Council looks into stopping vandalism (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Council looks into stopping vandalism

AN AMBITIOUS scheme to eradicate vandalism from Malmesbury's Cloister Gardens and create a new outdoor performance venue are being investigated by the town council.

Councillors are exploring plans to fence off the gardens after daylight and introduce a programme of improvements that would see the space used for drama or musical productions.

The initiative has already attracted interest from students and tutors at Lackham College who are considering taking on the transformation as a potential design project.

If the fencing is erected, it is hoped it will eradicate what has been a consistent problem with vandalism, particularly during the hours of darkness.

Town councillor Harry Clarke, with the help of Cllr Ray Sanderson, has reviewed the site and reported back to the council's leisure and youth committee on the proposal.

While the concept has been well received by many key players, the main stumbling block could be fencing off the footpath that runs from the Old Bell Hotel to the entrance to Abbey House Gardens.

The path is a public right of way and any plans to close it off at night would have to be sanctioned by the county council's rights of way department.

The leaseholders of the Cloister Gardens, Barbara and Ian Pollard, Wiltshire Police's crime prevention officer, the Old Bell Hotel management and the community safety partnership have so far backed the plans to erect railings.

English Heritage is also happy, providing archaeological interests are properly addressed, as is Malmesbury School's head of drama and Malmesbury Concert Band.

Cllr Clarke said: "Various people have confirmed interest in using the site if we made a decent job of it.

"The main thing we have to do is sort out the right of way, which is currently open twenty four seven but we want to fix that so it's only open during daylight hours."

Ranalagh Gates has quoted £4,083 for supplying the railings, with painting and installation costs estimated at £300 and £600 respectively.

The town council has £7,000 in its budget to complete the work, if it approved by the county rights of way officers, English Heritage and the dictrict council's planning department.

Cllr Clarke added: "The timetable is really fixed on getting the approval about the right of way."