PLANS to spend £3m on Queen Elizabeth Country Park have been confirmed.

Transforming the visitor centre will be the central theme of the improvements by park owners Hampshire County Council.

The visitor centre will include a bigger café, more welcoming entrance, outdoor sheltered area and space for tourism based businesses; that will all contribute to the park’s income generation.

New play features will also be developed as part of the Forts and Fleets project, as will a fitness assault course, a dog agility trail and community space – part-funded by £163,000 from the Armed Forces Covenant Grant Scheme.

A multi-use learning space for groups and private hire will also be provided at the 766-hectare park.

A funding commitment of £1.75m from Hampshire County Council could help attract match funding of £850,000 from the Enterprise M3 LEP Local Growth Fund.

The South Downs National Park Authority will be a strategic partner in developing this project; working with the council in transforming the park as a hub and a gateway into the wider South Downs National Park.

Staunton Country Park at Havant will also benefit, with council putting forward a £4.7m work programme, scheduled to be finished ahead of Staunton’s bicentenary in 2019.

The majority of the work at the 193 hectare site will focus on the historic parkland and will include restoration of the Grade II* registered landscape.

Conservation work will be carried out on the historic follies and buildings, and the Victorian Coach House converted into a visitor centre including a café.

The decision to go ahead with the works was made by HCC leader, Councillor Roy Perry, on Wednesday, November 9.

He said: “I’m delighted to approve these plans which will offer a wider range of modern attractions within the stunning setting of Hampshire’s countryside.

“Staunton and Queen Elizabeth Country Parks already attract around 700,000 visitors a year. By investing now, we will help them thrive and prosper in the future, making the most of their natural and historical features and encouraging more people to visit and enjoy them.”