Restoration continues on Clissold House
Artist's impression of the new playground. Image: Hackney Council
Local historical treasure Clissold House edges ever closer to the completion of its refurbishment as £8.9 million’s worth of work continues on the building and park.
The building and surrounding park are being revamped by Hackney Council as part of a 15 month programme, the park’s most significant transformation in over 100 years.
Funding for the Clissold restoration project was initially confirmed in 2009. £4.1 million of investment in the project has come from the council itself, with further funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The council says the historical house now boasts a new roof and windows, with continued internal work to keep the building up to modern day standards whilst maintaining its eighteenth century elegance.
As work is completed, nearby residents can expect to see scaffolding removed and the building’s new look revealed. The refurbished house is due to open in summer of next year and will also be available for hire.
Nor is Clissold Park to be overlooked in this restoration effort. The council says that next few months will see paths across the park improved and continued improvements made on the now fully-excavated New River.
Visitors can also look forward to a modernised pavilion by Christmas of this year, complete with new toilet facilities.
The restoration will take a turn for the greener with the planting of 150 new trees in the park. Dangerous, dying or unsafe shrubs and tree stumps will be removed before next spring.
Younger users of the park can also get giddy over the prospect of a new adventure playground and multi-use games area, estimated to be ready for use in Spring 2011.
Situated in a ‘play landscape’, constructed using reclaimed material from the rest of the park, the new facilities will also include a wheels park and more picnic space.
Hackney Council’s cabinet member for community services, Cllr Jonathan McShane said: “This is a fantastic project and the council is proud that the investment is moving forward as planned and is transforming what is already a wonderful park.
“Once the work is finished, the park will offer local residents an even better place to relax in and enjoy. The newly restored House will be a local centre and also support itself as a venue for hire for local people and groups.”
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