A brand new biodiversity-focused park will be created by South Gloucestershire Council at the former Warmley Pitch and Putt golf course to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee, having been chosen by local people.
The council allocated £500,000 through the budget earlier this year to boost biodiversity and nature recovery in the community whilst celebrating HRH Queen Elizabeth’s remarkable, 70-year reign as monarch.
The council-led aims for the new Jubilee Park include:
- A space accessible for everyone, well connected and considering pedestrians first
- Focus on biodiversity and nature recovery – a space for nature to thrive
- Protecting plants and trees and existing biodiversity
- Responding to the impacts of climate change
- Responding to the needs and priorities of the local community
- Ensuring that space is safe to use, stimulating and relaxing
- Good amenity facilities (such as paths, seating, waste bins, signage & interpretation)
- Improvements that will help drive other enhancements across the local area.
The council offered three options to choose from in the Cadbury Heath area – as well as Warmley Pitch and Putt, there was also Banjo Island and Tarzan Park listed as possibilities.
The public consultation was held to tie in with the Jubilee week celebrations – running from May 30 to July 11 – and the council received nearly 200 responses. The most popular choice was the Warmley site and work will now begin to develop the plans for a new area where people can enjoy nature – as well as boost biodiversity – with a wildflower meadow and new trees part of the proposals.
Councillor Rachael Hunt, cabinet member responsible for communities and local place at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “To mark this year’s Platinum Jubilee and celebrating Her Majesty’s historic reign as Monarch spanning 70 years, we have committed £500,000 from this year’s budget to create a new Jubilee Park to be enjoyed by the people of South Gloucestershire. The new park will also serve as a fitting tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh who was passionate about nature and protecting the natural environment.
“I’m delighted that a location has now been chosen with help from local people and we can now begin progressing our plans for the open space. Since 2015 our total investment in public open spaces and local sports facilities has been almost £14 million, and our aim is for even more people to benefit from active lifestyles and to enjoy the nature we are lucky to have on our doorstep in our area.”
