Rotherham's Clifton Park was recently awarded more than £4 million by the National Lottery for a major revamp.

The money will be used to restore some of the 56-acre park's historic features, including its walled gardens and war memorial.

Improvements are also to be carried out to the main routes through the park, and some of the money spent on restoring some of its lost footpaths.

A new garden house, water play area and restored bandstand are among other plans designed to offer more space for events and activities.

But Rotherham Council bosses say that changes may have to be made to the scheme after experts revealed that a proposed biomass boiler in the garden house would need an eight metre-high chimney.

The council says that the team behind the restoration project - including the lottery and English Heritage - was unaware of the chimney, which would require special planning permission.

It is now considering changing the boiler to gas after being told that this would not require a chimney. Detailed costings are being prepared for both types of boiler and a decision will then be made by the project team.

Phil Rogers, director of culture and leisure, said "The park has a special place in the hearts of local people with happy memories of childhood visits to the paddling pool or to a concert in the bandstand.

"Now the time is right to breathe new life into the park's landscapes and facilities, and we have been working hard with the Friends of Clifton Park and others to develop detailed proposals."

The council has appointed a new park manager and work is going ahead on designing a new children's play area.The whole project is expected to be completed by December 2009.

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