Grant to revive city park's life

One of Plymouth's oldest parks is set to get a new lease of life.

Plymouth City Council has been awarded £40,600 of Lottery cash to work with a number of other bodies to draw up a conservation plan for Devonport Park.

The plan will provide the basis for the long-term restoration of the area, which has been a park since 1858.

Once military land, the War Department agreed to it becoming a park for people living in Stoke and Devonport. Planning work will begin in October.

'Turning point'

Future plans include designing road safety improvements around the park to improve access to the park from surrounding homes, workplaces and schools.

A Park Friends Group will be set up to encourage community involvement.

Councillor Peter Smith said: "This marks a turning point in the park's long history.

"We can start looking at developing plans to restore the park for today's communities, while respecting, conserving and improving its proud and important heritage."

The cash has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.