Have your say on park proposal

step closer and I’m keen to see work starting as soon as possible.”

The council has stated that the “huge transformation will 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.”

The work is set to complement 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.

Residents and businesses are being invited to comment on plans that have now been submitted for the transformation of Westbridge Park in Stone.

A planning application for the play areas, wheeled sports facility and multi-use games area was submitted to Stafford Borough Council by contractors, Ground Control, last month.

A spokesman for the council said: “As part of the planning process people will have the opportunity to give their views on the proposals before a decision is made.

“The work will also see toilets, picnic and seating areas, enhanced pathways and landscaping with key space for local events and existing football provision incorporated in the design.

“Work on the park is expected to start in April with a completion date earmarked for October.

“Ground Control, an award-winning construction firm, will be carrying out the projectwith the wheeled sports facility to be built by specialists Bendcrete - who have delivered around 400 skate parks across the country.”

Councillor Carolyn Trowbridge, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Stafford Borough Council, said: “The submission of the planning application is another step on the way to delivering a fantastic park that local people could be proud of.

“This is a very important project that will benefit families, residents and visitors for years to come.

“It is great to see the scheme moving another

Cllr Trowbridge continued: “Westbridge Park is such a key part 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 highquality outdoor environment designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.

“It also provides an important space for events - with the final design incorporating this and the existing football provision.”

Some of the funding has come from money the borough council receives as part of developments in and around Stone.

Cllr Trowbridge added: “I want to ensure the transformation of Westbridge Park continues our excellent track record of improving popular destination parks in the borough - such as the £400,000 refurbishment of Charnley Road and £435,000 revamp of Holmcroft Park in Stafford in recent years.”

For more information go online to: www.staffordbc.gov.uk/westbridge-park-adestination.