Mansfield: Council gives green light for £3.2m park revamp

The government has provided nearly £3m to improve Berry Hill Park

The £3.2m enhancement of a park in Mansfield has been approved.

New accessible footpaths, two new play areas and a building with a café, toilet and multi-function room will be added to Berry Hill Park.

Mansfield District Council's planning committee gave the proposals the green light on Monday.

Work at the park is expected to begin in April, and it is anticipated the new facilities will be open to the public by spring 2025.

The proposals to improve the park were drawn up following a public consultation in 2022 to identify the key priorities for the site.

A grant of almost £3m from the government's Towns Fund will cover the majority of the costs, with the authority providing the rest of the cash.

Executive mayor Andy Abrahams said the upgrades would make the park a "must-visit" place

Executive mayor Andy Abrahams said the approval marked an important milestone in transforming the 61-acre (25 hectare) green space.

He said: "I am thrilled that we have reached this key moment in bringing forward much-needed improvements to Berry Hill Park, for everyone to use and benefit from.

"This funding is the biggest one-off investment any of our parks has seen, and we cannot wait to get the ball rolling and see these works come forward.

"These new, high-quality facilities will not only help improve the health and well-being of visitors and residents to the park but attract people from across the district and further afield to revisit time and time in the years to come."

'Boost the local economy'

The council said the works formed part of a wider masterplan, which will guide further potential investment should funding become available.

Mr Abrahams added: "We listened carefully to the views offered us through our extensive consultation, balancing the important heritage of the park with the opportunity to hold new events and encourage greater accessibility.

"It is hoped that these new facilities and changes will draw in more visitors to the district, which would boost the local economy."