Plans to regenerate a popular waterfront area and 'well used' park is exactly what an East Midlands town needs, residents say. The plans for Long Eaton's West Park, and along the Erewash Canal, form part of an award of £24.8m from the Government for the town's Investment Plan
The project is one of seven projects within the town's transformation, with the plans are currently under consideration. The waterfront development would include a seating area to enjoy the park, as well as facilities for refreshments and to launch small watercraft.
The events space will allow for a wider variety of events along with more car parking spaces. Park goers in the town say the plans for the ‘well used’ West Park are needed and will ‘brighten’ the space up.
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Joseph Blake, who usually walks his dog in the park, told Nottinghamshire Live that residents would appreciate an additional space to the park. The 48 year old said: “I think it’s needed. This park is well used and I think many would appreciate something new. I think with the water, it will be good, especially during the summer. It’s something the town needs, we have lost a lot.”
The Erewash Borough Council has said the plans for the project on the park should benefit residents by providing an abundance of new employment opportunities.
Sheila Statham, 84, who has lived in Long Eaton her whole life, said that it would brighten the park up. She added: “I think anything to make it feel more comfortable for people. Myself, I quite like the look of it, it’s rough and ready. We are very lucky to have this.
“I think so, to brighten it up. People will come if they can shelter and watch the wildlife. There’s a lot of wildlife on here, swans and squirrels. People like to come and look at the birds, people want somewhere to sit and watch.
The 84-year-old added: It’s somewhere nice. And it’s being used more now than it’s ever been used. We are really lucky to have this facility.”
The town's funding also involves the redevelopment of the former Galaxy cinema, on Derby Road. The proposals for the redevelopment includes commercial units fronting Derby Road, 16 flats and four new town houses.
The town houses are proposed to front on Oxford Street, behind the cinema. Vehicle access will also be from Oxford Street which will lead to a courtyard and 27 parking spaces.
Another resident who visits the park, Natalie Bowley, told Nottinghamshire Live that it’s a positive bringing more into the town. The 34-year-old said: “It’s really good if it brings business and people to the area. There’s not much in Long Eaton. It needs something that brings in more people.”
Kerrie Walters, 32, who was walking her two dogs, said that it’s welcomed due to the lack of things going off in Long Eaton. She said: “I think it will be good. But what I think would be nice is the splash thing for the kids, I think it would be good to have one for dogs. They’d love it.
“There’s not a lot going off in Long Eaton really, so anything to make the days less boring.”
Richard Ledger, chairman of the Long Eaton Town Board, says: "These projects may still be in the early stages but when they come to fruition they will provide improved leisure and recreation facilities for residents.
"The leisure hub would also attract more visitors to the park and the town as a whole."
The council says the plans for the park, which is on the edge of the town centre off Wilsthorpe Road, will be delivered in two parts. The first would involve the development of "a stunning waterfront alongside the Erewash Canal, including an area for seating to enjoy the park, as well as facilities for refreshments and to launch small watercraft."
The second part of the project includes an improved events space, which will allow for a wider variety of events, with more car parking space to help encourage more people to visit the park more often. "This is just one part of the exciting proposals for the Long Eaton Town Deal," Mr Ledger adds, "and we look forward to making improvements to the town that can be enjoyed by everyone.”
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