Plans to reflood castle mere are floated again
PLANS to reflood the mere at Kenilworth Castle’s could become a serious consideration if councillors can get funding for a feasibility study into the proposals.
Warwick District Council could add the move to its long term plan following an agreement to look into funding the study and explore the possibilities of restoring the castle grounds to how they were back in the 13th century.
Up until now the ambitious proposals have been simply wild dreams for the town, but they could soon become much more substantial if approval to fund the study goes ahead.
To reflood the grounds would be a huge undertaking and cost millions of pounds and the proposals are still only being considered for their potential in the very earliest stages.
Cllr Richard Davies, vice chairman at Warwick District Council, said the return of the mere was, in principle, part of the council’s forward plan, but as yet nothing had been set in stone.
He explained: “A feasibility study is being sought to determine whether it is physically possible to achieve this without harming other aspects of the town or its environment but it is still nothing that will be happening anytime soon.
“Basically it is about establishing a base camp. None of us know what that study will conclude but many of us hope that it will demonstrate and prove that given sufficient funds the idea is viable.”
Bodies including English Heritage, the town and county council and the Heritage Lottery Fund will all be involved in the consultation process to set the ball in motion and gauge an idea of how the move could work in reality.
Earlier this year, students at Warwick University were approached by the council to produce a thesis into the possibilities, and they came up with this image of how the mere could look (see right).
Their report divided the town with many keen to see the castle restored to its former state but with others branding the ideas as impractical or a waste of public money.
The impressive mere was created by King John and in 1266 played a significant part in the Siege of Kenilworth Castle during the 2nd Barons War. But the water was drained after the execution of Charles I when an Act of Parliament was passed to make sure the castle’s defences were destroyed.
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Weather for Kenilworth
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South west
