Proposals for the future enhancement of St Neots Riverside Park
August 2024
We are pleased to announce that the Regatta Meadow path works have been successfully completed. You may have also noticed the removal of an old, degraded path from the park. This area will soon be transformed into a beautiful wildflower walk, as we plan to sow a variety of wildflower seeds to enhance the natural beauty of the park and support local wildlife.
As a requirement of our planning permission for the improved paths, we have widened the ditch to become a swale to enhance flood mitigation. To promote a thriving wetland habitat, we used green haying - a method where we spread hay collected from the site over the swales. This helps seed new plant life and encourages biodiversity.
Our initial Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) report showed positive potential and we look forward to completing the final assessment to see the full impact of our efforts.
Thank you for supporting the growth and enhancement of Regatta Meadow!
Pathway enhancement project
Our planning application for the Pathways Enhancement Project was approved at the Development Management Committee meeting in January 2023. We are now exploring funding options to support the project and once funding has been sourced, we will look to begin construction on this project at the earliest opportunity, considering the conditions of riverside land and the impacts of weather.
The project will create a safe and accessible route along the beautiful River Great Ouse frontage, supporting park users in benefiting their health and wellbeing.
Wider investment in Riverside Park
Alongside the proposed future enhancement of the entire pathway network in Riverside Park, we also have ambitions to explore wider investment in the open space. Riverside Park is a key strategic green space in St Neots, and we will be looking to produce some plans and proposals that could be used to bid for funding, enhancing the park beyond new and much-needed pathway restoration.
If you are interested in being involved in this or you have any questions, contact openspaces@huntingdonshire.gov.uk