The Pannett Park Project Team has delivered its final submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Parks for People programme and members are now crossing their fingers for the green light to go ahead.

A decision is expected from the Heritage Lottery Fund in December and, if successful, work will start on restoration of the park next April.

The project has been developed over two years by a partnership between The Friends of Pannett Park, Whitby Town Council and Scarborough Council.

In September 2007 the HLF made an initial award of £82,500 subject to the submission of a further bid by September 2008.

The project involves restoring the lily pond, providing a new children’s play area and a diverse range of events and activities in partnership with the Museum and Art Gallery.

It also includes a training plan to improve skills, and a management plan to raise the standard of park maintenance.

If successful the Heritage Lottery Fund will contribute £1.39m towards the refurbishment.

Whitby Town Council will fund a modern apprentice based on the park.

Scarborough Council has agreed to raise the maintenance budget for the park by £10,000 in addition to the £255,000 they will contribute towards the restoration works.

Robert Everiss, Pannett Park Project Officer, said “Preparing the submission has been a massive task which has involved a lot of hard work by many people.

“Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed for a positive answer from the Heritage Lottery Fund in December.

“In the mean time there is plenty of preparation work to do so, if we are awarded the funding, work can start promptly next spring.”

Walter Turner, chairman of The Friends of Pannett Park said: “Our dream for the future of Pannett Park becomes one step closer following the submission of the stage 2 bid.

“We have been overwhelmed by support from the people of Whitby for this project and we keenly await the HLF’s final decision in December.”