'Neglected' historical parks deemed at risk

Wensum Park nestles between Drayton Road and the river

Two "once elegant" historical Norwich parks blighted by anti-social behaviour and neglect could thrive again after being added to a heritage at-risk register.

Wensum Park, off Drayton Road, and Mile Cross Gardens, off Suckling Avenue, were both created in the 1920s with distinctive pavilions, stone pergolas and landscaping - all of which have seen better days.

They are now among just four parks and gardens deemed by Historic England as in danger of being lost, with the hope it will highlight their plight and trigger the funding boost they desperately need.

"It's really important we protect these sorts of assets for future generations," said Emma Hampton, deputy leader of Norwich City Council.

"They're really valued by residents and park users, by the wider city and beyond, as an important part of our history and culture, and they're aesthetically really pleasant to look at.

"This is a really good step towards getting the attention and building that strong case that we need to get the investment needed, beyond what council budgets can realistically provide."

Mile Cross Gardens' boarded-up pavilion has damp and structural issues

Both parks formed part of the city's pioneering social housing scheme after World War One and were created by a labour force of mainly unemployed veterans.

The smaller Mile Cross Gardens was designed as a green space for the families on the estate, while Wensum Park originally included swimming facilities, formal rose gardens, terraced riverside walks and woodland areas.

"Long-term underinvestment due to declining resources has left each site's historical features severely deteriorated," said Historic England, which keeps a Heritage at Risk Register.

"The Mile Cross pavilions have damp and structural problems, while the stone pergola bases are all that remain of the once-elegant garden features.

"Wensum Park has lost its original fountain and pool and its shelter is heavily vandalised.

"Both parks suffer from neglect and anti-social behaviour."

The council is already considering bids for funding for its historical parks as part of a 10-year strategy for improvements.

Wensum Park's pavilion originally looked out on to a fountain