PLANS to develop facilities at Tatton Park in a bid to attract more visitors and boost east Cheshire’s tourist economy have been given the green light.

Cheshire East Council cabinet passed the motion to progress with the ‘Field to Fork’ project at a meeting on Tuesday, June 14.

During the meeting, Cllr Sam Corcoran raised a question about the future of BeWILDerwood, but was told he would receive a written response from council leader, Rachel Bailey.

Part of the Tatton Vision will see the overhaul of Tatton Dale Farm, using money from the £3.8 million capital bid designated for the park in this year’s budget.

Cllr Jamie Macrae, Mobberley Ward councillor for Cheshire East, spoke at the meeting.

“I support the proposal,” he said. “I would like to thank the Tatton management team who continue to deliver excellent work in relation to the Tatton Vision.

“Tatton Park is a great educational facility, not just in east Cheshire, but it has won the Stamford award for education about six times.

“There is a wide range of activities and it certainly contributes towards health and wellbeing of Cheshire East and beyond. I would like to support all of the recommendations today.”

Other councillors spoke out in support of the plans to develop ‘Field to Fork’, which would see an overhaul of Tatton Dale Farm to represent the two centuries of agriculture on the estate.

“Tatton Park is one of the jewels in the crown of Cheshire East,” said Cllr Ainsley Arnold. “It continues to host major events such as the northern RHS Flower Show and attracts more than 800,000 visitors per annum, contributing £8.8 million a year to the local economy.”

Cllr Don Stockton, who seconded the motion to approve the recommendations, also added: “The Field to Fork project as outlined in the paper will make a very positive contribution to the visitor offer that is Tatton Park.”

As the Guardian went to press there had been no updates on plans for BeWILDerwood.