Permission is being sought by We Made That, the council’s appointed architecture practice for the project, on proposals including:
- redesigning the park’s main entrance to include additional planting, new seating, installation of a sustainable draining system, re-surfacing and signage,
- removing the existing public toilet block, and
- constructing a new public toilet block, to include an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities, back into the park near the café.
The current block, which is planned to be demolished, has been closed since December 2023 due to vandalism.
This project is part of North Somerset Council’s ambitious placemaking vision for the town, made possible thanks to the authority’s successful bid for £20 million from the UK government.
Proposed designs have been shaped by local people, community groups and organisations as a result of a series of engagement events led by We Made That, in collaboration with Super Culture. This included a free family-friendly public event – the ‘Grove Park Gathering’ – held in Grove Park on 1 June.
Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council's executive member responsible for placemaking, said: “It’s great to see these proposals being submitted for planning approval. If approved, the work would make a positive difference to the park’s main entrance from the High Street and relocate the public toilet block back into the park. We want to draw more people to and from the town centre to enjoy this beautiful town centre green space, encouraging more footfall and trade into the town.
“It’s a key priority for the council to involve the local community in shaping plans. I was delighted that over 120 people attended the Grove Park Gathering event in June and to see that those people’s comments have fed into these proposals.”
People can find out more about the proposals, including detailed drawings, on the council’s website. The planning application number is 24/P/2162/R3. If approved, work is due to complete in 2025.
To find out more about the improvement programme in Weston, visit the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/improvingweston.
The photographs below were taken at the Grove Park Gathering event held on Saturday 1 June 2024.