I thought I’d quickly share some good news about the future of Forest Lane Park, which is that officers who have been working on getting some Heritage Lottery Funding have been successful in getting to the next stage. (I will be keeping in touch with them to make sure that residents’ ideas and views are at the centre of the design process – I know that there was a consultation meeting but also some concern about how much residents were able to take part.) For now though, some much-needed good news.

This is the email which I received:

‘I’m delighted to let you know that we have been successful in obtaining a development grant for the works to improve Forest Lane Park!

HLF have put out their press release today so I am finally able to share the news – Restoring Forest Lane Park for people and nature | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The development phase will enable us to continue to work with you all to develop final designs for the proposed improvements, we will then be required to submit another application to unlock the delivery fund of just under £1million.

There are a number of tasks that we need to complete ahead of starting work, including appointing a design team which could take until the end of this year.

I will keep you updated along the way and really look forward to working with you as we take this project forwards.’