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Welcome to Fulham-sur-Plage
Ruth Bloomfield10.11.09
This is the first image of plans to create central London's only permanent urban beach.
It is part of an £8million project, unveiled today, to renovate Bishop's Park and the adjoining grounds of Fulham Palace.
The centrepiece of the scheme is a beach next to Bishop's Park ornamental lakes - more than 100 years after bathers first spread their towels there.
A beach opened at the site in 1903, and visitors could relax on sand transported from Margate and other beaches in Kent.
During the Second World War the venue fell into disrepair and by 1949 it was considered such a safety hazard it was closed.
Sixty years on, Hammersmith and Fulham council chiefs hope to revive it. The council is applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £3.65million to help pay for the project.
Frances Stainton, cabinet member for parks, culture and heritage, said: "Both Bishop's Park and Fulham Palace grounds are of huge historic importance to the borough and these plans will see them reaffirmed as jewels in the Hammersmith and Fulham crown."
The project also includes renovating the lake and its ornamental bridge leading to an island. Three play areas and a community building will be added.
A walled garden will be created in the grounds of Fulham Palace and its stables turned into an education centre.
The Fulham Palace moat will be partially excavated and filled with water. The moat has not been in use since the Twenties when it was filled in at the request of the Bishop of London, who lived at the palace.
