Park at the Heart plans unveiled (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Park at the Heart plans unveiled

6:41am Wednesday 25th April 2007

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The final designs for Bradford's Park at the Heart have been unveiled today after the views of 3,000 Bradfordians were used to shape the centrepiece scheme.

And new computer-graphic images of how the scheme will look have been released, including the dramatic impression above of how the park would look at night.

A total of 73 per cent of the people who responded showed their support for the plans, which seek to transform Centenary Square into a flexible public park to revitalise the city.

More greenery, additional seating areas and more dramatic fountains are just some of the changes made following the consultation.

In addition Bradford Council and Bradford Centre Regeneration will now be submitting a more ambitious bid for £24.5 million from the Big Lottery Fund to incorporate these ideas.

The additional £7m will pay for events equipment for concerts, more trees and greenery, inclusion of a visitor centre or café, bus passenger facilities, more dynamic water features and a maintenance fund to ensure the finished park can be managed to the highest standards.

People from across the district are now being urged to back the city's bid - the only one in West Yorkshire - as it competes against 22 other schemes for lottery funding.

Bradfordians have until the end of May when the bid will be submitted to the Big Lottery Fund. A decision will be made in October.

Councillor Andrew Mallinson, regeneration portfolio holder, said: "The response to the scheme so far has been fantastic and it has played a crucial role in shaping the final designs. We want to thank all those who took part for helping make this a park which reflects the people, culture and history of the city.

"This park belongs to the people of Bradford and we urge everyone to get behind their city and back the bid. We need to demonstrate to the Big Lottery Fund that we have your support, so please text, click, call or write in."

The key changes made to the design following feedback include:

• an increase of grass areas and greenery
• detailed management and maintenance for the mirror pool
• a park office for staff who will look after the park
• more trees and a redesigned stream shape to create seating zones in Norfolk Gardens
• more fountains to create a dramatic effect
• a remodelling of the mirror pool with different-shaped inner pools
• and more areas for people to shelter.

A number of ways of supplying the water to the mirror pool have been investigated and it is now proposed that the best way to get the required quality and supply of water will be from a borehole.

The Lord Mayor Councillor Choudhary Rangzeb said: "We were delighted to get so much feedback from the people of Bradford and the designers have incorporated these ideas and themes into the final design."

Michael Ziff, chairman of Bradford Centre Regeneration, the company spearheading the bid on behalf of the Council, said: "We are working closely with the Council, the people of Bradford and its business community to develop a park that will truly put Bradford on the map."

The Council's executive yesterday agreed to submit the lottery application.

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