Residents and visitors to Staddlestones Park in Midsomer Norton are being invited to have their say on plans to improve the space and enhance its biodiversity.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is consulting on proposals to create a more welcoming space for residents to enjoy and to support physical and mental wellbeing.

A draft masterplan for the park includes improved entrances and paths, tree planting, the creation of a meadow and adding more seating.

The proposals seek to encourage greater use of the site, make it more accessible for people and retain a natural feel that also encourages wildlife.

The scheme is part of Somer Valley Rediscovered, a green infrastructure partnership project being carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council, Wessex Water, B&NES Public Health and Natural England to improve wildlife habitat and create accessible greenspace for local communities to enjoy.

Before agreeing a final masterplan for Staddlestones Park, the council is asking residents and visitors to help plan the improvements. The consultation opened on Friday (Friday, June 9th) and runs until July 22nd.

A family nature event outlining the masterplan ideas will also take place at the park today (June 10th) from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy Leader and cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “Green spaces in our communities like Staddlestones Park are so important in encouraging people to connect with nature and socialise outdoors, which improves health and wellbeing. 

“The proposals for the park aim to improve these recreational benefits but also the sustainability and biodiversity of the park, making it a green space that welcomes wildlife as well as people.

“To get the development of the park right, we need to know how you use the park now and how you think it should be developed for the future. Please have your say in the consultation.”

Anyone who is not able to access the consultation online can collect a paper copy from June 14th onwards at Midsomer Norton Library, or request one by emailing: [email protected]

The final masterplan is expected to be published in Autumn this year. 

Somer Valley Rediscovered is a partnership project that seeks to improve biodiversity in the Somer Valley and to improve health and wellbeing by improving links between local communities and greenspace. 

It was awarded £923,246 from the West of England Combined Authority Green Recovery Fund in October 2022