Investment plan for Staffordshire’s green treasures

Some of Staffordshire’s best-loved green spaces have been earmarked for investment and improvement.

Country parks at Cannock Chase and Chasewater, and the 92-mile Staffordshire Way will receive an £18 million investment in the coming years.

Long term plans include:

• Redeveloping visitor facilities at Marquis Drive to reflect the Chase’s status as a National Landscape and internationally important habitat for plants and wildlife, while keeping facilities away from the sensitive Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
• Upgrading the Innovation Centre and south shore area of Chasewater Country Park to improve the facilities for the local community and visitors from further afield, with a focus on healthy activity within a beautiful, natural environment.
• Relaunching, improving and promoting the Staffordshire Way, which runs from Mow Cop to Kinver. As well as promoting physical activity and enjoyment of the countryside, the scheme has the potential to support local businesses and communities to promote tourism.

As well as Cannock Chase and Chasewater, Staffordshire’s countryside estate includes country parks at Apedale, Deep Hayes and Greenway Bank, as well as smaller sites, picnic areas and three greenways.

The council’s country parks saw a marked increase in visitors during and after the pandemic, as people rediscovered the natural beauty and open spaces on their doorstep.

Each project will be treated as an important flagship project in its own right so will be researched and developed, including ensuring they are inclusive and accessible for visitors, working closely with partners including the Cannock Chase National Landscape Partnership and the Cannock Chase SAC Partnership.

The views of residents, businesses, visitors and other interested groups will be surveyed later this year.