Priory Park to receive HLF boost
Multi-million pound plans to transform a key Dudley park have moved a step closer to reality after the award of £110,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG).
This money will help develop an application of £1.8million for this ambitious project.
The funding will see exciting plans for Priory Park, which went out for consultation at the start of the year, come to fruition. Dudley Council and the Friends of Priory Park are celebrating the news which could see flood lighting installed at the old Priory and the establishment of an arboretum.
Other works could include the planting of tree avenues, the introduction of a teen shelter, repairs to path surfaces to allow better access, resurfacing of the five-a-side football pitch and bowling green and the demolition of the old toilet block and installation of new facilities.
Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environment and culture, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have received this funding promise which will see Priory Park improved and transformed for the benefit of the local community. It is great news, following on the back of the HLF and BIG funding for the Wren’s Nest caverns project, and proves these are very exciting times for Dudley.”
Following the successful first stage bid, the council will initially receive around £100,000 to help produce detailed plans of the scheme. The detailed plans will then be submitted to complete the bidding process before physical work can begin on the park.
The works carried out through the HLF/BIG bid will follow on from a range of improvements at the park that were carried out with the recent Liveability funding which enabled the tennis courts to be refurbished. It also follows the Transforming Your Space programme which funded the multi-use games area and play area extension.
Janet Alderman-Rowe, committee member of the Friends of Priory Park, said:
“This is fabulous news as the funding will enable us to continue the improvements that have been made to the park over the last few years. There has been considerable effort from the friends group working with the council and we are very excited about the proposals and look forward to seeing them become a reality in the near future.”
Anne Jenkins, head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said:
“We’re delighted that Dudley Council has been given the green light to develop its exciting plans. Heritage lottery money has already played a vital role in the renaissance of the UK’s parks for more than a decade but there is much more to be done. This scheme is designed to get the local community really involved and to ensure a much-improved environment and standard of living for all those who use the park.”
John Taylor, Big Lottery Fund head of the West Midlands region, added:
“This investment comes at a time when healthy living is on the top of the agenda and our parks play a vital role in improving well-being, the environment and community life. This funding is a tremendous starting point for plans to transform Priory Park into a community space that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.”
Multi-million pound plans to transform a key Dudley park have moved a step closer to reality after the award of £110,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG).
This money will help develop an application of £1.8million for this ambitious project.
The funding will see exciting plans for Priory Park, which went out for consultation at the start of the year, come to fruition. Dudley Council and the Friends of Priory Park are celebrating the news which could see flood lighting installed at the old Priory and the establishment of an arboretum.
Other works could include the planting of tree avenues, the introduction of a teen shelter, repairs to path surfaces to allow better access, resurfacing of the five-a-side football pitch and bowling green and the demolition of the old toilet block and installation of new facilities.
Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environment and culture, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have received this funding promise which will see Priory Park improved and transformed for the benefit of the local community. It is great news, following on the back of the HLF and BIG funding for the Wren’s Nest caverns project, and proves these are very exciting times for Dudley.”
Following the successful first stage bid, the council will initially receive around £100,000 to help produce detailed plans of the scheme. The detailed plans will then be submitted to complete the bidding process before physical work can begin on the park.
The works carried out through the HLF/BIG bid will follow on from a range of improvements at the park that were carried out with the recent Liveability funding which enabled the tennis courts to be refurbished. It also follows the Transforming Your Space programme which funded the multi-use games area and play area extension.
Janet Alderman-Rowe, committee member of the Friends of Priory Park, said:
“This is fabulous news as the funding will enable us to continue the improvements that have been made to the park over the last few years. There has been considerable effort from the friends group working with the council and we are very excited about the proposals and look forward to seeing them become a reality in the near future.”
Anne Jenkins, head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said:
“We’re delighted that Dudley Council has been given the green light to develop its exciting plans. Heritage lottery money has already played a vital role in the renaissance of the UK’s parks for more than a decade but there is much more to be done. This scheme is designed to get the local community really involved and to ensure a much-improved environment and standard of living for all those who use the park.”
John Taylor, Big Lottery Fund head of the West Midlands region, added:
“This investment comes at a time when healthy living is on the top of the agenda and our parks play a vital role in improving well-being, the environment and community life. This funding is a tremendous starting point for plans to transform Priory Park into a community space that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.”