A £1 MILLION project to create a new country park in Gedling has moved a step closer.
Plans to turn the former Gedling colliery site, off Spring Lane, into a country park have been in the pipeline for at least ten years.
But lack of money and other complications have delayed it.
Now Gedling Borough Council plans to ask developers to tender for the scheme.
The authority is to advertise an invitation for "expressions of interest to tender" from construction companies to create Gedling Country Park – estimated to cost £1.1 million.
The park would include a 40-space car park, footpaths and an access road.
Peter Hollins, 66, of Spring Lane, said: "This has been going on for long enough. Finally it's moving forward. If it's all organised and landscaped properly, I welcome this."
Hayley Carnill, 47, of Spring Lane, Lambley, welcomed the development but raised concerns over traffic.
"I would rather a country park than a load of houses," she said. "But Spring Lane is busy enough as it is and that might increase with a country park that has 40 parking spaces."
Louise Trimble, 47, of Spring Lane in Lambley, said: "If it goes ahead, that would be fantastic. I would definitely use it to walk my dog."
Ms Trimble, who teaches at Mapperley Plains Primary School, in Central Avenue, Mapperley, also said she would welcome a learning facility for kids in the new park.
"It would be especially nice for kids who aren't as fortunate to live in the countryside to learn about birds, nature and conservation. Attenborough Nature Centre sets a good example for things of that sort."
The old colliery site was previously owned by UK Coal, but now belongs Harworth Estates – formerly the property division of UK Coal.
The borough council says it is negotiating with Harworth Estates to buy the site.
It says the cost of building the park would be between £100,000 and £250,000.
It also has available a £250,000 Government grant, which has to be spent by March 2013, £500,000 of its own public realm fund and £360,000 to "potentially" come from contributions by developers, according to official documents.
The council said it was unable to divulge any more details on the scheme, due to ongoing negotiations.
Contractors will be asked to complete questionnaires by Monday, January 21, for a two month contract, which would start in March or April this year.
