Residents are leading an initiative to restore formal borders at Water Tower Gardens in Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is supporting the project, marking the first stage in a wider community driven regeneration of this historic city centre park.

With the existing shrubs within the borders now woody and no longer growing to their full potential, the borders no longer reflect the park's formal layout.

Following residents and stakeholders expressing a clear desire to see the borders refreshed, a project has been developed by the Water Tower Gardens Working Group to refresh the park.

"The Water Tower Gardens is a much loved place by people who live in close proximity and those in the wider neighbourhood," said Matt Baker, co-chair of Garden Quarter Community Association.

"It is exciting that there is opportunity to make the first steps in making it a better place for all. We already have a team of residents, bowlers, dog walkers, teenagers, scouts and school children who want to be part of this brighter future for our park."

The working group has taken a leading role in shaping the project and aims eventually to establish itself as a formal "Friends of" organisation.

To prepare for replanting, the borders will soon be carefully cleared back to bare ground, with timing chosen to minimise impact on wildlife.

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The park's mature holly trees, which form a defining feature of the parks design, will be retained - with only the older planting beneath them being removed.

In a positive move for sustainability, a local composting company has offered to remove the majority of green waste generated during the clearance, compost it off-site and return the finished compost for reuse in the renewed borders.

With the council funding the initial clearance, it will provide support from landscape architect team, who will work with the Working Group to develop a refreshed planting scheme that respects the historic character of the gardens.

Although broader funding is limited at present, completing this first phase will enable the council and the Working Group to begin shaping a long term masterplan for the wider park and seek future funding opportunities.

These improvements align with national Safer Parks for Women and Girls guidance, which highlights the importance of clear sightlines and visibility in helping people feel safe. Renewing the borders will open up views across the gardens and contribute to a safer space.

Cllr Stuart Bingham said: "I'm delighted to see residents leading the way in shaping the future of Water Tower Gardens. Their commitment and enthusiasm have driven this project from the start.

"I want to give a heartfelt thanks to the all the residents who are working on this project, they are making this much-loved corner of Chester better for everyone."