The fate of the Mazda fountain hangs in the balance this month as a rejigged Valley Gardens scheme goes up for debate.
The landscaping part of the scheme is due to be discussed by city councillors on June 27, and if a good enough business case for keeping the fountain is not put forward, it could be scrapped.
The original plans for Valley Gardens didn’t include the fountain, but following a public outcry, Labour made an election pledge to save it in 2015.
However, both Conservatives and Greens were then in favour of removing it – and the Tories say they will only now reconsider if they’re satisfied there’s enough money set side to restore and run it.
And their votes could be crucial as they could vote with the Greens to lose the Mazda against Labour’s wishes.
Leader of the council Warren Morgan said: “There was a clear message from over a thousand residents two years ago that the Mazda Fountain is a valued part of our heritage. It’s been restored using donations and just today I’ve passed on a generous offer of help to officers leading the Valley Gardens project.
“There seems to be a willingness on the part of the opposition to reconsider their previously stated position in response to the considerable amount of work done to revise the project over the past two years, and I welcome that.”
Conservative Cllr Lee Wares said: “They’re now saying that there’s money in the Valley Gardens budget to restore and maintain and run the Mazda Fountain.
“Our position is that if Labour are putting together a business case that makes sense, we might very well support it. We will give it a very good hearing.
“The assurances we are after is that this isn’t going to become some folly. We don’t want to find ourselves in a position where it’s become a fountain that only works intermittently but can’t be properly maintained or properly run.”
Sarah Lewis, who started a petition two years ago to save the fountain which was signed by more than 1,000 people, said: “A great many people will be outraged should this fountain go. It’s a beautiful sight when you come into the city centre. Removing part of Brighton’s heritage is a travesty and shame.”
However, it seems likely the Greens will continue to support removing the fountain to make way for improved water features next week. Cllr Leo Littman, the Green’s environment and transport spokesman, said: “Yet again the Labour Council has found another excuse for their total lack of action on major projects.
“The Valley Gardens improvement plan was handed to the Labour council on a plate by the outgoing Green administration with all the necessary funding in place.
“Almost two years later they have made almost no progress with the project. Instead of seizing an opportunity to transform the city centre, Cllr Morgan has yanked on the handbrake and would rather focus attention on the Mazda fountain as an excuse for their inaction.
“Does the Labour council actually care about improving our city? Valley Gardens could be a wonderful tranquil centrepiece for Brighton and Hove, full of greenery and improved water features. Sadly whilst Labour drag their heels, residents and visitors are left choking on traffic fumes.”
Could somebody tell Cllr Littman that being the main Arterial rd into the City it would never be tranquil.As for Sarah Booker Lewis,I gave her the opportunity to help seek funding but She decided after 3 months She was too busy to follow it up.