Selston Park improvement work gathering pace

Work has already started with phase one, the building of a memorial park and should be completed soon.

Three flag poles have been erected, raised flower beds are almost complete and there will be disabled-friendly benches installed to compliment the commemorative bench.

Councillors have listened to their constituents who want to keep the park but also want to see improvements.

Coun Arnie Hankin, Coun David Martin and Coun Andy Gascoyne are as keen as the local residents to make the park a destination that they want to visit and enjoy all year round.

Coun Gascoyne said “Councillors Hankin, Martin and myself will make a difference to the country park.

"Local people want the café re-opened and it will be re-opened.

"People want lovely surrounding for all generations and that’s what there’re going to get”.

Council officers have been instructed to work up costed plans, without delay, to create a new café hub at Selston Country Park.

This will be a multipurpose extension to the current building, allowing it to be run full time for local people to use, in the same way other park cafes in the district are.

Coun Hankin said: “The country park is a green open space which has not had the care it deserves for some time, things will change and the park will be a destination spot in the rural area.

“It isn’t good enough for the park to be just a dog walking area.

"The good people of Selston parish want the café open and events to be staged for both young and old.”

Council officers are to present the costing for the improvements to the cabinet in time for it be included for the upcoming budget, so that capital work to extend and fully refurbish the café be allocated, allowing the work to be fully completed within the 2021-22 financial year.

Coun Martin said: “I want Selston County Park revitalising for local people, if I’ve learnt anything during the pandemic, its open spaces are a vital resource for people allowing them to exercise and just to enjoy being outside.”