Downshire Field

As the green heart of the Alton Estate, Downshire Field is undergoing a thoughtful transformation to enhance its beauty and functionality. The updates, part of the Alton Early Improvement Plan, respect the area’s heritage while addressing the needs of today’s residents.

Enhancing usability and biodiversity

The redevelopment aims to create a welcoming and versatile space for everyone in the community. Key improvements include:

• Natural play areas: A redesigned play zone integrated with the park’s natural surroundings, featuring wooden structures and informal pathways
• Accessible path networks: Step-free loops that make the field navigable for individuals of all mobility levels
• Comfortable rest areas: Additional seating and shaded spaces for relaxation
• Environmental improvements: Biodiversity-focused planting schemes that support wildlife and exceed environmental standards

Preserving historical significance

Downshire Field’s design honours its historical role as a Registered Park and Garden. The updated layout works to restore the original open grassland vistas while maintaining the picturesque charm of the mid-20th-century landscape.

Guided by community feedback

The redesign process has actively involved residents, ensuring their input shaped the final proposals. Suggestions for better lighting, safer paths, and more inclusive play areas have been incorporated to balance the field’s historical importance with contemporary needs.

A space for all seasons

The enhanced Downshire Field will serve as a haven for leisure, nature, and community interaction. Its thoughtful updates ensure it remains a beloved and functional space for generations to come.

Timeframe for development

The plans for enhancements to the landscaping and play facilities at Downshire Field received unanimous approval at the Planning Applications Committee on 20 June 2024. This marked a major first stage in the delivery of the Alton Renewal Plan.

The construction for the Downshire Field improvement works is scheduled to commence in summer 2025, with completion anticipated by spring 2026.