First look at £225,000 masterplan to revamp one of Nuneaton’s oldest parks

A first look at £225,000 plans to revamp one of Nuneaton’s oldest parks has been revealed. It was in 2006 that Sorrell Road Park was last partially renovated.

Plans to redevelop the entire area have now been revealed. A “concept” council masterplan shows the outline proposals but does not include finer details of the equipment that will go into it.

According to a council report, the park redevelopment will include new playground equipment for all ages, some fitness equipment and new paths, fencing and site furniture.

It will be paid for in part, around £100,000 from Hill Top and Caldwell Big Local (HTC). The remainder, £125,000, will come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) of £4,028,173 awarded to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.

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A council report explains why the park is in desperate need of a new look. “It currently includes a multi-use gaming area (MUGA), a small enclosed play area and a limited teenage play area,” it said.

The park was last partially renovated in 2006, making it one of our older play areas (the play equipment is expected to last 15-20 years, 25 at most).

A 2022 Greenspace and Play Audit is said to have revealed that Sorrell Road scored 6th lowest for play value due to its equipment, age and accessibility. The Green Flag score was “fair”, which is in the bottom half of audited open spaces in the two cities.

It goes on to explain that members of the Green Space team have been working with the Hill Top and Caldwell Big Local group for more than 18 months plus as the group wants to invest some of the Big Local Lottery money it was awarded into improving a space of play in their area.

“Initially the group wanted to improve Middlemarch Rec but we later agreed that due to the location and ownership (by Housing) Middlemarch was not suitable for redevelopment,” the report explains. “However, Sorrell Road is in the middle of the large local area, surrounded by housing and providing occasional site surveillance and is considered more suitable for redevelopment.”

Plans to redevelop Sorrell RoadPark are to be considered by Councilor Tim Jenkins at a single member decision meeting on June 6.

If approved, the park will be one of eight new “community parks” in the neighborhood. It is one of many that will be given a makeover, including the Marlborough Road recreation ground.

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