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Priory Park restoration

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You are here: Home > Leisure > Parks and countryside > Parks and playgrounds > Priory Park restoration > Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about Priory Park

Priory Park is already great, why do we need to change it?
How much will the project cost?
Who is paying for the project?
How will the improvements be maintained?
Will there be a paddling pool?
What is happening to the playground?
What is happening to the lake?
When will the changes happen?
Will the Park be closed when the work is being done?
How will you prevent vandalism in the newly restored park?
Will there be any more parking provided for the Park?
How can I get involved in the project?

Priory Park is already great, why do we need to change it?

Priory Park is already a well used and much loved park. However, the Park has suffered a period of gradual decline over many decades. The unique heritage of the Park has not been recognised and has suffered greatly as a result. Areas such as the sunken gardens, Monks Walk and the lake all require significant investment to be restored to their full potential. 

Although the Park enjoys some good recreational facilities, some are poorly situated and impinge on the setting of the historic Priory building (in particular the tennis courts and the childrens’ play ground). There is also a proven demand for new and improved facilities such as an indoor café, water play and an improved area for young people.  

The Priory Park project will restore the heritage of the Park as well as deliver the recreational facilities fit for the 21st century.

How much will the project cost?

The total cost of the project is £6.6 million.  

This can be roughly broken down into capital (construction costs) £5.8 million and revenue (additional maintenance costs over 5 years) £0.8 million.

Who is paying for the project?

The project will be funded from the following sources:

• Heritage Lottery Fund: £4.2 million
• Reigate & Banstead Borough Council: £2 million
• Private sponsorship: £0.2 million
• Other (includes Countryside Stewardship grant, Surrey Police, Surrey County Council): £0.2million

How will the improvements be maintained?

As part of the Heritage Lottery Fund application the Council has prepared a 10 year Management and Maintenance Plan to ensure the restoration works are maintained to a high standard. To deliver the plan the Council will create a new Priory Park team of four full time posts, including a dedicated Priory Park Manager and will significantly increase the maintenance budget to support the work.

•  View the management and maintenance plan (pdf) (251.1kB) 

Will there be a paddling pool?

There will be a water feature within the new childrens playground. This will not be a traditional paddling pool but will involve free flowing water in a naturalistic setting. There will be small pools where the water will collect and children can paddle. There will also be streams linking the pools and water jets. The water will drain away at the end of each day.

What is happening to the playground?

A new children's playground is being created in the centre of the park (where the existing tea kiosk is currently located). The playground will be slightly larger than the existing playground. It will be landscaped and have a nautical theme to link with the history of the Priory. Key features will be a large model ship and water play. The playground will be conveniently located next to the new pavilion with its café and toilet facilities.

The existing playground will be dismantled with equipment reused at sites across the borough where possible. The site will then be returned to its earlier use as an arboretum, to enhance the setting of the Priory building.

What is happening to the lake?

The lake will be dredged to remove the substantial amount of silt that has built up over the years. After dredging some engineering works will be undertaken to improve the outfall structure and create a new masonry lake edge wall at the feeding area. New marginal planting shelves will be constructed around the islands and edges of the lake to promote wildlife. The picnic area will be moved northwards and will link into an improved path around the lake.

When will the changes happen?

Work started on site in January 2007. It is projected that the work will be complete by Spring 2008. A detailed construction programme will be released once the main contract has been let.

Will the Park be closed when the work is being done?

The Park will remain open throughout the construction period. Inevitably there will be some disruption to park users whilst the works are being undertaken. It will be necessary to cordon off areas of the park whilst work is being undertaken. It is intended to manage the project using a phased handover. This should help to minimise disruption by enabling facilities to be made available to the public as they are individually completed.

How will you prevent vandalism in the newly restored park?

By involving local residents, including young people, in the design of the park and providing facilities that they have requested we believe that the restoration work will be welcomed by local people and will be respected by the vast majority of park users. 

However, to provide the best possible protection for the Park, security measures will also be increased in a number of ways:

• There will be more Park staff available on site. A team of four full time staff, working on a rota basis will allow a staff presence in the park throughout the day, at weekends and during some evenings 
• The CCTV system within the park will be enhanced with further cameras added. The CCTV system feeds directly to the police station where it is monitored 24 hours a day.  

Where vandalism does occur, it will be a priority for Park staff to repair the damage as quickly as possible.  

Will there be any more parking provided for the Park?

The Priory Park Restoration Project will not provide any new parking. An extension of the Bell Street car park, directly adjacent to the Grade 1 listed Priory, would not be considered acceptable by the Heritage Lottery Fund or English Heritage. However, the layout of Bell Street car park is being significantly improved to make parking easier.  

Bell Street car park is currently used by a number of commuters and people working in the town centre. The management of the car park is being reviewed to encourage these long term users to take advantage of other town centre car parks and thus free up more space for park users.

Publicity material for Priory Park will also provide information about the public transport links to the Park and cycling facilities.    

How can I get involved in the project?

A good way to get involved is through membership of the Friends of Priory Park.

Contact via email: friendsofpriory@btinternet.com

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