Love Marje Kelly and Gorse Hill Parks? Want to have your say in how some recently awarded funding could be used to improve their facilities? Then read on.

These two amazing community assets have recently received an equal share of £100k to be spent on delivering improvements that would benefit everyone who visits them.

Last year, Labour ward councillors, Fianna Hornby, Dave Acton and George Devlin, announced the money had been awarded to make improvements to the parks’ infrastructure.

Since then, Friends of Marje Kelly Park, Friends and Gorse Hill Park, Gorse Hill and Cornbrook Councillors, AMEY and Trafford Council officers, have been working together to ensure the money will be used effectively.

Today, a survey has been launched to obtain views, opinions and ideas, from the local community on how this money could be spent.

Organisers are keen to hear from everyone – and that includes those who may not use the parks but would still like to have input into how the schemes could potentially be developed.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and give us your thoughts on where you think improvements are needed the most. You can give your feedback here: https://trafford.citizenspace.com/place/gorse_hill_marje_kelly_consultation/

Cllr Fianna Hornby said: “It’s important you take the time to fill out this survey and tell us about what you like about the parks, and what you think is missing from the area. Your comments will be assessed and create the basis for looking at how the money can be spent to benefit residents.

“I know this funding will be put to great use by the community groups and make visiting both parks even more special.”

All park members and local community leaders are encouraging everyone to fill in the survey and to have their say on these latest set of improvements.

Marje Kelly said: “The parks are for everyone, and we want to hear from everyone in the Gorse Hill community about what improvements would be welcomed.  If you are a regular user or not, please tell us what benefits you think could be made.

“This survey is just the start of a process to shape our local parks and ensure they meet the requirements of the entire Gorse Hill community.”

Last date to submit your views is Friday, 31 January 2025.

 Where did this £100k come from?

This funding is a result of Trafford Council’s planning teams agreeing open space financial contributions with the developer who built more than 300 homes on the former Itron factory site (also known as Novus, between Talbot Road, Christie Road and Renton Road).

The contributions relate to the council’s adopted planning policies on open space and are intended to mitigate the impact of significant numbers of new residents on the area’s parks and open spaces.

This £100k  came from a Section 106 Agreement (Section 106 of The Town and Country Planning Act, 1990). Marje Kelly and Gorse Hill parks were named specifically as beneficiaries in the S106 document; therefore, the money must be used for infrastructure improvements in these parks.

Read more about the funding https://www.traffordlabour.org.uk/trafford-labour-councillors-welcome-100k-funding-for-two-much-loved-parks/