PLANS to restore Rivington Terraced Gardens and revamp Lever Park, Chorley, have been given a cautious welcome by Chorley Borough Council.

North West Water wants to create a regional visitor centre at the water treatment works, redevelop Rivington Hall barn courtyard and outbuildings, and set up a water sports centre at Anderton Hall.

It hopes money will be available from the Millennium Fund and other sources.

Coun Lindsay Hoyle, chairman of the council's economic development and tourism committee welcomed plans to increase the full potential of the historic area.

But he was worried an increase in visitors could increase traffic problems.

"We need to sort these out before any final decisions are reached," stressed Coun Hoyle.

"Lever Park is a unique asset which must be managed sensitively.

"We need to involve the whole local community and have a locally-focused and accountable management body if we are to achieve the park's full potential without losing what it currently offers.

"The council is concerned that a body which has functions in other parts of the region might well spend some of the income from Lever Park in other areas, rather than using it to improve the facilities of Lever Park."

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