The team appointed to undertake the major transformation of Westbridge Park in Stone has been announced. 

Ground Control, an award-winning construction firm who has recently completed the Children’s Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, will be carrying out the around £1.5 million project. 

A planning application for the scheme, which includes junior and toddler play facilities, a multi-use games area and wheeled sports facility is to be submitted in the coming days with the major works expected to begin on site in April - and a completion date earmarked for October next year. 

The work will also see toilets, picnic and seating areas, enhanced pathways and landscaping with key space for local events and existing football provision incorporated in the design. 

The wheeled sports facility will be built by specialists Bendcrete - who have constructed around 400 skate parks across the country. 

Councillor Carolyn Trowbridge, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Stafford Borough Council, said she was excited by the detailed designs and very keen to see work getting underway as soon as possible and thanked everyone who had given feedback during the previous consultations. 

People will have another opportunity to comment on the final designs when the planning application is submitted.   

She said: “This is a very important project that will benefit families, local people and visitors for years to come. I am really keen to see work starting as soon as possible but as we have seen from successfully delivering several major projects, the process to ensure we have everything necessary in place takes time and careful consideration.” 

The council has said the huge transformation will encourage more people using the neighbouring Trent and Mersey Canal for narrowboat holidays to stop and visit the town - with a boost to the local economy.  

The Local Authority said the work will complement the leisure centre and swimming pool which opened on the site in 2019 as part of a £9 million scheme - the largest single investment ever made by the borough council. 

Cllr Trowbridge continued: “Westbridge Park is such a key part of our overall leisure, tourism and visitor offer for Stone, with ready access to the canal and the town centre, providing accessible walking and cycling routes linking together the town’s key assets and supporting our objective to support and grow the visitor economy as well as supporting local businesses and providing a high-quality outdoor environment designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors alike. 

“It also provides an important space for events - with the final design incorporating this and the existing football provision.” 

Around 40 per cent of the funding for Stone Leisure improvements has come from money the borough council receives as part of developments in and around Stone. 

Councillor Trowbridge added: “I want to ensure the transformation of Westbridge Park continues our excellent track record of improving popular destination parks in the borough - such as the £400,000 refurbishment of Charnley Road and £435,000 revamp of Holmcroft Park in Stafford in recent years. 

The latest design and more information can be found on the council’s website at Westbridge Park - A Destination | Stafford Borough Council (staffordbc.gov.uk)

Press Release No 5983