This is the second wave of improvements to the park Picture: Shepton Mallet Town Council

Shepton Mallet’s Collett Park to undergo £700,000 upgrade

Tait ap EllisOctober 24, 20240 Comment0

A POPULAR park in Shepton Mallet is set to see a range of improvements to make the park accessible for all residents.

New proposals for Collett Park, as agreed by Shepton Mallet Town Council, will see work take place to make the area more accessible to wheelchair users thanks to the creation of a changing places unit and fully accessible toilet as well as a “safer, more welcoming and accessible” entrance.

Also planned is the creation of baby changing facilities, new cycleways to link the south of the town to the town centre and out to Wells, as well as a new multipurpose building which will house a café and a versatile seating area to allow for year-round use.

The work is expected to cost between £700,000 and £900,000, with the money coming from a proportion of the town council’s precept as well as a loan over 10 years.

The council will also look to secure grants and donations, with plans to generate income through the café building through leasing out the space.

This is the second wave of improvements to the park authorised by the town council, with the modernisation and expansion of the play area in 2020.

The project aims to provide a “more enjoyable and diverse experience” for park users and will also support economic regeneration and encourage greater footfall throughout the year with the café building being open all year.

Town councillor Garfield Kennedy said: “Collett Park is the jewel in Shepton’s crown that the council is committed to maintaining to the highest standard.

“The first stage in that process has been achieved with the creation of the immensely popular new play equipment.

“Having accessible, modern facilities that are free to use are vital in any community and making our park fit and welcoming for the next 100 years is our aim.”

The next step for the plans will see the design team work on architectural drawings and visual representations of the space, to be followed by a public consultation to allow residents’ input on the plans.

Eventually, the park will be the start of an off-road multi-use path linking the town to Wells and eventually all the way to the sea in West Somerset.

The recent installation of the new bridge in West Shepton and the opening up of Millennium Way to pass under the road at Cannards Grave Road are part of an overall plan to make Shepton and specifically Collett Park a walkers’ and cycling hub.

Collett Park was donated to the town’s people by John Kyte Collett and is held in trust by the Collett Park Charity which is managed by the town council.