Park plans go back to drawing board

A plan to improve a Black Country park must start again from scratch because delays left parts of it out of date, it is claimed.

Friends of Mary Stevens Park, in Stourbridge, say that the original consultation is now years old.

They argue it does not take recent works into account and claim an increased workload forced Dudley Council to shelve the plan for months – leaving parts outdated. Now the group says it has to start a second consultation to bring the plan put forward to the council up-to-date.

Some original ideas – such as improvements to the pond, bandstand and repairs to all gates at the beauty spot – will carry forward.

But there will be additions, including a scheme to build a sensory garden for people with disabilities.

New suggestions made by residents in the second consultation will also be added.

Some work including such as improvements to the children's play area have already been carried out.

Friends group chairman Councillor Mike Attwood said progress had been made on plans for a park cafe.

"But I am aware it seems plans for the other improvements have gone quiet," the councillor continued.

"In terms of the original plan time has just passed us by. It was left on the backburner for too long and parts of it, such as the previous consultation findings, were just out of date.

"Over the time there have also been changes to funding applications which need to be addressed," he said.

But Councillor Attwood said Dudley Council had assured him the project would be given full support.