A public meeting which is being held next week will give members of the local community in Twickenham the chance to find out more about plans for a major restoration project at Marble Hill House and Park. 

The meeting, which is being hosted by English Heritage, is taking place on Tuesday 4 July, from 7pm – 9pm at Orleans Park School and will be an opportunity for the public to learn more about the charity’s Marble Hill Revived project and share their views on the proposals. 

English Heritage hopes to make a series of £6m improvements to Marble Hill House and the surrounding parkland. Plans include opening up a new area of the park and making an additional acre of land accessible to the public, as well as upgrading the sports facilities, improving the quality of the pitches and introducing changing areas for women for the first time. 

There are also plans for new facilities to be added such as a children’s play area and café, and the introduction of a local events programme which would see small scale events such as outdoor theatre performances and yoga workshops take place in the park.

Other proposals include opening Marble Hill House to the public for free five days a week, seven months a year and restoring the lost 18th century Pleasure Grounds, a small but historically significant area of Marble Hill.  

Kate Pitt, Audience Development Manager for English Heritage, said: “Marble Hill is a much-loved space for both locals and Londoners, young and old, to relax and play. However it has seen little investment since the 1980s and we’re really excited about this opportunity to open up the house and transform the park into one of the best and most beautiful spaces in London.

“We know how valued Marble Hill is in the local community – it’s an area of tranquillity with natural wildlife habitats, and is also a hugely popular dog walking area. As well as re-energising the house and park we also want to protect these features which are treasured by locals for them and future generations to enjoy. 

“If you would like to find out more, or share your views, then join us on the evening of Tuesday 4 July at Orleans Park School at our public meeting.”

English Heritage has received development funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund through the Parks for People project in support of the Marble Hill Revived plans and the organisation has just submitted a second round application in order to secure further funds. 

The public meeting will take place on Tuesday 4 July, 7-9pm at Orleans Park School, Richmond Road in Twickenham, TW1 3BB. For more information about English Heritage’s Marble Hill Revived project, visit: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/marblehillrevived.

Article supplied by Abbie Connell-Smith