- Area:
- South East England
- Programme:
- Parks for People
- Release date:
- 15 4 2009
As spring finally arrives, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG) today announced that Mote Park in Maidstone is on track for a major transformation after receiving a £124,500 grant to back their exciting regeneration plans.
The development funding for Maidstone Borough Council to kick-start its £2.5million scheme has come from HLF and BIG’s ‘Parks for People’ programme*.
Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Brian Moss, said: “This is exciting and welcome news. The Park is a real jewel in the heart of Maidstone used by thousands of people each year. Now that the finance is in place Maidstone’s people can look forward to plans which allow better access and better recreational facilities whilst enhancing the unique nature of this huge open space.”
Mote Park is one of the largest public parks in the South East region, with the scale and character of a country park. Its proximity to the centre of Maidstone makes it a very popular place for local communities to visit.
Project proposals to restore the park to its 1870s glory include repair and conservation works. The poor condition of the lake will be addressed, alongside works to the early 19th century waterfall and its header pond. Plans also include a scheme to plant about 400 new trees to replace ones lost since WW2 due to Dutch Elm disease, the 1987 storm, military damage during the war and also to rectify inappropriate 20th century tree planting.
Improvements will be made to modern visitor facilities too, with the establishment of two new local ‘sub-centres’ in the northeast and southeast corners of the park providing play areas, toilets, parking and provision for catering. Vehicle access will be regulated to avoid the present dangerous mix of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Footpaths and cycle paths will be repaired and extended, including the creation of new pathways around the lake and bridges to replace the deteriorating causeway. There are also plans for a new viewing/seating terrace on the lake-facing side of the café.
The park already benefits from an active Friends Group and project proposals include ways to create opportunities for other people from the local community to get involved in caring for the green oasis. There will be opportunities for park users to have their say on the proposed plans and to volunteer to help with park surveys, monitoring wildlife and carrying out conservation works. This will create a great opportunity for individuals to pick up new skills.
Chairman of the Friends of Mote Park group, Michael Yates, echoes the views of the former Mayor, Cllr Tyrwhitt Drake in 1928. Michael said: “Mote Park is a jewel in the crown of Maidstone. The bid for the Park will ensure that the future of this wonderful asset will be preserved for all the residents of Maidstone, in perpetuity.”
Head of HLF in the South East, Michelle Davies, said: “The wonderful thing about the UK's parks is that they are as much a part of our lives as they were for the Victorians who created them. However, time takes its toll and many parks need a helping hand to be restored to former glory. Today’s news will do just that, giving a boost to the transformational plans for Mote Park so that local communities can enjoy this beautiful green space for generations to come.”
Alison Rowe, Big Lottery Fund Head of the South East region, said: “The Big Lottery Fund is pleased to be part of the renaissance of our public parks. Today’s funding is a tremendous starting point for plans to make significant improvements to Mote Park that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.”
Further Information
For further information, please contact Samantha Goody at the Heritage Lottery Fund on 020 7591 6033
Email: samanthag@hlf.org.uk
Out of hours: 07870 581599
Helen Harch at the BIG press office on 020 7211 3707
Email: Helen.harch@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Out of hours: 07867 500 572
Notes to Editors
- The Parks for People programme has a two-stage or two-round application process. At the first stage or round, an organisation can apply for a development grant to contribute to the costs of developing the project for a second stage or round application. The full grant is only awarded if the second stage or round application is successful.
- The 13 parks awarded a Stage One Pass with development funding are:
- Cedars Park, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire (£173,000)
- Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham (£181,500)
- Horniman Gardens, Lewisham, London (£71,500)
- Memorial Park, Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire (£24,300)
- Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, London (£295,500)
- The Green, Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria (£106,000)
- Kings Gardens, Southport (£240,000)
- Telford Town Park, Shropshire (£162,000)
- Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent (£124,500)
- Brinkburn Dene's, Darlington, County Durham (£45,200)
- Duthie Park, Aberdeen (£71,500)
- Cambuslang Park, South Lanarkshire (£22,700)
- Brooke Park, Londonderry/Derry (£94,000)
The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. In England two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership (2006-2009) to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks of £150million. Over the three years the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is investing up to £80million (in England only) with £70million coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the UK.
Every completed park project will be expected to achieve the annual prestigious Green Flag Award and in doing so demonstrate quality standards of care and upkeep.
HLF will continue to fund public park projects with an approved investment of some £20million each year from 2009. The next closing date for applications is 31 August 2009. See www.hlf.org.uk for details.
Parks for People programme grants range from £250,000 to £5million with two rounds of funding each year.
Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 28,800 projects, allocating over £4.3billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
HLF has already invested more than £400million in 300 historic public parks, gardens, squares and promenades right across the UK.
Big Lottery Fund
BIG has invested more than £700million on environmental initiatives to date. For more information, visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
BIG rolls out close to £2million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project. The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.
Good Causes
Out of every pound spent on a National Lottery ticket, 28p goes directly to good causes. BIG is responsible for distributing half of the money to improve communities and the lives of people most in need. HLF distributes 16.67% of the money to heritage projects across the UK. There are 12 other organisations responsible for distributing lottery money to good causes. www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
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