Plans to revive a historic parkland on the edge of Norwich, for the general

public to enjoy, have taken an important step forward.

Catton Park was landscape expert Humphry Repton's first paid commission

in 1788 but the former parkland is today a mix of woods and farmland, some of

which suffers from vandalism.  Now a formal approach is being made to the

Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant to prepare a Conservation Management Plan,

so that hopes of creating a 70-acre public space on the city's edge can be

examined in detail.

The proposal is being backed by Andrew Buxton and Norfolk County Council,

who together own the former parkland, and also supported by Norwich City

Council, Broadland District Council and Old Catton Parish Council.

Ken Leggett, an Old Catton resident, is co-ordinating the application.

If the study is approved and comes to a positive conclusion, a full bid would

be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund - although even if approval is received,

a start on work is at least two years away.  Ken Leggett said the possibility of

re-creating the parkland in line with Repton's original vision have been

considered, on and off, for many years.

 A previous proposal had run into opposition because it contained plans to

develop one edge of the site known as the Deer Park for housing - but there is

no housing element to the new project (which does not include the Deer Park).

Mr Leggett's vision is to re-seed the area, with some replanting and more

entrances, creating something similar to Sheringham Park for people to enjoy.

Landowner Andrew Buxton said, "Lack of funds has always been the obstacle

to the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the Park.  The existence of the

Heritage Lottery Fund Grant opens an avenue well worth exploring.”

Derek Turnbull, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council and Cabinet member

for Property, said: "This is an important initiative, but we all know the route in

obtaining Lottery money is often a long and drawn out process. We want to put

the land we own to public use and although much work remains to be done,

I support the concept of what is envisaged entirely."

Michael Loveday, the Norwich City Council’s Director of Spatial Planning with

European and Economic Development, welcoming the concept said: “A worthy

project, and would be of benefit to many local residents and visitors to the area.”

David Thompson, Chairman of Broadland Council and Old Catton Parish Council

commented, “Catton Park is of unique importance as an open space with great

potential as a recreational resource.  We are delighted to be involved”.

Ken Leggett said: "The site is used informally by dog walkers but is also abused

from time to time, with burned out cars being left there, abandoned.  I'd really

love to see it restored as park land for public use, with local schools able to

come there and use it for lessons."

"We are not talking about getting it back just as it was in Repton's day, but it

could be revived for quiet recreational use, with footpaths and cycle paths.

It would be a great amenity for many local people."

A Steering Group, chaired by Mr Martin Shaw, involving Mr Buxton and

representatives of Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, Old Catton

Parish Council and Mrs Patsy Cooke, the owner of Catton Hall (which would not be

part of the park open to the public) met recently and decided to press ahead with

a request to the Lottery for funding for a Conservation Management Plan.

If funding is obtained for the plan, a specialist consultant would be appointed,

who will consult with local people, public bodies and other local groups before

making recommendations. This report would form the basis of the main

submission to the Lottery for project funding.

Some more photographs of Catton Park...

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