AMBITIOUS plans to revamp Stourbridge’s Mary Stevens Park with the creation of a new café, restoration of the historic gates and improvements to the war memorial have been given the go-ahead.

Members of Dudley’s development control committee last night gave the green light to proposals to turn an existing print room (an annexe to the main Council House building in the Norton park) into a public café leading out onto landscaped tea gardens.

Restoration of the main grade II listed park gates off Heath Lane also forms part of the plan – which is subject to receiving significant grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of its Parks for People programme.

The scheme also features improvements the war memorial, on Queen’s Drive, and includes the removal of surrounding conifer trees and the creation of two stone seats.

A report to the committee says the revamp plans for the Norton Road park will “improve the quality of life for local residents and visitors to Stourbridge by developing a safe and welcoming environment while encouraging and enabling access for all”.

The scheme also includes works to Heath Pool and installation of a silt trap under the car parking area at neighbouring Swinford Common in Stanley Road to prevent silt from entering the pool through existing flow-ins from a culverted watercourse.

Other park plans forming part of the project include: restoration of the bandstand and better access, renovation of the toilets next to the proposed cafe, footpath resurfacing, installation of extra bins, benches, signs, a new bowling hut and graffiti shelter, plus improvements to bowling lawns and the croquet hut.

Councillors unanimously approved the plans at the meeting on May 14 - with Pedmore and Stourbridge East councillor Colin Wilson adding: “I’m very, very pleased we have got to the position where funding might be there. If we can regenerate the park to an even better standard that’s absolutely wonderful.”