Campaigners are working on plans to upgrade a Victorian park and restore it to its former glory.

The Friends of Queens Park group has announced it is exploring plans for major works to be carried out on the Brighton park.

And organisers want to shape improvements to the park around the wishes of residents and park users by launching a consultation process later this year.

Committee members say they have been discussing improvements for the past five years but say now the time is right to take those plans further.


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A six-week consultation process will begin in June with a view to completing an agreed masterplan for the park by December.

Committee members are hopeful that the overhaul will give the park highly-prized Green Flag status and now want to hear from park users and residents to help shape the future of the park.

Committee member Guy Smyth said the project was very “exciting” for a park “steeped in history”.

He said: “We want to bring it up to the other parks in Brighton and achieve Green Flag standards.

“It is unlikely that the overhaul will be like The Level because Queens Park is listed, which limits the changes that can happen.

“We also want to know how the park can be more welcoming for people who don’t currently use it.

“We are concerned that old people don’t use the park because the cafe is currently located in the centre of the children’s playground.”

Work could start as early as 2017 with organisers exploring the possibility of seeking Heritage Lottery funding or other grants to finance the changes.

Discussions have already explored possible improvements to sports and cafe facilities in the park as well as improvements to the cascade waterfalls and the possible revival of a historical stream that once ran through the park.

Future changes will also focus on the site’s bowling green – which has not been maintained for almost seven years – and an accompanying hut which was badly damaged by fire last year.

Johnny Webb, committee chairman, said: “By the end of 2014 we will have a blueprint for the future of the park.”

To have your say visit friendsofqueensparkbrighton.net.