Sloughbottom Park Regeneration

A major investment into community sport, wellbeing and inclusive public space

Transforming a Much‑Loved Community Park

Sloughbottom Park has long been a busy part of life in Mile Cross — home to football clubs, the BMX track, family activities and a popular weekly parkrun. Despite how well‑used it is, many of the facilities had started to show their age, and several areas no longer met the needs of the people relying on them each week. The park welcomes an estimated 18,000 visitors a year, so improving it had become a clear priority for the community.

In 2025, Norwich City Council secured £7.6 million of Levelling Up Funding, supported by £850,000 from the Greater Norwich Growth Board, to move forward with a major upgrade. Greyfriars was appointed to support the programme through project management and cost management, working alongside the Council and design team to develop a deliverable and affordable scheme.

A Regeneration Designed Around Local Needs

The plans have been shaped by the people who use Sloughbottom Park most — local sports clubs, families, accessibility groups, the BMX community, residents and volunteers. Consultation was central to the process, particularly for the new play area where the Council received 741 responses, with “Ecology Giants” chosen as the preferred design

This feedback helped refine the layout and priorities: better lighting, improved routes, modern changing facilities, a more welcoming pavilion and a play space that works for a wide range of users. The aim has been to strengthen what people already love about the park, while fixing things that have held it back.

Our Project Management Approach

Greyfriars Project Management has supported Norwich City Council from the early stages through to planning. This included coordinating design disciplines, managing surveys, facilitating workshops, reviewing risks and keeping the programme aligned with Council requirements and funding timelines. Regular technical meetings, clear reporting and close working relationships kept the project moving smoothly across RIBA Stages 1–3.

Achieving planning approval in March 2026 was an important milestone. It reflects a scheme that balances community priorities, technical requirements and long‑term resilience.

Cost Confidence Through Expert Quantity Surveying

Greyfriars Cost Management has prepared detailed cost plans throughout the development of the project, covering everything from the new 3G pitch and Sports Hub to the pavilion refurbishment, lighting upgrades, landscaping and infrastructure works. Elemental cost breakdowns, value engineering reviews and clear assumptions have allowed the Council to make informed choices as the design evolved.

We also supported the financial side of the Levelling Up Fund submission, ensuring cost information met the requirements of the funding process and gave confidence that the project could be delivered within the allocated budget.

Services Provided:

• Client project management
• Cost Management
• Quantity Surveying
• Managing client and external design teams
• Risk management
• Budget management
• Stakeholder management and engagement

Next Steps: Moving Towards Delivery

With planning permission in place, the focus now shifts to technical design and preparing for procurement.
The upcoming work will include:

• Finalising RIBA Stage 4 designs
• Preparing tender documentation for contractor appointment
• Continuing ecological, drainage and infrastructure assessments
• Working closely with Norwich City Council on programme, phasing and logistics
• Ongoing engagement with local groups as the project progresses

Greyfriars will continue providing project management and cost management through these stages, supporting the Council as the scheme moves towards construction and, ultimately, a stronger and more accessible Sloughbottom Park for the community.

More Information

To learn more about the project view Norwich City Council’s Press Release: Sloughbottom Park and Dolphin Path Project | Norwich City Council

Or read about our appointment here: Sloughbottom Park Regeneration: Greyfriars Appointed as Lead Consultant