GAZETTE & HERALD: A LIFE enhancing pocket park in the middle of Calne has been given planning permission.

North Wiltshire District Council, which owns the land at Castlefields, wants to create the so-called pocket park comprising new footpaths, landscaping and the partial restoration of a section of canal.

The site is an existing area of open space and part of the gardens belonging to Marden House.

Chairman of the Castlefields River and Park Project, Denis Robinson, said: "It will create a little bit of interest, a sitting area and open up some views into the park from the New Road roundabout.

"At the moment the tail end of Marden House gardens is just a bit of scrub land and is overgrown and this will be opened up and enhanced.

"We will be creating a little park using native plants and water margin plants as well to get better drainage.

"There's a cycle way from the lock, which is always very muddy, and the drainage will benefit that, making it dry."

The project is likely to cost at least £25,000 with funding coming from the Government-presented Living Spaces award.

Mr Robinson said the new park would benefit the people of Calne: "It will be an interactive feature for people to see from the A4 and for people to use as part of Castlefields Park."