Victoria Park revamp plans

Bold plans to regenerate Victoria Park have edged a step closer - but the whole scheme hinges on council chiefs securing a multi-million pound grant.

Authority bosses have submitted a planning application to transform the green space, including plans to repair the Grade II-listed Hubert Fountain and build a new children’s slide.

But the scheme depends on the council securing £4.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund - and authority bosses will have to wait until July to find out if their bid has been successful.

If it is granted, the redevelopment will see the construction of a new community hub as Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has applied to build an extension to the existing nursery building.

The new hub would house the nursery, public toilets, cafe with outdoor seating and a flexible events space.

The adventure play area is also set to be transformed and a general clearance of the site would be carried out - including the removal of overgrown trees and shrubs.

The council also has plans to install a dirt track for teenagers, a sensory garden in the current site of the secret garden and a long grass area for a maze project.

An eye-catching new tower slide could also be erected within the redevelopment.

ABC says a volunteering team would be formed in order to take care of the site’s maintenance, including long-term vegetation clearance and the replanting of trees.

Nesting boxes and log piles could be placed along the River Stour to enhance wildlife and a timber dipping platform and seating area could be erected along the river.

ABC plans to install new CCTV cameras and add a total of 17 car parking spaces, including two disabled bays, to the site.

Cllr Mike Bennett, portfolio holder for culture, said: “The regeneration of Victoria Park is an ambitious and exciting project that will boost the areas natural beauty and heritage as well as encouraging people to value, enjoy and care for their local park.

“Victoria Park and Watercress Fields are unique, and this funding will ensure the park continues to play a meaningful role in the life and fabric of the town.

“We look forward to working with our community and key partners to develop the plans in more detail.”

ABC has already been awarded a £167,000 grant to help with its bid, but the authority will find out in the summer if its application for the full funding has been successful.

The money comes from a £40 million Heritage Lottery Fund pot given to 13 parks and cemeteries across England and Wales.

To view the plans, visit www. ashford.gov.uk and search for the 19/00054/AS application.

The deadline for public comments is March 11.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup. co.uk

Victoria Park could receive a multi-million pound boost and, right, how the eye-catching tower slide could look

How the cafe could look and, right, the Hubert Fountain is to get revamped