Help shape the future of the Stoke Park Estate

People in Bristol are being asked to help develop the long term future of Stoke Park.

A consultation is currently underway to create a plan that will protect the park’s important historic and ecological features as well as provide opportunities for people to enjoy the parkland.

The consultation will help the council submit bids for funding, including a £3 million bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, to avoid using core council budgets. This will be used alongside a dowry which can only be used to fund work and activities associated with Stoke Park.
 
Councillor Asher Craig, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Stoke Park is a hugely popular green space within the city, and we want to make sure that people can have their say on its future.

“It is important to balance the conservation of the valuable historic features, with the desire of local people to use the land for recreation.

“The outcome of the consultation will help to prioritise the work that needs to be done and will help the council put in bids for a number of grants.

“We will also consider income generating ideas with money being invested back into the park, so we can make the park financially self-funding.”

Stoke Park is a Grade II registered historic park. It has many important historical features, including the World War II anti-aircraft gun battery, as well as being a diverse and interesting landscape enjoyed by local people for a range of leisure activities. 

Some of the historic features in the park are currently in need of repair and the site is listed on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ register.  The council is working in partnership with a number of other organisations who will help to deliver some of this work.

The proposals put forward have been pulled together from a number of sources including a detailed Conservation Management Plan drawn up by Historic England, previous consultation with users of the park and significant support and discussion with Historic England. 

Some ideas included in the consultation are;
• Replanting parkland trees and reintroducing low intensity grazing to parkland and downland areas progressively over a ten year programme.
• Maintaining and repairing the park’s historic structures (walls, follies and ponds) based on carefully thought-out priorities.
• Creating a new visitor car park and café.
• Restoring historic gravel paths and rides to allow people of all abilities to enjoy the park at all times of the year.
• Providing low level direction and information signage for visitors.

The consultation is now open and runs until February 20. You can have your say here www.bristol.gov.uk/stokeparkconsultation

You can also find out more by attending one of the guided tours or having a look at our open exhibitions.

Exhibitions:
The Hub, Gainsborough Square, Lockleaze – Now until 20 February – 9.30am-3pm Monday-Friday
Central Library – Now until February 20 – 10am-7pm, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10am-5pm Friday and Saturday, 1pm-5pm Sunday (closed Wednesday)

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