoyed by people of all ages; we’re delighted to be able to start works on the public open space soon.
“We want to continue the tradition we’ve established at Mulberry Park, of celebrating the area’s history, its people and their contributions to community and country and we’re inviting residents once more to choose a name – this time, for their new park.
“The development was named by local resident Ken Cookes in 2014, to reflect the city’s long military history and celebrate the Mulberry Harbours, designed in Bath by the Admiralty and used for the D-Day landings in World War II – while the streets in Phases 1 and 2 at Mulberry Park have been named after the young men of Combe Down who served in the First World War. We’re keen to continue working with the residents in naming these new local landmarks.
“So if you have an idea for a great name for the park, we’d love to hear from you!”
The new park will include an equipped play area for ages 2-11, as well as a picnic zone, flexible event spaces, areas of wildflower meadow, sensory planting, and hedge and tree planting to encourage biodiversity. Curo will also look at developing a centrepiece for the park, such as a bandstand, to support cultural activities.
In addition, footpath links will facilitate access to the park from the development and the wider area, while the Woodland Walk, which will be created north of the park, will connect the community to other places in Bath via Pope’s Walk.
The park, which was granted planning permission by B&NES officers via delegated decision, will open in 2022. The case officer’s report highlighted that ‘the proposed park will provide an attractive area of public open space with a mix of uses and activities which will cater to the needs of the newly established community at Mulberry Park.’
If you have a name suggestion for the new park, Curo would like to hear from you – the winning name will receive £100 in shopping vouchers.
Submit your proposed name online, at www.curo-group.co.uk/name-the-new-park or send your ideas together with your name, age, contact details and one sentence explaining the story behind your suggestion by Saturday 30 November to:
Curo
Communications Team – Name the new park
The Maltings, River Place
Lower Bristol Road
Bath BA2 1EP