CONSULTANTS are being appointed to help plot future investment in Chasewater.
Staffordshire County Council said it would be spending £18million over the coming years to improve the country park along with a site at Cannock Chase and the 92-mile long Staffordshire Way.
The authority says it is keen to see Chasewater become a “regional visitor destination”.
Cllr Victoria Wilson, cabinet member for communities and culture, said:
“Cannock Chase, Chasewater and the Staffordshire Way are jewels in the crown of our county’s natural beauty.
“Given their increased popularity since the pandemic, both country parks will benefit from being better able to handle visitors – and it will be done in such a way as to protect plants and wildlife and conserve the very things that make these places so attractive.”
The appointment of consultants, who will look into enhancing the Innovation Centre and south shore area, comes after a Burntwood councillor called for action instead of words after delays in making improvements at Chasewater.
Cllr Sue Woodward, leader of the Labour opposition group at Lichfield District Council and a member of Burntwood Town Council, said:
“People are fed up with these numerous so-called engagement exercises that have taken place over the past 15 to 20 years and want to see some action.
“The last consultation from a couple of years ago cost over £20,000 – how much will this next one cost?
“Exactly how many consultations does it take to make a plan? Or is it just yet another excuse for doing little or nothing?”
Just don’t turn it into a theme park please.
surely it doesn’t take a consultancy to point out the obvious here….the Council are doing an awful job of attracting the public to use Chasewater. Bumpy flooded car park, terrible cafe, tired park and grounds, boring old fashioned visitor centre etc etc. The only way it will attract visitors is if it is sold to a private business to make the most of the water – open swimming, water park etc and really bring in some visitors and investment. Just keep the paths open to the public.
We don’t need to pay consultants who probably live nowhere near the area.
Use the money that would pay consultants on improving the area.
Ask the public who live there,they know what’s required…..job done
Well said, Sue Woodward, that’s what we’d all like to know!
Don’t spend any more money on consultants, spend it on clearing up the litter. This is a large site where cleaning up the rubbish dropped by irresponsible members of the public must be a nightmare, and that impacts the wildlife. I’ve seen a heron standing in a shallow area of water surrounded by litter, for example – such a depressing sight in what should be a haven for wildlife. Of course, there are some fantastic people who take their own litter picking equipment and quietly get on with the job themselves, but only an official team can access much of the water itself.
As for needing any further suggestions for improvements, I bet there are people working there and regular visitors who would be glad to make useful recommendations for free.
Bring back the tourist information staff, they will be ideal to encourage people to visit the area.
Should have left it alone like every where else it used to have a good dog or horse track and boats were u could pay 10p to drive the remote control boats and a little race track no they have filled the pool in used to be great there years ago now I don’t bother going up there now
Take it back to how it was in the 60s, it was always jam packed
Unfortunately it’s a shadow of its former self, there’s so much potential for Chasewater but it’s been neglected for decades. Its sad to see it in the state it’s in compared to what it looked like in the 70’s and 80’s.