Creating a Park for Midsomer Norton has been a long-held ambition for some in the town; a multi-use, green space for all to enjoy, which could also link up to Westfield and Radstock.

Love or hate this approach, since the new Town Council was created in 2011, a real effort has been made to introduce more greenery into the High Street, with the aim being to cultivate civic pride.

Whilst the planting in the river has been divisive, the idea has been to encourage wildlife, and plans for Midsomer Norton’s Town Park are likely to be similar. Don’t expect manicured lawns – for this largely unknown space behind the Somer Centre is due to be transformed, in stages, and as funding allows, to make the most of its ‘wildness’.

Paul Myers, who stepped down as the Town’s Mayor in May, has become Acting Secretary of the Midsomer Norton Town Trust, alongside his B&NES duties for the Redfield Ward of Midsomer Norton.

Speaking to The Journal last week, he said: “We see Midsomer Norton’s Town Park as having a crucial part to play in the regeneration of the High Street; not just as a space for local residents to spend leisure time, but to be a destination, bringing in new visitors to the space which we aim to link up with the High Street one day.

“But this will be a really gradual process, and this space cannot be transformed overnight. It is too huge a project.

“The only way that we can make it sustainable will be to use the space – with planned events and an amphitheatre, which could have up to 300 seats, and potentially used for outdoor cinema, too.

“The town is named Midsomer Norton after all, and one idea we could develop could be an annual event of a Midsummer Night’s Dream production with local theatre companies each Midsummer.

“There’s no harm in making this space work for us – after all, even the Eden Project has a gift shop!

“We are working very closely with and have the support of, B&NES Council on this project. The Town Council is taking the lead – whilst the Trust is working with other partners, which so far, include the Radstock & Midsomer Norton Lions Club, who are working on a project for a sensory garden, and the Townswomen’s Guild, which has planted a commemorative tree for Women’s Suffrage.”

The vision is to have a grand entrance to put the Park on the map; just outside the Somer Centre, which will also act as a meeting place, for perhaps a Midsomer Norton Parkrun or other activities.

The space is extraordinary. An open secret of eight acres of open parkland, currently known to dog walkers and a select few residents, sees a climb up to the top of the batch, which flattens out with far-reaching views over Midsomer Norton and the Somer Valley.

Whilst it may not look like it, a great amount of work has already been done in clearing out scrub last Autumn and in Spring this year. However, anything further has been slow, as ecologists supervise this work and are specific about when and where cutting can take place. Plans include controlling re-growth of excessive areas of bramble and nettles along the recently laid riverside footpath (with stone due to be compacted further for wheelchair friendliness). This was completed as part of Phase One of the plan, and will include the gradual establishment of mown grass paths through the Wild Meadow, plus developing the grassland meadow flora.

So far, ground investigation and contamination studies have taken place, which have identified low levels of asbestos buried on site. Further work is to be done to gain a fuller picture of the extent of this contaminant and resulting mitigation measures.

Clearance work has opened up a link from the Five Arches Greenway to the area for the Wild Meadow, but is currently only for the sure-footed. Work will be carried out to provide gentle, sloping access and steps. Further planning and costing is due on the amphitheatre, Celebration Meadow and Greenway link space, with further tree planting to take place in Autumn.

As part of the plans, levelling out is planned to improve pedestrian and vehicular access. However, the Trust is acutely aware of current and potential anti-social behaviour challenges in terms of motorbikes and group gatherings.

The Town Council gifted this land (which cost just over £60,000) to the Town Trust, which will be responsible for fundraising at various phases of this project. £300,000 has come from S106 monies from local planning developments for Phase One. Further funding will need to be sought for future stages of the Park’s growth.

Cllr Myers explains: “This is something that will evolve over time. In terms of the Town Trust, by Autumn, we hope to have a dedicated website and office space for this project.

“We have completed a massive amount of work already. This next phase will be really decisive. The Trust vision for this Park is to be like the ‘Room of Requirement’ in Harry Potter, so that it is many things to many people and can be used for nature walks, football, running – whatever is wanted, within reason, and as long as visitors are respectful of the environment and people around them.

“Hopefully, this space will develop and grow, and be something that present and future generations of Midsomer Norton residents can use and enjoy.”