With more than £1.5 million already set aside for a major transformation to Stone’s Westbridge Park, senior councillors will discuss the spending and timelines next week.
A report will be released tomorrow, 30th September, detailing the leisure proposals for the town and we look forward to seeing an end to the endless promises of the Westbridge Park re-development when other parks in the borough undergo significant investment and development.
At next week’s meeting, members of the council’s cabinet will be asked to give the go-ahead to spend the money on improved facilities for youngsters, including:
- A multi-use games area
- Wheeled sports provision
- Outdoor gym equipment
- Public toilets
- Picnic and seating areas
- Enhanced pathways and landscaping
- Local event space
- Retention of the existing football provision
The report we’ve been told says that the park is the gateway to Stone Town Centre and sets out proposals for ‘an exciting destination park and major improvements in the leisure offer for the town and its surrounding communities,’ complementing the leisure centre and swimming pool which opened on the site in 2019 as part of a £9 million scheme – the largest single investment ever made by the borough council.
The cabinet will also hear that the huge transformation would encourage more people using the neighbouring Trent and Mersey Canal for narrowboat holidays to stop and visit the town – with a boost to the local economy.
A topographical survey of the park has already been carried out and designers are finalising plans which will be available to the public soon.
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Councillor Carolyn Trowbridge, said she wanted to ensure the transformation of Westbridge Park continued the local authority’s ‘excellent’ track record of improving popular destination parks – such as the £400,000 refurbishment of Charnley Road and £435,000 revamp of Holmcroft Park in Stafford recently.
Now cabinet members will be told that more than £1.5m will be spent on the transformation of Westbridge Park as part of an overall pot of over £2.4 million for leisure improvements in the town.
Councillor Trowbridge said:
“This will be a first-class destination park which will attract families and children, residents and visitors, old and young, to enjoy the facilities and the surrounds of this park.
“It is a key element of our overall leisure, tourism and visitor offer for Stone, with ready access to the canal and the town centre, providing accessible walking and cycling routes linking together the town’s key assets and supporting our objective to support and grow the visitor economy as well as supporting local businesses and providing a high-quality outdoor environment designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.
“The park also provides an important space for events, including the annual Food and Drink Festival – and the design incorporates this important space and the existing football provision.”
She continued:
“Over the last 18 months we have seen how important good quality parks are to people’s mental and physical health and we want to ensure Westbridge Park is no exception – with facilities to attract visitors whether that be to play, relax, exercise, meet up with others or attend events.”
“The borough council has an excellent track record in producing wonderful parks that are well loved and used by the community. I am looking forward to seeing the final designs for Westbridge Park soon.”
The report reveals funding for the project has been boosted through money the borough council receives as part of developments in and around Stone, known as Section 106 funding. This is money set out in planning approval for things like new housing estates and is intended to improve facilities and infrastructure across the town.
An outline of funding for other leisure facilities such as the town’s Stone Hockey and Rugby Club and Alleyne’s School is also included in the report to the cabinet.
The full report will be available from the council’s website from Thursday, and we wait to see the details to understand what’s going to be on offer and what the timescales will be – Cabinet | Stafford Borough Council (staffordbc.gov.uk)
