The Officer Key Decision meeting scheduled for Tuesday 13 January 2026 was set to consider a significant grant funding application for the restoration of Forest Lane Park. The decision-maker, Rebecca Johnson, Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport, was to review a proposal to accept grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support this project.

Forest Lane Park Restoration Project (Lucel Tate Remembered) - National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant Funding

The primary item on the agenda was the Forest Lane Park Restoration Project, also known as Lucel Tate Remembered, and the associated grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The report pack indicated that Rebecca Johnson, Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport, was recommended to agree to enter into a grant agreement with the National Lottery Heritage Fund to accept £904,141.00 for the project. This funding is intended to cover the improvement and restoration of Forest Lane Park, with the council's match funding requirement of £173,729 already secured from existing budgets.

The project aims to address the physical condition of Forest Lane Park by restoring its infrastructure, including footpaths, signage, interpretation, and street furniture. It also proposes the creation of two new entrances to help mitigate anti-social behaviour, the restoration of water bodies, and biodiversity enhancements based on ecological appraisal recommendations. Furthermore, the plans include replacing or upgrading play equipment and installing new outdoor fitness equipment.

A notable aspect of the project is the inclusion of oral history recordings from members of the Hibiscus Community and individuals who gave birth in the Maternity Hospital, with the support of Lucel Tate. These stories are intended to be accessible through solar-powered listening posts within the park.

The grant funding will also support an engagement plan designed to involve diverse audiences through various activities. These activities are grouped under five themes: understanding and celebrating heritage, volunteering to build the community, celebrating nature, events to build the community, and prototypes for the future. To facilitate the project's delivery, the report indicated a recommendation to employ a part-time Project Manager, a part-time Community Engagement and Education Officer, and a part-time Site-based grounds maintenance operative/gardener, all funded by the grant.

The report pack outlined that the council's Parks & Greenspaces Service had previously applied to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in early 2023, receiving £86,541.00 in September 2023 to develop proposals for the full restoration of Forest Lane Park. This development work involved consultation exercises and surveys that informed the final design.

The report also detailed the legal implications of accepting the grant, including the council's obligation to monitor the success of the Approved Purposes ¹ and submit completion and evaluation reports. It also highlighted the requirement for the Secretary of State for Health to apply for a restriction to be entered against specific land titles at the Land Registry. The report also noted that the council has a general power of competence under Section 1 of the Localism Act 2011² to undertake such activities.

Alternative options considered and rejected included doing nothing, which would lead to the continued deterioration of the park, and a partial refurbishment, which would require funding from existing budgets without attracting external support. Both of these options would have resulted in the loss of the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.

Consultation had taken place with local councillors, residents, and park users, with information gathered incorporated into the design and engagement elements of the project. Councillor Dr John Whitworth was named as the Lead Member consulted.

The financial implications indicated that the council's match funding contribution would be met from the Physical Activity and Play Infrastructure budget within the council's capital programme. The report also addressed equalities implications, stating that an Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) had been carried out and no negative implications were expected.