THE RESTORATION of a historic park to return it to its eighteenth century roots is set to go ahead after funding for the project was secured.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced that Brighton and Hove City Council has been successful with its bid for £4 million.

The Stanmer Park plans have raised concerns with environmentalists and locals because of plans to build a large overflow car park and cut down trees including many in memory of loved ones.

The park plans will see the restoration of the historic Lower Lodges entrance and doubling its car park, a new kiosk with toilets, cycle hire and café, a green drive for pedestrians and cyclists and restoring the Frankland monument.

The park’s walled garden will become a working garden with cafe, garden centre and education facilities while a Citypark depot will make way for a car park and meadows.

The proposals to reshape 20 hectares of the park over the next ten years were granted planning permission by the South Downs National Park Authority last month.

The remaining £1.4 million funding for the project will be met by the city council.

A separate £4.8 million HLF heritage grant bid towards the renovation of the grade II listed park’s Home Farm was unsuccessful leaving the council to go back to the drawing board.

A revised project costing around £2.8 million has been drawn up which is being funded by the council’s unpopular sell-off of agricultural downland.

Cllr Gill Mitchell, the city council's environment, transport and sustainability committee chairwoman, said the decision was "fantastic news".

She added: “This project has the potential not just to restore a substantial part of Stanmer Park to its former glory, but develop the area and provide exciting new experiences, employment and opportunities for residents and visitors both now and in the future.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the New Year.”

Trevor Beattie, South Downs National Park Authority chief executive, said: "Stanmer Park is a unique survival from the Georgian age and this grant will restore its original landscape.

"It will also make it much easier for the people of Brighton and Hove to access the National Park on their doorstep."

Alma Howell, assistant inspector of historic buildings and areas for Historic England added: “The success of this bid will start a process of helping to remove Stanmer Park from our Heritage at Risk Register by delivering  a number of restoration projects and a stronger heritage led vision for the estate.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the council to find positive sustainable solutions for the remaining ‘At Risk’ factors.”

Ian Rideout, head of faculty forestry, horticulture and foundation learning at Plumpton College, said: “We are delighted to be a key partner in this project that will greatly benefit the local community. 

“We look forward to continuing to provide learning opportunities at Stanmer Park for local people to access education and training in the walled garden.”

Work on the project will start in the New Year with most restoration works carried out in 2018.