£2.5m Stafford park revamp moves a step closer

Some £800,000 was recently set aside by the borough council for improvements to Victoria Park.

If the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) approves the remainder of the £2.5million needed for the transformation, work could start next year.

The authority has appointed a specialist team to work with council officers on surveys and undertake consultation with residents, community groups and other organisations.

They will also work up detailed proposals to be submitted to the HLF as part of the latest phase of the scheme.

The improvement work will concentrate on the historical section of the park, which boasts a bowling green and aviary, along with features such as the Mottram Shelter and County War Memorial. The River Sow runs through the centre.

An initial consultation last year showed people were keen to have an enhanced cafe, construct a better aviary and have a centre for learning about horticulture.

Previous draft designs included an improved entrance to the park, a new covered seating area overlooking the river and bandstand, and improvements to the Edwardian path, historic structures and toilet facilities.

The scheme would see enhanced landscaping across the park and restoration of listed structures and ornate railings. Victoria Park has been awarded the Green Flag emblem – marking it out as one of the best parks and open spaces in the UK – for the last eight years.

In 2011 the council transformed the play area, which has proved a big success with families. It was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by online travel review site, Trip Advisor, for its customer feedback earlier this year.

The council has set aside around £800,000 and is aiming to get another £1.7m from the HLF to go ahead with the work. Parks are a priority for Lottery bosses, who have awarded more than £620m across the UK, with the Big Lottery Fund joining them to invest a further £80m in England.

The Environmental Partnership has been commissioned to work with the council on the plans. They have previously worked on the largest lottery-funded project, and most visited heritage attraction – St Fagans National History Museum in Wales. Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for leisure, said: "It is great to hear we are entering the next phase of a very exciting project.

"Victoria Park is one of the jewels in the Stafford crown and we want to ensure it will continue to be a beautiful haven."