Macclesfield: Wildflowers and the Pavilion becoming a 'community hub' are at the heart of South Park plans

By Alex Greensmith 21st May 2022

Macclesfield: What's your favourite thing about South Park?
Macclesfield: What's your favourite thing about South Park?

Cheshire East Council is seeking the views of residents on the transformative changes it has planned for South Park in Macclesfield.

The centrepiece of the planned improvements to South Park will be the redeveloped pavilion, which Macclesfield Town Council has committed to rebuilding. The pavilion will be at the heart of the park and become a true hub for the community, with hopes of it being able to be booked for events.

Macclesfield Town Council confirmed in a meeting on Tuesday this week, that a Macclesfield-based architect has been chosen to deliver the plans, and was a "safe pair of hands" to deliver the much-anticipated project.

Cheshire East Council are claiming that the new South Park will be trialling new sustainable ecology management techniques.

This includes, allowing grass to grow longer, introducing grassland wildflowers and replacing bedding planting with more sustainable perennial plants and meadow flowers.

South Park has an allotment, bandstand, two bowling greens, among other facilities. But the future of othe public space has even more planned. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

In a statement, a council spokesperson said: "The vision of the masterplan for South Park is to enhance the park to make it a place where people and nature can thrive – to become a place where people feel safe, welcome and free from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and where they can connect and learn about the natural environment."

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "The masterplan for South Park has a real focus on ecology, health and wellbeing and learning – all of which support the council's corporate plan and environment strategy." 

Cllr Warren, who is a Macclesfield East Independent Group Councillor and lives near the park, added: "We are delighted that the town council is committed to the development of the pavilion.

"It has long been recognised that the pavilion can provide much needed community facilities, and its development will naturally make the park feel a safer and more welcoming place."

The Masterplan can also be viewed on the link below. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

A council spokesperson added: "Developing this masterplan has been a fully collaborative effort involving councillors from Cheshire East Council and Macclesfield Town Council, in addition to members of South Park Bowling Club, Tatama Coffee, Macclesfield Wild Network and SPark South Park – a community interest company. The next stage is to take feedback from visitors and local residents."

The masterplan is already displayed at the parks' entrances and people can also find out more information about the plan when they click on the South Park masterplan tab on this webpage.

Cheshire East Council is asking Macclesfield residents to send their feedback to [email protected].

Macclesfield Town Council also want your views about the pavilion. Please email Town Clerk, Laura Smith via [email protected].

Macclesfield: The masterplan has been announced a century after South Park was officially opened as a public space. (Image - Cheshire East Council)

There will also be a presence for South Park at this May's Treacle Market, for residents to learn more about the plans.

South Park, located on Park Vale Road, is a 44 acre park which opened 100 years ago.

It is Macclesfield's largest park, and the closest to the town centre.

The current pavilion was installed in the 1970s after a fire.

The to-be-defunct pavilion was once used by community service Connextions. It will be replaced in the coming years. (Image - Cheshire East Council)

South Park is also home to Macclesfield Park Run, where a new cancer support group was launched this month.

Please click here to read that article.

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