The Officer Key Decision meeting scheduled for Tuesday 13 January 2026 is set to consider a significant grant funding application for the restoration of Forest Lane Park. This report outlines the proposed decision to accept grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to facilitate the comprehensive improvement and restoration of the park, which will be known as Forest Lane Park Restoration Project (Lucel Tate Remembered).

Forest Lane Park Restoration Project (Lucel Tate Remembered) - National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant Funding

The primary item on the agenda is the proposed acceptance of grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Forest Lane Park Restoration Project (Lucel Tate Remembered). Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport, Rebecca Johnson, is to consider entering into a grant agreement to accept £904,141.00 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This funding is intended for the improvement and restoration of Forest Lane Park, with the council's match funding requirement of £173,729 already secured from existing budgets.

The report details that the project aims to address the physical condition of Forest Lane Park by restoring its infrastructure, including footpaths, signage, interpretation, and street furniture. It also proposes the creation of two new entrances to help mitigate anti-social behaviour. Furthermore, the funding will be used to restore the park's water bodies, repair eroded banks, thin vegetation, and implement ecological recommendations for biodiversity enhancements. The play equipment will be replaced or upgraded, and new outdoor fitness equipment will be installed.

A significant aspect of the project involves gathering oral history recordings from members of the Hibiscus Community and individuals who gave birth in the Maternity Hospital, with the support of Lucel Tate. These stories are planned to be accessible through solar-powered 'listening posts' within the park.

The grant funding will also support an extensive activity plan designed to engage diverse audiences. This plan is structured around five themes: understanding and celebrating heritage, volunteering to build the community, celebrating nature, events to build the community, and prototypes for the future. Activities include film production, sculpture co-design, oral history programmes, guided history walks, community action days, and various nature-focused and celebratory events.

To facilitate the project's delivery, a portion of the grant funding will be used to employ new staff: a part-time Project Manager for two years, a part-time Community Engagement and Education Officer for two years, and a part-time site-based grounds maintenance operative/gardener for three years.

The report also outlines alternative options considered and rejected, including doing nothing, which would lead to the continued deterioration of the park, and a partial refurbishment, which would require funding from existing budgets without attracting external support. Both these options would result in the loss of the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.

The project has undergone consultation with local councillors, residents, and park users, with feedback incorporated into the design and engagement elements. Financial implications indicate that the council's match funding will be met from the Physical Activity and Play Infrastructure budget. Legal implications include the council's responsibility to monitor the achievement of the Approved Purposes as defined under the grant agreement and to adhere to various conditions set by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, including potential repayment of the grant under specific circumstances. Equalities implications have been assessed, with no negative impacts anticipated.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has confirmed an offer of a Delivery Grant of up to £904,141.00, representing 84% of the total approved project cost of £1,077,870. The grant is to be used towards the Delivery Phase of the project, with the council's match funding secured from existing budgets. The grant agreement is detailed in the Grant Notification Letter NL-23-00007 19092025 Forest Gate Park. The full details of the project costs and income are outlined in Appendix 1 of the report. The Public reports pack 13th-Jan-2026 Officer Key Decision.pdf contains further information on this matter.