NEW plans are being drawn up for the sensory garden in the King George V playing field.
The sensory garden – located on the right-hand side of the park, adjacent to Lowbourne – was originally proposed in 2019 as part of the town council’s plan to revamp the town’s main park. Work has been under way since 2020 to develop the area, with native bulbs, shrubs and trees planted, and a raised wildflower bund created.
However, according to the town council’s head of operations, Hugh Davies, construction of the path around the park has caused drainage problems in the sensory garden, causing waterlogging that has impacted the growth of the trees, shrubs and bulbs planted there.
Now, in a bid to finish the project, Melksham Town Council has asked its parks working group to produce a list of ‘must haves’ and ‘desires’ for the area, so contractors can be asked to tender for the job.
The council has suggested a budget of up to £80,000 for the sensory garden, which will be taken from the remaining budget for the King George V improvements. According to the town clerk, Linda Roberts, around £300,000 remains from the original £500,000 ringfenced for the park.
“We do need to get on with it,” said cllr Jon Hubbard at a meeting of the town council’s asset management and amenities committee. “This is one of those jobs that’s been waiting to be done for three years now, and it’s right that people are getting frustrated – I share their frustration.
“For many of our park users, this sensory garden is as important as the play area/splash pad for our little ones.”
In the original plans for the sensory garden, it had been proposed that the Millennium Mosaic, which is currently in storage, be moved to the sensory garden. There were also plans for an art installation, based on the sense of sound – but this has since been dropped.
The parks working group is expected to report back to the town council’s asset management and amenities committee with their proposal for the sensory garden at their next meeting, scheduled for 23rd August.
