Have your say on the future of Castle Park

A WIDE-ranging public consultation has been launched on proposals that could result in major changes at Frodsham’s iconic Castle Park.
The consultation is being carried out by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) – sole trustee of the Castle Park Trust – and will continue until March 9.
CWaC, as trustee, wishes to widen the use of the park for recreation and leisure time occupation in the parkland and local training and employment opportunities within the buildings and to do so must make application to the Charity Commission
The council does not believe any of the changes will be detrimental to any local residents or businesses, but it wants to know people’s views on the proposals and would also like to hear of any additional suggestions people may have for improving the variety and quality of uses for Castle Park.
Castle Park Trust was established in 1933 when the 18th century house and surrounding parklands were given to the former Runcorn Rural District Council for the public benefit of the area. A number of conditions were attached to the gift.
The house and buildings were to be used for council offices, for the advancement of the education of local residents or for a museum, art gallery or public library. The parkland should be used as an historic public park for the benefit of residents, the trustee could only charge for admission on special occasions and new buildings could only be erected if necessary or desirable and did not affect the historic character of the park..
CWaC has marketed the property on the open market and no interest has been received from organisations wishing to use the buildings for education or a museum, gallery or library. The council has no further use for the building as offices. As a result, the council wishes to widen the current uses.
The proposals would allow the buildings and parkland to be additionally used for ommunity, well-being and social welfare, recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for residents, including but not limited to providing a museum, art gallery or public library.
Buildings could be used for council offices, and the creation of training and employment opportunities by providing workspace.
Parkland would be retained as an historic park with admission charges only allowed for specific facilities or special events whether run by the trustee, the executive committee or any other body or person.
Members of the public can tell the council what they think of the changes up until March 9 either by emailing rurallocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or by writing to: Pam Bradley, rural localities manager, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 OBE
CWaC will use the comments received to make any alterations to the proposals thought necessary and will incorporate them into the application to the Charity Commission They will feed back the results of the consultation in May.