That's what Swindon businesses, which have £500,000 ready to spend, told the council after it pulled out of a project to renovate Lydiard Park.

THE leader of Swindon's business community has urged the council not to pull the plug on the multi-million pound restoration of Lydiard Park Country House.

A raft of big businesses across the borough is prepared to throw its weight behind the project and back that commitment up with a contribution believed to total £500,000.

But all that could prove futile if the council decides to pull out of the project and its commitment to funding, which would total around £1 million. If that happens it is likely the project will fall flat on its face.

Dennis Grant, chief executive of the Swindon Chamber of Commerce, said: "The business community is behind this project. Swindon is a cultural desert and the fact we have got Lydiard House, which is recognised as a national treasure, is important to the borough. If the place were not important then English Heritage would not be spending money on the project.

"The New Swindon Company is trying to develop new culture and leisure facilities in the town centre and although Lydiard Park is not in the centre of town, its restoration would aid that process.

"However, I can understand the council's dilemma they don't have a great deal of money and their hands are tied to a certain extent."

A decision on the council's involvement in the restoration of the 260-acre Georgian country house and gardens has been deferred until after chief executive Simon Birch returns to work after his summer holiday.

The council had planned to pull the plug last month, but after a heated 11th hour meeting between business leaders, councillors, English Heritage, the Countryside Agency and West Swindon company Innogy, an agreement to defer was reached.

The bid to restore Lydiard House was started last year when Innogy (formerly National Power) gave £70,000 towards a feasibility study into the £5.5 million project. The council had also intended to apply for a £3.8 million Heritage Lottery Grant, but were mindful of the project 'becoming another Steam'.

Mike Bowden, Innogy company director, said: "Innogy has contributed more than £100,000 in sponsorship towards the project, which has helped improve facilities and encouraged more people to use the park.

"Lydiard Park is a wonderful place for the whole population of Swindon to enjoy and we believe it's a flagship restoration project that could easily set the standard for similar ventures at national level particularly with the breadth of people involved from across the community.

"In addition to the financial help we have put into the project our own staff have been involved as volunteer workers. Lydiard Park has been described as a 'jewel in the heart of Wiltshire' we're pleased the council has decided to defer its decision until September rather than pulling out of the project altogether."

The project includes restoring features like the 18th century vegetable garden and lake, the banks of which collapsed in 1911.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) said: "I'm delighted the business community is enthusiastic about the project. A report will be on the council chief executive's desk when he returns from holiday on August 18."