A HOUSING developer has agreed to donate resources and time to get a community-led project moving forward.

Lovell, the developer awarded the contract to build over 900 new homes for the Army Basing Programme on Salisbury Plain, has agreed to help the The Great War Commemoration Group (TGWCG) with the vital groundwork needed to get underway the plan to renovate the Rose Garden in Ludgershall into a memorial garden commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War.

The group plan on turning the currently grassed garden opposite Ludgershall War Memorial into an easier to care for, resin paved area, with a large poppy at the centre of the design.

Two commemorative benches, one representing each World War, will also be in the garden.

Nicola Schneider, community relations manager at Lovell said: “Lovell is committed to leaving a lasting legacy for the communities we work within.

“With this in mind we are happy to be working with the Ludgershall Great War Commemorative Garden Committee.

“We look forward to supporting the Ludgershall residents realise the regeneration of the Rose Garden into a garden space which will celebrate the veterans of Ludgershall and provide a modern garden area which the Ludgershall community can enjoy for years to come.”

The garden has snowballed into a community project, with people across Ludgershall contributing. Shawn Smith, the landlord of The Crown Public House is fundraising to contribute the large poppy centrepiece, which will cost between £600 to £800.

Commemoration group chairman Peter Unwin said: “Shawn is also sure he has got on board a number of local tradesmen that will actually do the preparatory work on the block paving. I would liken it to a DIY SOS sort of scenario.

“We are looking for any kind of contribution, from businesses and individuals in some way shape or form. Whether that is a raffle prize or money or anything.”

Donations can be made in person at the collection box at Down the Chippie or online at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ludgershallrosegarden.