Decision details

As part of the River Restoration proposals, the Bedminster Green project team intend to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for £249,000 to deliver the ‘People’s Malago Project’ to work alongside the broader RR to create a more natural river environment, which is more visible and engaging to the community, whilst also retaining and restoring some historic features.
The People’s Malago project will deliver a series of physical improvements which otherwise will be funded through SCIL. These improvements will return the riverbed to that of a more natural river, contribute towards the delivery of a stepped seating amphitheatre area and boardwalk, improve accessibility and restore a historic industrial penstock and channel walls.
To ensure that a greater diversity of people become involved in the natural and industrial heritage the People’s Malago Project will also include an extensive programme of heritage learning and engagement activities. These activities will be delivered in partnership with Acta Community Theatre (acta) and Bristol Avon River Trust (BART); two trusted local community organisations, and will focus on local community action and learning. Activities proposed include a youth theatre programme, a film project, an art trail, upskilling of knowledge and skills in ecological and habitat management of the river and community volunteering and action. Without the HLF funding, there is no other funding source known or identified that could support these heritage learning and engagement activities.

Approval for the HLF application and its contents for submission to support the delivery of the River Restoration and People’s Malago project.

Option 1 - Funding for the physical improvements proposed as part of the People’s Malago Project will otherwise be delivered through SCIL (approx. £197,000). The physical improvements are essential as part of the wider River Restoration project and must be delivered. No funding sources other than SCIL or this HLF application have been identified to fund the physical improvement works. Not submitting this HLF application will result in an opportunity to save approx. £197,000 of SCIL being lost.
Option 2 - Without the HLF funding, there is no other funding source known or identified that could support the People’s Malago Project heritage learning and engagement activities. Not submitting this HLF application will mean the heritage learning and engagement activities don’t happen.
Option 3 -