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Watermead Park could get a visitor centre as part of a multi-million pound plan to regenerate the area around the beauty spot.

The idea to increase the number of visitors to the park near Thurmaston from 430,000 people a year to 516,000.

No exact location has been chosen for the attraction but the concept has been included in Charnwood Borough Council’s Watermead Regeneration Corridor project which will look to revitalise Thurmaston and the surrounding area including Watermead Park over the next 15 years.

An action plan has been developed which sets out nearly 30 short, medium and long-term goals.

Other objectives include improving walking links between the park, Leicester and Thurmaston and to improve the experience of visitors to the area and more use of the River Soar and Grand Union Canal by adding moorings.

The plan, unveiled today, also looks to develop the public areas in Thurmaston, particularly along Melton Road, to make them more attractive for pedestrians while encouraging the redevelopment of buildings for community, cultural and food and drink uses.

It also aims to encourage high-quality residential, business and leisure development near to Leicester Marina.

The council’s lead member for planning and inward investment Eric Vardy said: “This is the start of something exciting for Thurmaston and the surrounding area.

“We have outlined a plan to regenerate this area and make it a better place to live, work and visit and we want to make it a destination for people.

“We are not getting carried away and fully accept that this is a long-term strategy and it is going to take time.

“The success of this plan will also depend upon solid, partnership-working for the good of the local community.

“There are many challenges ahead including securing funding to make some of the proposals happen, but we are confident that with the community’s help we can make it happen.”

The council says the project will require significant funding though it has not said exactly how much.

It expects the investment to come from a range of sources including partners, grants and contributions from new developments in the area secured in section 106 legal agreements.

Some developments will also have to be carried out by other organisations including Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council as they both own different parts of Watermead Country Park.

A Watermead Members’ Advisory Group has been formed which includes borough councillors and representatives from Birstall and Thurmaston Parish Council, Wanlip Parish Meeting and Syston Town Council.

This group will provide a sounding board for the work being done by officers.