Public to have its say on future of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park

Public to have its say on country park's future Image source, Google Image caption, Residents and visitors are invited to have their say on plans for Mount Edgcumbe By Britta Zeltmann South West Published 54 minutes ago Planning is under way to help shape and sustain the future of a popular country park, with the public invited to have their say. Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, which overlooks Plymouth Sound from the Rame Peninsula, in Cornwall, attracts more than 250,000 visitors each year.

A £65,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will now fund a conservation management and business plan for the estate, setting out how it can be conserved, restored and managed over the next 10 years. Councillor Loic Rich, portfolio holder for environment and climate change at Cornwall Council, said the funding was "an important investment in the future of the park". More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall He added the conservation management plan will provide the "strategic framework needed" to care for the park's "exceptional heritage, support nature recovery and respond to the impacts of climate change".

Mount Edgcumbe Country Park spans 350 hectares (865 acres) and is jointly owned by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council. The Conservation Management Plan will assess the significance of the park's landscapes, gardens, buildings, archaeology and biodiversity. It will also identify priorities for future investment and help address challenges including climate change, nature recovery, visitor expectations, organisational resilience and long-term financial sustainability. 'Exceptional heritage' Stuart McLeod, director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "Mount Edgcumbe Country Park is one of the South West's most significant historic landscapes, with exceptional heritage, important habitats and a unique setting overlooking Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will help create a long-term vision for the estate, supporting its conservation, resilience and sustainable future." Conservation architects and heritage consultants Purcell will prepare the management plan, supported by consultants in landscape archaeology, ecology and arboriculture. The project is set to run until June 2027 and include engagement with stakeholders, local communities and visitors.

To have their say, residents and visitors can complete a short public survey , external , open until 14 December. Follow BBC Cornwall on X , external , Facebook , external and Instagram , external . Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk , external . Related topics Cornwall More on this story Dig reveals walls of hidden medieval village Published 23 August Related internet links Mount Edgcumbe Country Park