A PETITION calling for plans to lease Lydiard House and Park to be stopped has already gathered 1,000 signatures.

Campaign group Friends of Lydiard Park set up the petition as part of its opposition to Swindon Borough Council’s cost saving measure.

The historic park and house are currently subsidised to the tune of £450,000 a year according to council chiefs who are looking to find an organisation to take on a new lease.

They say the current financial climate means it is not possible to keep paying that every year and also believe whoever takes over could invest in the park.

But there has been a strong reaction in some quarters, with many arguing Lydiard should be kept in council control as there are other ways of finding the savings.

A petition has been set up and if it manages to reach 1,500 signatures then it means the topic must be debated at the next full council meeting.

It reads: “Lydiard House and Park is a unique and hugely valued heritage asset used by thousands of Swindon people and visitors to the town.

“Swindon Borough Council is proposing to hand over the day to day management and control of Lydiard House and Park to an external commercial organisation which will seek to take profit from the site.

“Swindon Borough Council say they are doing this to eliminate Lydiard's annual running cost. The Friends of Lydiard Park believe this can be done without handing over the town's 'crown jewels'.”

The move has also been supported by the local Labour Group.

Leader Jim Grant (Lab, Rodbourne Cheney), said: “The Labour Group fully endorse the petition that the Friends of Lydiard have initiated calling on the Council not to hand over Lydiard Park to the commercial sector.

“We have also written to the Leader of the Council and the Friends of Lydiard setting out the Labour Group’s position on Lydiard Park and have called on the four urgent actions to take place by the Council.”

Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Haydon Wick), the cabinet member responsible for Lydiard, says the council will make sure the move does nothing to harm the popular attraction and is the only way to secure investment.

Speaking following a public engagement session, he said: “We can’t keep paying out this level and people know that but this is not just about getting rid of the subsidy. It is about getting investment for Lydiard so it can survive for future generations.

“We are not going to agree to anything which damages the heritage, like sticking a great hotel in the middle of the park, but we are looking at options which could enhance the park.”

The petition can be found by visiting: www.change.org/p/swindon-borough-council-lydiard-house-and-park-at-risk.