Liverpool Council has said a collection of exotic plants are “not at risk” after fears they could be relocated.
Community groups and members of the public expressed concerns that the famous Roscoe Botanical Garden, located in greenhouses in the walled garden at Croxteth Hall, could be moved elsewhere. A possible redeployment of local authority staff to other departments led some to fear the rare plants will now be cared for unqualified staff, despite the specialist requirements of the collection.
In response, the West Derby Society prepared an emergency meeting with members urged to show their support for the collection. Liverpool Council used funding awarded during the covid-19 pandemic in 2021 to maintain the staffing of the botanical collection, which ends this month.
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On Monday afternoon, the council sought to quell worries over the future of the plants and confirmed the staffing situation would not be amended. Writing on Twitter, Liverpool Council said: “The council is considering various options to ensure the long-term preservation of the botanic collection at Croxteth, including a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
“These options include plans for the restoration of the glasshouses at Croxteth Walled Garden, so that the precious collection can be showcased in the home it deserves. In terms of the staffing and maintenance of the collection, we can confirm that existing arrangements will remain.
“The council would like to reassure residents that the plants are not at risk.” Stephen Guy, chair of the West Derby Society, said the collection needs “specialist attention” to survive and called on the council to be “proud of this great cultural and scientific asset, not treating it like something nasty locked away in the attic.”
Mr Guy also intended to make a personal plea to King Charles, owing to his own love of horticulture. Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member climate change and environment, said he studied at Myerscough College - who took over the running of staffing of the collection in 2012 - and was pleased the situation had been resolved.
He added: “I am delighted we have protected the funding so that we can continue to invest in Croxteth Park and make the botanical collection a national treasure which people travel to see. The council are exploring investment opportunities, looking at Heritage Lottery funding to see the Walled Garden glass houses refurbished so that Liverpool's Botanical Collection has the home it deserves.”
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