A park’s multi-million-pound upgrade could be ready as early as next summer after more funding was unlocked.

Stone Parish Council has announced the ambitious transformation of Stone Recreation Ground, in London Road, Stone can now go ahead.

It comes after the parish council secured a cash injection of £3.8m from Dartford council’s levy on developers working on housing projects in the area.

The parish council had already committed funds of £650k towards the scheme and with the contribution from community infrastructure levy (CIA) receipts can now complete the project.

The plans are much needed, they say, because almost half of the properties being built on the nearby housing development at Knight’s Reach do not have access to private outdoor space.

New recreational/leisure activities including a pump track, multi-use games area, youth shelter, performance stage, climbing logs, table tennis, outdoor gym and running track.

The renovation will also include construction of a new community cafe to enable the relocation of the smaller Lizzie’s eaterie and an expansion of the Stone Pavilion.

Cash will also pay for improved landscaping throughout the park, providing 167 more trees, shrubs, meadow areas, and paths.

Better lighting will also be added, as well as security cameras, accessibility features such as a Changing Places toilet and sensory garden, and improvements to the war memorial and remembrance garden.

It follows a round of community consultation on the area’s neighbourhood plan to establish the wishes of residents in improving open spaces and creating a park fit for the future.

The parish council says the expansion of Stone Pavilion will enable more groups to use the space to run recreational activities.

Chair of the Council, Jessica McQueen said: “This is wonderful news, which means this long-awaited scheme can now be delivered at a vital time for the parish community.

“After lots of consultation with local residents, we feel we have designed an exciting, diverse, and accessible scheme that should ensure our community is well served for leisure and recreation needs.

“The recent pandemic showed us very clearly how valuable outdoor recreation spaces are and we cannot wait to see the community enjoying the new facilities, hopefully by next summer.

“We would also encourage any local residents or community groups that have ideas for how we can make best use of the new features to contact us to discuss this further.”

Stone Pavilion is already used as a base for fitness classes, dance classes, martial arts and more but the council says it often has to turn away groups which make enquiries to use the hall as there is not enough space.

The scheme is expected to cost a total of £4,470,000 and is already being funded by an existing CIL grant of £650,000 and an Urban Tree Challenge Fund of more than £29,000 from The Forestry Commission.

A contractor is expected to be appointed in early 2024 with work predicted to be completed by next summer.