Have your say on draft masterplan to transform one of Cheshire East’s parks

Cheshire East Council is inviting residents to have their say on a draft masterplan for Macclesfield's Victoria Park.

The draft plan sets out several proposals to transform the park over the coming years – making it a park that is fit for the future, while bringing its history to life.  

Proposals include planting new trees, installing a bold new main entrance sign, creating a versatile and attractive outdoor performance space, installing new play equipment and signage, creating a community garden and orchard and restoring the park's Victorian railings.  

To make sure the proposals reflect the needs and aspirations of the local community, the council is inviting residents to share their views.

Councillor Laura Crane, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and waste, said: "Through this masterplan we want to celebrate Victoria Park's rich history and give residents and visitors to the town an enhanced space to spend time.  

"We have included a number of proposals which we believe will work together to inspire more people to get outdoors – having a positive impact on their mental and physical health and wellbeing – while increasing the park's sustainability and encouraging biodiversity. 

"This plan is very much ‘aspirational’ and we may not be able to progress all the proposals. However, we hope that by working with the community and other partners, we will be able to turn as many of them as possible into reality. 

"I would encourage residents to share their views so that they can help shape our plans and help us to understand how they see their park developing in the future." 

The Friends of Victoria Park community group works with Cheshire East Council and the authority’s environmental services company, Ansa, to help maintain and improve the site, as well as encourage its use by the local community.

Group secretary Simon Harris added: “These new proposals, put out for consultation, offer fantastic opportunities for the improvement of the park.

“All those with an interest in the park are encouraged to engage positively in this period of consultation, so that plans can be advanced.”

The draft masterplan is on display at the main entrance of the park and is also being shared via the council’s social media channels: www.facebook.com/CheshireEastCouncil and twitter.com/CheshireEast

Feedback from residents, which will help the council to decide which priorities to focus on and will feed into the final version of the masterplan, can be given by emailing: parks@ansa.co.uk

The deadline for comments is Friday 26 February.

Over the coming year, the council will be working to bring forward further draft masterplans for some of the borough's other major parks, as part of its municipal parks strategy. 

Cllr Crane added: “Improving our green spaces, including planting trees, enables us to enhance and protect the natural environment of our borough, while helping to offset carbon emissions.  

"These are priorities of our environment strategy and carbon neutral action plan.”