£2m landscaping project to create a new urban park underway
A major investment in planting to create a new urban park in Coventry is starting to put down roots.
Work has begun on planting mature trees at the new Linear Park which will form a 700m environmental corridor from Belgrade Plaza in the city centre, passing under the ring road and connecting to communities to the north.
Regeneration specialists Complex Development Projects (CDP) received planning permission for the new park in July last year and work started on the major landscaping project last month following completion of remediation works to the former industrial site in Abbotts Lane.
The regeneration is supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority which has invested over £2m in the landscaping project.
Work is already underway on the naturalisation of Naul’s Mill pond as a new wetland habitat for wildlife and the planting of over 1,000 trees and saplings and 23,000 shrubs has now started.
The construction of the park is being undertaken by grounds maintenance and landscape creation specialists Idverde UK, which has its headquarters in Coventry.
The design of the project has been led by landscape architects Barton Wilmore.
The park will provide new pedestrian and cycle routes from the north of the city.
Katie Burn, senior development executive at CDP, said: “This is a spectacular project that will make a major change in the access to the city centre from Coundon and Radford. The linear park will break the concrete collar of the ring road and link the beautiful Naul’s Mill Park directly with the city centre for everyone to enjoy.
“Planting will continue over the coming months, with the work in Naul’s Mill park expected to be completed by early summer and the whole route completed by September.
“In Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture we think the park is a great opportunity to showcase the city’s sustainability agenda, and is a fantastic legacy project that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors of all ages for generations to come.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “With City of Culture just around the corner, there is so much going on which is reinventing the city centre, from the rejuvenated railway station to the Telegraph Hotel.
“This scheme will bring nature into the urban centre of the city, passing right underneath the ring road, creating something which local people will be able to enjoy for generations to come.
“It’s also great to see that a Coventry company is undertaking the construction of the park. I’m delighted to have been able to support it.”
PHOTO: Andy Street with, back from the left, Nicola Easdale (idverde UK), Gary Smith (idverde UK) and Katie Burn (Complex Development Projects)
