A planning application has been submitted to renovate the historic garden formerly known as The Willows, at The Space Centre.

The Grade II listed garden is located on the corner of Pedders Lane in Ashton-on-Ribble.

The applicant seeks to repair and restore as much as possible of the original garden layout, to ensure the overall integrity of the early 20th century scheme is maintained.

A significant element of the proposal is to remove barriers to access in the garden that prevent or dissuade disabled people from visiting, enjoying or learning about its historical significance.

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The development proposals include: seating next to footpaths with space for wheelchairs alongside, an access ramp to connect a walk to the Herb garden and the Tennis Lawn, recreation of the Herb and Parterre garden, lawn drainage, planting, erection of a storage shed, rainbow tunnel and tree removal and replacement.

To improve accessibility there are also plans to replace loose gravel footpath surfaces with resin bonded aggregate; taking up and relating uneven natural stone slabs; and replacing damaged natural stone slabs on step treads.

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On behalf of the applicant, agents ReLandscapeLtd, said: “The garden is to be used by the Creative Space Centre as an outdoor resource to support the indoor multi-sensory environment and provides general recreation for disabled users of the Centre and also for their carers and family.

“It will also be used to strengthen the Centre’s links with the local community through events held in the garden.

“The continued use of volunteers, in particular Kirkham Prison Garden Enterprises, to support the maintenance of the garden will add value by helping with resettlement and opportunities to carry out unpaid employment.”

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