A £3.8 million lottery grant led to a leading Labour politician thanking political friends and foes alike for their support for the bid.
Councillor Gill Mitchell said that it was “great news on the HLF (Heritage Lottery Fund) grant of £3.8 million for Stanmer Park”.
Councillor Mitchell said: “I really want to thank everybody – all members from all parties who worked together on the bid – as well a lot of the good work that came from officers.
“As the project progresses update reports will come to this committee. But I think we now stand to see some huge improvements at Stanmer and it’s a wonderful opportunity.” Her comments came days after Brighton and Hove City Council was awarded a grant of £3.8 million towards the restoration of Stanmer Park from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund’s Parks for People scheme. Councillor Mitchell, who chairs the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said when the grant was announced: “It’s fantastic news. “This project has the potential not just to restore a substantial part of Stanmer Park to its former glory, but develop the area and provide exciting new experiences, employment and opportunities for residents and visitors both now and in the future.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the new year”
The council said: “Stanmer Park and Estate Restoration Project will see around 20 hectares (49 acres) of the park’s landscape and grade II listed and other buildings restored and given new life.
“The total cost of the restoration project is £5.8 million and the council plans to cover the remaining costs through match funding and revenue and contributions from partner organisation and donors.
“For the past two years council officers have been working with representatives from Plumpton College, the South Downs National Park and other organisations including Historic England to prepare a masterplan for the park following a £300,000 grant from Parks for People.”
