A group of Nottingham residents have taken an important step in their fight to reopen a "gem" park that became an eyesore after it was closed. The Ropewalk rest garden in the city's private Park Estate , which is also known as the Bay of Biscay park by locals, was locked up by its private land owner in 2020 after being left in "disarray". The small park nestled between The Ropewalk and Newcastle Drive had been popular, but its freeholders the Hooley family decided to shut the area to the public after it was allegedly used as a toilet by taxi drivers and as a drug-taking spot.
However, the residents of the Park Estate are now a step closer to buying and reopening the park, after Nottingham City Council accepted a nomination for it to become an 'Asset of Community Value' on August 20. The Hooley family previously said they would be open to selling the "precious piece of land" so it could "bring joy to everyone", and the new status for the park will give Nottingham Park Residents’ Association an opportunity to prepare and make a bid. The association, which represents the estate's 3,000 residents, said the closure of the park after more than 100 years was a concern for its members.
Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp "Since it was closed all meaningful maintenance has ceased and the space has become overgrown and neglected, as well as used by people to drop litter and waste," chair Mike Siebert told the city council. "This has created an eyesore.