An award-winning, grade II listed park in Ilford has been proposed as the site for a major new community development. 

Valentines Park in Cranbrook Road could welcome a host of brand-new facilities after it was named in a planning application earlier this month. 

The proposed plans were submitted to Redbridge Council on April 3 and are currently under consideration. 

Ilford Recorder: A drawing of what the outside of the plans could look likeA drawing of what the outside of the plans could look like (Image: Wake Morley)If approved, an area of the park would be developed to provide a new community facility, including an outdoor lido and gym. 

Valentines Park previously hosted a lido, which was opened in 1924 but closed in 1994 and demolished in 1995, after the costs to maintain it became too much. 

Ilford Recorder: A lido could return to the parkA lido could return to the park (Image: Wake Morley)

Currently, the green space offers the community a children's play area, tennis courts, boating lake, mansion house and walled garden, and picnic area. 

This new application would also bring with it a gym, studio, meeting room, and a cafe with outdoor seating. 

Ilford Recorder: A drawing of the planned cafe A drawing of the planned cafe (Image: Wake Morley)The plans seek to build on an area of grassland, trees and a disused hardstanding court in the south-east region of the park. 

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As a whole, Valentines Park is said to be the largest green space within Redbridge, according to the council, measuring in at 52 hectares of land. 

Ilford Recorder: There will also be allocated parking for cars and bicycles.There will also be allocated parking for cars and bicycles. (Image: Wake Morley)The development would encompass just 1.72 hectares, with sports courts to the east, and open park to the north and west. 

The green space won a Green Flag Award, which recognises and rewards well-maintained parks globally.