- Area:
- West Midlands
- Programme:
- Parks for People
- Release date:
- 15 4 2009
Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG) have announced that Telford Town Park is one step closer to a major transformation after receiving a £162,000 lottery grant to back their exciting regeneration plans.
The stage one development grant has come from the HLF and BIG’s ‘Parks for People’ programme*, and will enable Telford and Wrekin Council to work up plans for their stage two £2,135,000 application.
Cllr Stephen Bentley, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Telford & Wrekin Council is delighted to have secured the Lottery funding to improve Telford Town Park. The new investment means we can move ahead with our plans to develop the park. These include new heritage and ecology trails, picnic areas and viewing platforms. All these activities will really help enhance the park for generations to come and demonstrate the Council’s commitment to preserve this wonderful asset in the heart of the borough.”
These exciting plans for Telford Park, which are part of a £3.7million overall scheme, have come to fruition after a community consultation process which began in 2004. It was established in the 1970’s by Telford Development Corporation to provide an area of green space in the heart of the ‘new town’. The site is closely linked with the industrial revolution and the regeneration plans aim to link both the historic and ecological heritage as a distinct feature for visitors.
The Council’s proposals will also complement the £250million Telford Town centre redevelopment and the Council’s Borough Towns Initiative to regenerate the borough’s towns and district centres.
Their vision for the park is to enhance and sustain the park as both a local and regional green space of significance, a place for relaxation, inspiration, exploration and adventure, and to encourage greater participation and learning for all through its heritage, diversity and culture.
Key aims and improvements include: improved access and signage for visitors including information boards and maps; an Ecology Trail and a Heritage Trail to provide educational opportunities and improve the central and northern areas of the park; and the creation of community spaces offering new vantage points overlooking the vast 150 hectare landscape. In addition to these developments, the industrial heritage of Telford Town Park, which contains Stirchley Chimney - part of a wider smelting site, will have improved interpretation and complement Ironbridge World Heritage site and Ironbridge Museum located at the nearby valley complex.
Anne Jenkins, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said: “We’re delighted that Telford and Wrekin Council has been given the green light to develop its exciting plans. The UK’s parks are wonderful places that in many cases need a helping hand to help return them to their former glory. Today’s news will do just that, and enable local communities to see, enjoy and experience the hidden gems of Telford Town Park.”
John Taylor, Big Lottery Fund Head of the West Midlands region added:
“Today’s funding is a tremendous starting point for plans to transform Telford Town Park into a community space that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. There are some fantastic improvements being planned for this park and we’re pleased to be able to play a part in preserving its future.”
For further information
Vicky Wilford HLF’s press office on 020 7591 6046
Email: vickyw@hlf.org.uk
Out of hours mobile: 07973 401937
Helen Harch at the Big Lottery Fund on 020 7211 3707
Email: helen.harch@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Out of hours: 07867 500 572
Notes to Editors
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 £80 million (in England only) with £70 million coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the UK.
* 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-round application is successful.
Two West Midlands parks have received full stage two awards:
- Lichfield: Beacon Park, Minster Pool and Gardens of Remembrance - £3.9million grant
- Coventry: War Memorial Park - £2.8million grant.
Parks for People programme grants range from £250,000 to £5million with two rounds of funding each year.
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 £20 million each year from 2009. The next closing date for applications is 31 August 2009. See www.hlf.org.uk for details.
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 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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