Walpole Park's Multi-Million Pound Restoration

Major project for Ealing's premier park

A £5.2m project to restore Walpole Park to its former glory is underway.

The major refurb will see a new education centre – known as the Rick Yard – as well as a new café and children’s playground.

During the restoration work, some entrances and areas of the park will be temporarily closed.

The work will take place in phases, starting with the area behind Pitzhanger Manor and including the walled garden.

Fencing has been put up around this area of the park, and the two entrances along Mattock Lane have now been temporarily closed to the public.

The Pitzhanger Manor, Lammas Park and Culmington Road entrances remain open.

Spencer’s Café will remain open but will move into a temporary building during the next week, which will be located near the pond and playground.

The contractors will begin to clear vegetation, turf and paving stones, as well as start building a temporary pond which will house the park’s wildlife while the water features are being restored.

Last week Ealing Council’s cabinet agreed to find an extra £1million to contribute to the Pitzhanger Manor regeneration project, bringing the council’s contribution to a total of £4.1million. The council’s funding includes ‘Section 106’ money, which was secured from developers as part of the planning process to improve the town centre.

The new funding will go towards the £10.5million project to restore and redevelop the manor house, as well as improve access and visitor facilities, transforming it into a world-class heritage attraction.

The extra funding will primarily be used to build a new restaurant and wedding/event venue, which will be situated within the walled garden, detached from the house.

The proposed plans for the redevelopment of Pitzhanger Manor were put forward for public consultation in June and feedback is now being evaluated. Findings from the consultation and information on how the designs are developing will be presented at a public meeting at Pitzhanger Manor on Thursday, 17 October.

In April 2012, Pitzhanger Manor was awarded a first-round development grant of £275,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop the restoration plans. A bid for the total grant of £4.42million is due to be submitted to HLF in December, with an announcement expected in March 2014.

Leader of Ealing Council and member of the Pitzhanger Manor Trust, Councillor Julian Bell, said: “It is fantastic that we have secured more than three quarters of the funding needed for the redevelopment of Pitzhanger Manor from external funders. The council is committed to revitalising this heritage gem, and will now work with the Pitzhanger Manor Trust to secure the final £1.85million required for the project.

“I’d also like to thank local people and park users for their patience while the park works take place. Our contractors have assured us that everything is being done to minimise disruption to park users, so people will still be able to visit and enjoy the park during the work. I am confident the finished product will be well worth it.”

Subject to planning permission and all of the funding being approved, work on Pitzhanger Manor is due to start in the first part of 2015.

For more information about the Walpole Park and Pitzhanger Manor improvement projects, please email pmgwalpole@ealing.gov.uk

8th October 2013