Eastrop Park to be developed with significant investment

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Cabinet members discussed plans to transform the 'neglected' town centre park to prevent it from deteriorating. 

Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday, July 16 Cllr Gavin James said the park is "desperate" for investment so that future generations can enjoy it, adding: "I went there as a kid and most of the area hasn't changed. The rest of it is really, really tired. It shouldn't have been neglected for so long."

Cllr James told councillors that the park is becoming hard to maintain, with leaking and silt affecting the lakes. 

"It is desperate for some investment from whatever sources we can get, and it's also that important green lung in the town centre, a very built-up area.

"I always reflect that in the last 15 years, we have probably built about 4,000 homes near the park and not a single one has a garden so it is the town centre's garden," he said. 

Cllr Laura James was optimistic about the plans, stating that while the council has already improved services at Eastrop Park, significant investment is needed to prevent it from deteriorating.

She said: "I think this paper is really exciting, the thing about this cabinet is we absolutely recognise the importance of Eastrop Park to the town.

"One of the first decisions we did as a council was to remove the car parking charge, we also opened up the toilets so they were open during the winter, at weekends as well.

"The paddling pool was allowed to deteriorate under the last administration but it is open now, but the fabric of the park is tired.

"It's served us in the town for many years, it now needs regeneration and it needs investment in those buildings, in all of the equipment in the park and we are going to need a significant amount of capital to do that.

"I think it's a project going forward that we are very committed to and we want it to be a very special park in our town centre."

At the cabinet meeting at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Civic Offices, councillors discussed the recommendation to approve the development of Eastrop Park and seek external funding towards its delivery, noting that the development will partly be funded through existing resources.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Chris Tomblin explained the importance of the park to the town.

He said: "Eastrop Park is nationally recognised as a good quality park, being a recipient of the Green Flag award for over two decades.

READ MORE: Popular paddling pool open following maintenance work and vandalism

Eastrop Park from above (Image: Daniel Rook)

"It has the River Loddon passing through it, along with areas of trees and shrubs, wetland and amenity grassland. It makes a notable contribution to biodiversity and the wider green infrastructure network. The park also marks the route of the old Basingstoke Canal, which is a notable heritage asset.

"Eastrop Park is well used, it provides a range of facilities and features for both residents and visitors to this borough, as well as being the focus of different user groups and is the location of a number of different events throughout the year.

"Its popularity and importance as part of a wider biodiversity network will continue as this borough continues to grow."

He explained that certain features of the park are outdated and will require enhancement, while new facilities will also need to be created.

He said: "Habitats will need to be enhanced and protected, new facilities and features will need to be provided and existing features will need to be refurbished and upgraded, all of which will require significant amounts of investment.

"There are several external funding sources which will be explored to help provide more detail to deliver the first parts of some earlier work that identified a high-level idea improving biodiversity connections and facilities within a network of seven parts of the east of Basingstoke and this will be part of it.

"This scheme of these improvements fits in with two of our council plan priorities and that is a place where people can have pride in their community and borough and a borough where we protect, restore, reconnect and enhance our natural environment."

Cllr Gavin James pointed out that the park is some children's only access to the outside, adding: "That's their first journey into seeing ducks and things because they don't have a garden, they live in a built-up area, they don't have cars.

"It's growing in importance, it's absolutely right that we get this right because I'd like to think that in 20, 30 years time there will be a different person sitting here who also has childhood memories of what a wonderful park it was."

The cabinet unanimously agreed with the recommendation.