Collett Park Gateway

Description

Project Aims
• To improve the facilities at the park, providing better experience for park users and residents.
• To support economic regeneration encouraging greater footfall to the town through the year.
• To make the park gateway more attractive, accessible and sustainable.
• To support people's health and well-being, bringing people in contact with one another and nature.
• To mark the beginning of the Strawberry Line enabling active travel and recreation.
3.2 Project Outcomes
The proposed indoor and outdoor spaces should maximise the potential of the site, creating a renewed sense of place whilst contributing to character, natural beauty and heritage of the park in an inclusive, fresh and innovative way. Proposals should
include:
• A safer, more welcoming, accessible and well-connected park entrance that reflects the significance of the park in the town and is attractive to passers-by.
• Modern and accessible toilets that meet the needs of the volume and diversity of park users, that may if feasible, include a Changing Places standard room. The toilets should operate separately from the café and be able to be locked remotely
to extend opening hours.
• Improved café appearance and function with the capacity to also serve outdoor/  takeaway refreshments at busy times of the year. Options to include as feasible:
> An updated, expanded kiosk with a covered outdoor area.
> An indoor space for around ten to fifteen covers.
> An area to be used as a community space e.g. for small meetings, workshops or events at quieter times.
• Tool storage and a small vehicle garage for the maintenance team. Store for four commercial refuse and three wheely bins.
• Collett Park and Strawberry Line signage.
• The re-siting of existing amenities as needed such as; the water fountain, existing park signs and defibrillator.
• The potential to develop areas of soft landscape elements with the park community over time.
• A welcoming space for cyclists at the beginning of the Strawberry Line with improved cycle connections from the Strawberry Line to Park Road and the town centre.
The building and outdoor spaces should be robust and sensitively lit and become part of the regular maintenance of the park. It is likely that the cafe will continue to be leased by an operator and not run by the Town Council.
Sustainability Outcomes
The design team should carry out energy modelling and Whole Life Carbon Assessments as necessary and set out to achieve the RIBA 2030 performance targets and 10% net gains in biodiversity as a minimum. An allowance has been made for the QS to coordinate the Whole Life Assessment at RIBA Stage 2. The design team should assess existing structures and their suitability for re-use as
elements or materials, use biobased and recycled materials where possible and design for disassembly and reuse.
Engagement Outcomes
The team will need to develop a communication and engagement strategy alongside the project programme. This should include periodically meeting the working party of Town Councillors to gain timely feedback and a workshop with the wider stakeholder group including disabled park users. Public engagement should
take place in the lead up to a Planning Application, to include hosting two public events and at a workshop with a local school. The design team should provide content and facilitate meetings and events, to be organised by SMTC. Sketch models and compelling 3D views are required to explain the project, support consultation and fundraising.
SMTC will run an online public survey to gather data and build evidence to support the case for the project. The team will need to contribute to the definition of questions for the survey and provide selected illustrations.
Outline Programme
Jan Feb 2026 Design Team Appointed
Feb / April 2026 RIBA Stage 2, Develop Concept Design & Make
Pre-Application Enquires
May / June 2026 Visualise possibilities and engage the public.
July / Oct 2026 RIBA Stage 3 & Planning Application
2027 RIBA Stage 4 and Tender & Start on Site.