There has been a lot going on with the proposal to establish Catton Park.

Make a note in your diaries - a public meeting to be held in Old Catton

to discuss the proposals in detail.

This is to be held in the Church Hall on Monday 8th December at 7pm.

Here are two updates for you.  One from the Eastern Evening News, and one

from the Catton Park Steering Group:-

News Release ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CATTON PARK STEERING GROUP Friday October 10th Preferred option for historic Catton Park   A preferred option for the restoration and local public use of Catton Park was agreed at the Catton Park Steering Group meeting on Monday, 6th October.  This option includes:  ~ Up to six public pedestrian access points,  ~  A phased programme of woodland management,  ~ Restoration of the historic woodland walks,  ~ Provision of a new surfaced path along an internal woodland edge,  ~ A dog-free wildflower meadow,  ~ A summer-flowering meadow,  ~ A kick-about area,  ~ A cycle route through the Park,  ~ Appointment of a full-time warden.  The Steering Group is currently considering a potential structure for managing and funding the Park.  A leaflet describing the preferred option will be circulated early in November prior to a presentation at a public meeting.  This meeting, hosted by Old Catton Parish Council, will be held on Monday 8th December at 19.00 hours at St. Margaret's Church Hall, Blacksmiths Way, Old Catton.  It will offer members of the public an opportunity to discuss and comment on the preferred option before submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The meeting will be open to all residents who live around the Park, including those living in Sprowston and Norwich City.   For Further Information Ken Leggett, Project Manager, on 01603 408823.

 

An extract taken from the Eastern Evening News on October 13th 2003   Final ideas thought up for beauty spot   DAN GRIMMER (Eastern Evening News) October 13, 2003 11:57   THE people behind an ambitious plan to create a country park on the doorstep of Norwich have settled on what they want to see in the beauty spot. Catton Park is an historic private park designed more than two centuries ago by famous landscape architect Humphry Repton. In recent years, the park has been used as a mix of woods and farmland, but a group wants to restore the 70-acre park to its former glory and open it up to the public. The steering group, which includes representatives from local authorities such as Norfolk County Council, met to agree their preferred options for the restoration and public use of the Grade II listed park. The option which they chose includes up to six public pedestrian access points, a phased programme of woodland management, restoration of historic woodland walks, a dog-free wildflower meadow, a kick-about area, a summer-flowering meadow and a cycle route through the park. The plans also include appointing a full-time warden to keep tabs on the historic site. The steering group is currently thrashing out a potential structure for managing and funding the park and is gearing up to submit a bid for National Lottery cash. A leaflet describing the preferred option will be circulated to homes early next month, so people can get to grips with the proposals in time for a public meeting. Ken Leggett, project manager, said: "It will offer members of the public an opportunity to discuss and comment on the preferred option before submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund. "The meeting will be open to all residents who live around the park, including those living in Sprowston and Norwich city." The meeting, hosted by Old Catton Parish Council, will be held on Monday, December 8. It will take place at 7pm in St Margaret's Church Hall in Blacksmiths Way, Old Catton. In April this year, the Evening News reported how the joint landowners, Andrew Buxton and Norfolk County Council, had agreed in principle to the changes. About 18 acres of the council's land would be sold or leased for a peppercorn rent, while the rest of the land would come from Mr Buxton.

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