PLANS for major improvements to Poole Park are another step closer now that planning applications have been submitted to the council.

A raft of detailed proposals were consulted on last year as part of Borough of Poole’s £2.7m bid for Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) for improvements for the Victorian park.

And after three years of work the team behind the project finally submitted their bid for the National Lottery cash last month.

Now the team have an anxious wait until this summer to see if the bid is successful - but that hasn't stopped Borough of Poole from submitting a number of detailed planning applications for the proposed work.

Plans include restoration of the entrances, the bridge over the sluice channel and the war memorial.

The significant projects which require planning permission include:

+ Dredging of the saline lagoon (boating lake) and two freshwater lakes.

The aim of the dredging is to make the lagoon deeper. All the dredged material will be re-used within Poole Park to restore the existing islands, create new islands and other features, or for landscaping uses.

Some of the new features will be created below the water line to allow vegetation to establish.

+ Resurfacing of the Park Drive, which will improve accessibility, reduce vehicle dominance and provide a better quality surface that reduces maintenance.

+ Car parks and key feature areas will be resurfaced and redesigned and will include the construction of a new shared space at the Seldown Gate entrance. Some of the key elements include a reduction in the number of parking spaces at Westfield car park, near to The Kitchen. But Norton’s gate will be opened up for formal parking for the first time.

+ Conservation work to the brick piers at the historic entrances to improve their condition.

+ Wooden and concrete bollards will be removed and the bins in the park will be replaced. The new bins will be able to take recycling for the first time, and will also be vermin proof.

+ Removal of all temporary structures and the structurally condemned bridge over the sluice channel and construction of a new bridge and railings. The new sluice bridge will be made from Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) and will include decorative parapet railings and safety fencing. At the same time as the bridge construction the two brick piers will also be restored.

According to the Design and Access Statement these features are the "most neglected" of any in the park due to "126 years of exposure to the elements" and being in a location where maintenance is practically very difficult.

There are also plans to create two new "destination play areas" and extend the play landscape outside of the fenced play area.

According to the application Westfield play area is "tired, old and in desperate need of full replacement". Meanwhile Cygnet play area is younger but also showing "significant signs of wear" and is in need of improvement.

Plans also include using a large area of gravel to host picnic benches and some natural play equipment as well as replacing some of the outdoor fitness equipment in the park.

The creation of a quiet garden on the former go-kart track and the restoration of the centenary water fountain have also been included in the application.