RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on plans to transform the town park into a ‘main place for Winsford’.

Winsford Town Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council have grand plans to turn the town park, which was once seen as a ‘no-go area’, into a place that can host concerts and theatre productions.

A spokesman for the town council said: “One of the areas identified by the Neighbourhood Plan for further re-development was open spaces and local people felt that more could be done to make the open spaces in Winsford better for recreation and to provide younger people with something to do.

“With this message in mind, and also with the vision to make more of the River Weaver, the Flashes and the surrounding countryside, Cheshire West and Chester Council, in partnership with Winsford Town Council, has funded a project to redevelop the Winsford town park.”

“Redeveloping the park allows for the councils to improve the image and attractiveness of the town – a key theme in the Neighbourhood Plan – and provides the opportunity for an area which links the town centre with the river and the Flashes.”

A consultation was opened at the beginning of the week, and residents are being urged to share their ideas, no matter how strange they might be.

Cllr Brian Clarke, Winsford Town Council and CWAC, said: “We have now got the consultation and we want people to tell us their ideas, no matter how daft they think they are, just put them in the consultation and just see if they fit with what we have in mind.

“A while ago it became a no go area because of the idiots gathering with alcohol and drugs and parents decided to stop taking their kids there, but everyone has still go the impression that it’s intimidating but it’s not. We’ve opened it up so you can see right through so that it’s not a no-go area anymore.

“We haven’t got millions and millions to spend on it, but we want to make it the main place for the town where we can have concerts and shows and all sorts.

“We’re thinking about having a proper stage which is solid and has all the electrics so we can put plays on and theatre, it’s a natural amphitheatre.”

“We want to put benches there so people can sit and enjoy the shows.

“It’s a beautiful place like the marina and we want it to run down and merge into the marina. We have sorted the marina now and it looks amazing and now the town park is our next priority.”