Exciting times ahead as Trafford Council wins £120k funding for Longford Park regeneration

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In case you haven’t already heard, Trafford Council has won £120,000 funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards a huge regeneration of Stretford’s historic Longford Park. As far as we understand, this money will be used to develop the proposals of the multi-million pound project in greater detail. Further public engagement and events will take place ahead of a second stage bid in 2021. The Council received the news that its funding bid for the park had been successful following a meeting of The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s committee for The North of England. To support the bid, a draft masterplan was prepared in partnership with The Friends of Longford Park and a project stakeholder group, supported by City of Trees and consultants AECOM. A public consultation event was held earlier this year, together with the launch of an online survey to gather views and opinions. Key themes for the project are heritage, nature and wellbeing, with proposals including the refurbishment of the stable block, Longford Hall footprint and Pets’ Corner; food growing and biodiversity enhancements; opportunities for training, learning and events; improvements to play and sports facilities and modern multi-media interpretation of the park’s heritage and associations with prominent historical figures such as John and Enriqueta Rylands.