Plan for parks to go public

Residents could help shape plans for a multi-million pound overhaul of Lichfield parks.

People will be asked for their views on revised proposals to restore areas such as Beacon Park and the deteriorating Remembrance Gardens.

Lichfield District Council is submitting a £4 million bid in March to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards the scheme. Successive lottery bids towards the scheme have failed - the last Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) application was withdrawn and delayed by a year.

The plans have been scaled down and changed to reflect advice given to the council in July by the HLF. Plans for the areas around Lichfield Cathedral and St Chad's Church have been slashed from the scheme. The council is calling for people to see and comment on the new proposals, to maximise their chance of success.

Lichfield District Council development services leader Neil Roberts said: "Lots of people have given us their views over the past year which have helped us to get our bid to this stage.

"However it's really important that people come along to see the revised plans and tell us what they think of them.

"We know that residents and visitors get lots of pleasure from Lichfield's parks and if our bid is successful, the improvements will make them even more attractive and user-friendly."

The Garden of Remembrance, Beacon Park, Museum Gardens and Minster Pool will be rejuvenated, if the lottery bid is successful, along with Stowe Pool.

Changes to be carried out will include a cafe extension to the pavilion in Beacon Park, new changing facilities and a bowls pavilion, as well

The plans will be on display from January 15 to 21 at the Lichfield Garrick at Castle Dyke, Lichfield District Council reception in Frog Lane and Donegal House in Bore Street.

They will also be available for viewing at King Edward VI and Friary Grange leisure centres in Lichfield. Or they can be seen at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/historicparks from January 15.