Andrew Mitchell MP has congratulated Councillor Simon Ward and the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council for their preparatory work and vision for the future of Sutton Park.

Sutton Coldfield’s Town Council commissioned independent experts to carry out an extensive appraisal of Sutton Park earlier this year as a first step towards securing its long-term sustainable future. Andrew Mitchell has met with Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, as well as with Simon Ward to discuss a joint approach going forward. He said that both meetings have been “extremely constructive”.

Currently owned and managed by Birmingham City Council, Sutton Park is a designated National Nature Reserve, Registered Historic Park and Garden, Scheduled Ancient Monument, Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Registered Historic Park.

The Town Council appointed environmental planning, design and management consultancy Land Use Consultants (LUC) to conduct a detailed review of Sutton Park’s current condition and the work and associated costs required to restore, manage and maintain the grounds over the next 30 years.

Andrew Mitchell MP said

“Following my meeting with the Leader of Birmingham City Council to support the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council’s plan to review the park’s governance and funding arrangements, I believe a new plan for the future of our iconic local park is now within sight which would marry together the work of Birmingham City Council and the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council with a national organisation which can help shoulder the burden of the investment and work required to ensure its long term sustainable future.

Sutton Park is a significant asset for our Royal Town and I regularly receive complaints from constituents about the upkeep the park as well as an increase in litter and anti-social behaviour. We now need this new approach bringing together all three relevant interests to secure a new, sustainable plan for the future of the park.”

Simon Ward, Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council said

“The consultant’s review will create the foundations for a sustainable future for our park. We need to ensure that we can conserve and protect our park and a new vision and strategic plan will be crucial to achieving this aim.

The longer-term goal of the Town Council remains to provide leadership for Sutton Park which will safeguard its future.

Ultimately, we want to ensure our park is looked after by those who care most about its future and for those who visit the park, they will agree that it needs significant capital investment. Sutton Park sits at the heart of our Royal Town and is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. We take the responsibility of being its future custodians extremely seriously. The work of the consultants we commissioned is another demonstration of this.”