Bristol’s historic Castle Park is set for a revamp as part of a £24.5m infrastructure investment package for the city.
Local businesses and residents will be asked their views as part of a formal consultation on proposed improvements to safety, connectivity, seating and accessibility at the public space, which is an important cycle and walking route into the city centre.
Landscaping and biodiversity at the park, which houses the Grade II listed St Peter’s Church and remnants of Bristol Castle, are also part of the modernisation plans.
Proposals for the money, from Bristol’s strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), to go towards the growth and regeneration of Bristol over the next five years were included in the budget approved at the full Bristol City Council meeting on February 23.
A masterplan of options will be put before the public and organisations for their views later this year.
Councillor Nicola Beech, cabinet member for city design and spatial planning, said the success of the city centre was a "priority" after being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’ve all cherished our green spaces more than ever during 2020 and this funded plan will create a Castle Park for the whole city and an increasing number of local residents," she said.
“There are a number of projects in the early stages of development in our city centre and we know there is going to be changes to this part of the city.
"But by using a funding pot called Strategic CIL we can get on with designing an improved Castle Park and don’t have to wait for any of the surrounding developments
“The bottom line is that we want to create a Castle Park that everyone in Bristol can enjoy and be proud of and I look forward to talking through ideas with local people later this year.”
