They say there is a reason the majestic bronze statue of Sir Titus Salt in Robert Park, Saltaire, seems to face in the wrong direction.

Instead of satisfyingly surveying his achievement of creating the self-contained village, now a world heritage site, he wanted to look, instead, to the future.

If he were alive today, he would surely agree the future of the site looks bright as £4.9 million plans to restore the park to its former glory were unveiled yesterday.

Four years after the idea was sparked to give the park a make-over, in tune with 21st century Saltaire, residents can now see Bradford Council's vision for the restoration.

The plans come after the Council secured initial Lottery funding of £114,800 and ploughed £80,000 into the project to get the ball rolling.

Nottingham-based Historic Landscape Consultants (HTLA) were hired to bring the project together.

The plans were unveiled at the Half Moon Pavilion and will be on display and updated for the public over the next two months.

The blueprints are by no means set in stone and residents and visitors are being urged to put their mark on moulding the park, which covers six hectares.

People have until the end of June to have their say and residents are being encouraged to share their memories of the park and offer any memorabilia.

School children are also being asked to give their opinions and a competition has been launched for youngsters up to the age of 11.

The plans will be pulled together in time for the Council to submit its Parks for People Programme bid in October.

It is hoped a decision will be made by April 2008 and, if successful, work will start in October next year. It will then take up to two years for the plans to become a reality.

Getting people excited about the project is vital to the success of the bid and sustaining the park, according to Bradford Council's principal technical and development manager, Ian Day.

He added: "It is absolutely imperative we get as much local support for the project, not only so we can demonstrate to the Lottery that people are passionate about the park and want to see it improved, but so we can accurately show what people want to see in the park. It is an integral part of the village of Saltaire."

HTLA director Dr Hilary Taylor added: "People need to feel proud of their local park. It is very rare to have a park of such significance locally and internationally."

Heritage champion for Bradford Council, Councillor Ann Hawkesworth said: "This project is important for the whole concept of Saltaire and the direction we want to take Bradford in. It is also very important for the park in its own right."

All three champions agreed if they could ask him about the plans, Sir Titus Salt would say It's about time'.

The plans will be on show at Half Moon Pavilion while the Saltaire Cricket Club is open on weekends and can be viewed during a programme of Sunday afternoon concerts at the park.

e-mail: mel.fairhurst @bradford.newsquest.co.uk

What the plans include:
  • Restoration of Half Moon Pavilion, the Lodge and the bronze statue of Sir Titus Salt
  • Introduce a café
  • Re-instate the original band stand
  • Employ an assistant park manager and gardener
  • Provide quality seating and storage and restore shelters
  • Landscaping, to include colourful floral beds, reinstate lawns
  • Renew paths throughout the park
  • Reinstate north and east boundary walls, railings and gated entrances
  • Introduce a children's play area
  • Provide fencing and lighting to increase security and safety