Council Starts a Fresh Conversation on the Need to Plan for
Tatton’s Future
February 12, 2013
Cheshire East Council is using the release of a report on the
proposed BeWILDerwood children’s adventure area at Tatton Park to
raise wider local awareness of the ‘Tatton Vision’ and how it sets
out to secure the historic estate’s future as a much-loved local
and visitor amenity.
The concept of a new visitor attraction at Tatton Park is a key
element of the ‘Tatton Vision’ – which is already being brought to
life through other investment in areas such as the stableyard
project and Tattondale Farm.
This vision aims to create a self-sustaining Tatton Park which
offers an enhanced visitor experience for both local people and
visitors from further afield for many years to come.
Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for
prosperity and economic regeneration, said: “Tatton Park is
currently one of the region’s premier visitor destinations,
welcoming over 800,000 people each year.
“The Vision will build on the investment being made in Tatton
and the commitment of the Council to secure the estate and its
proud heritage for future generations.
“We are choosing to move forward with the BeWILDerwood
attraction as we feel it would be sympathetic to the park’s natural
woodland environment. Additionally, we are confident it will
attract new family groups to Tatton, create new jobs and open up a
part of the estate that was previously inaccessible to the
public.
“There is a range of groups in the local community that want to
secure the future of Tatton. Now is the time for all of us with an
interest in its future to work together to achieve this.
“The current planning application will shortly be resubmitted
and I would encourage people to engage with us during the
consultation period to let us know their thoughts.”
As part of its commitment to open and transparent decision
making, the Council has chosen not to challenge the Information
Commissioner’s findings that a confidential Cabinet document should
be released to the public. The report looks at the business case
for the BeWILDerwood project.
The authority had previously decided not to release the report
on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.
In rare circumstances, the Council needs to keep sensitive
business information confidential, initially, to allow negotiations
to take place and get the best deal for local taxpayers and
residents.
Councillor Macrae added: “We understand the interest in this
matter but we have taken
the appropriate advice at all stages of the process and have
acted fully within this.
“The Information Commissioner has accepted this but we felt it
was important to clear the air, so that we could start a fresh and
more positive conversation about the best way to secure Tatton’s
future.” The nature of the Tatton proposal and
further details can be found at BeWILDerwood
Tatton .
