Moray Council and Mannachie Park Steering Group to reveal plans for upgrade online and at Forres Town Hall

RESIDENTS are being invited to comment on proposals for an improved public green space in the south of Forres.

Moray Council and Mannachie Park Steering Group have unveiled a design following an online survey and public consultation at the town hall earlier this year.

The council’s open space strategy manager, James Hunter, confirmed payments from developer obligations funded employment of consultants Rankinfraser Landscape Architecture to work on the plan which the steering group made up of residents and Forres Area Forum will progress.

Mr Hunter said: “The community has been fantastically enthusiastic - it’s great to see so many people engaged. Our aim is a workable vision for the future of the park that they help deliver and have a sense of ownership over. In the meantime, we will focus on the play area’s upgrading in collaboration with the community”

A further period of consultation on the finalised park design will be open online from November 14-30.

An exhibition of the plans is on at the town hall on Thursday, November 17 from 2.30-7.30pm. The drop-in will offer the chance to provide feedback directly to council officers from Open Spaces, the Community Support Unit and the design team.

A council spokesperson added: “The event will feature the designs in large scale.”

Featured in the vision are wildflower meadows, play and seated areas and more trees. It is proposed that areas of higher use, beside pathways, on an informal pitch, near the play park and adjacent to homes will be regularly mown but this will be relaxed elsewhere to increase biodiversity with more diverse flowering meadows and grassland seeding.

Proposals also include: planting a mixed native species hedge on the outside of the fence to the north of the park; improved adjacent road safety via gaps between timber posts and cladding or woven willow fence panels to the south; mixed bulb planting at Grantown Road; and supplementary perennial and shrub planting to improve diversity. Tree planting will be supplemented with: space for future expansion of the fruit orchard and options for community gardening; avenues of trees along the northern pathway and the link to Grantown Road; informal tree groups in long grass and areas of lower use; and a mix of native and non native plant species.

Informal play elements in the park’s Jubilee woodland have been proposed - options include boulders for seating and play, as well as willow tunnels.

Green gym equipment also suggested would create a fitness trail while bench seating is also proposed at regular intervals along the pathways.

A council spokesperson said: “The plan is yet to be finalised but the proposal includes informal play goals. There are no specific details on the gym equipment proposed at the moment. Everything can be included or developed if agreed by the community. The future work will be led by the steering group and subject to funding being raised.”

Finally, redevelopment of the existing play park is being covered by a separate dedicated project, consultation for which is ongoing in Forres schools.

“£70,000 of capital funding is allocated to upgrade the play area,” added the spokesperson. “Participatory budgeting will guide this but the community could potentially fundraise to increase the total.”

View the proposals at