BCP Council has been chosen by the National Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund as one of eight places across the UK – out of over 80 that applied – to take part in its Future Parks programme

This means the authority will receive a share of more than £6millon of funding and £5million worth of advice and support from some of the country’s leading experts in conservation, fundraising, volunteering and green space management.

Councillor Felicity Rice, cabinet portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said: "Keeping our parks and open spaces running efficiently and attracting more people to actively use these beautiful and inspiring spaces are vital for health and well-being.

"This investment into BCP Council’s parks and open spaces highlights the confidence in our management of these areas and underpins our ethos to ensure these valuable spaces are protected and enhanced for future generations.

"It is great to be investing in parks and green infrastructure given the huge issues of climate crisis and wildlife loss.”

In the first project of its kind in the UK, Future Parks is designed to help councils find sustainable ways to manage and fund parks and open spaces across entire towns and cities.

Council officials, working alongside the Bournemouth Parks Foundation – an independent charity devoted to enhancing Bournemouth's parks, gardens and green spaces– submitted its plan to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Trust to help develop a new open space strategy for the area.

Alongside this, a business plan will be created that will set out how this partnership can enhance its parks, nature reserves, beaches and open spaces for future generations.

Bournemouth Parks Foundation manager Cathi Farrier said: "This two-year project will put our parks and open spaces on the best possible path for the future, enabling us to continue setting a national example around the benefits of a charitable partnership for our parks.

"Improving the environment in which we live by combining our knowledge and expertise ensures these areas remain at the forefront of parks nationally, which is something we are looking forward to expanding and sharing best practice on."

Other Council’s which have been successful in securing funding include Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridgeshire, Edinburgh, Islington and Camden, Nottingham and Plymouth.

National Trust director general Hilary McGrady said: "Today is a landmark moment for the nation’s urban parks. This is not just about new ways to fund and support these much-loved community spaces, but completely re-thinking the role green spaces play in our lives and how we can ensure they thrive for generations to come."