16 February 2012
Cambridge City Council and the Jesus Green Association with support from the Conservators of the River Cam submitted a stage one application to the ‘Parks for People’ programme, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG), at the end of August 2011.
The project included work to regenerate the Rouse Ball Pavilion to create a community facility and café, improvements to the path network, drainage and community and training activities.
The city council received confirmation from the HLF and BIG on 6 January that the bid had unfortunately been unsuccessful owing to the high demand for requests for funding received through the programme.
Both the Jesus Green Association and the city council are committed to resubmitting the application in time for the end of February deadline.
Projects to improve both the tennis courts and play area will be progressed during 2012 regardless of the outcome of the revised submission.
Cllr Rod Cantrill, Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places, commented: “The council is very disappointed that we were unsuccessful with the bid to enhance the provision of facilities at Jesus Green, one of the city’s key public open spaces.
“We are committed to work with Jesus Green Association, other key stakeholders and residents to explore all options available to enhance the open space.”
Peter Constable, Chair of Jesus Green Association, said: “Whilst we are naturally disappointed with this outcome, we are looking forward to working closely with Cambridge City Council to make an even more competitive revised application to HLF and the Big Lottery Fund.
“This will include more attention being given to the interpretation of the origins of the green and a tighter focus on more imaginative community involvement. This new joint bid will be submitted by the end of February.
“The Jesus Green Association believes that the basic improvements to the green outlined in the bid are essential and the least that residents and visitors can expect. We intend to succeed in bringing them about one way or another.”
