Plans to widen and increase enjoyment of Staffordshire's country parks, while protecting plants and wildlife, are on the table. 

Since the pandemic there has been increased popularity in parks in the area. 

Staffordshire County Council is using this to promote healthy living, encourage the green agenda and support individuals and small businesses. 

Steps include improving facilities such as cafes and visitor centres; carrying out nature recovery work and creating woodlands to support carbon reduction; offering placements and volunteer opportunities; and encouraging people who would not usually visit - or find it difficult to do so.

Blythe Park, Staffordshire Moorlands (Sarah Garner)

Victoria Wilson, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet member for Communities and Culture, said: "The popularity of country parks has grown during and since the pandemic as people discovered, or rediscovered, their beauty. 

"Our aim is to manage that increased interest and offer new opportunities, while balancing protection of rare flora and fauna."

Considerations include: 

• Improving visitor facilities at Chasewater
• Allowing more commercial events and activities that don't compromise conservation 
• Planting more trees and restoring peatland to increase carbon capture
• Introducing electric vehicles and equipment to the estate and using renewable energy wherever possible 
• Promoting physical health and mental wellbeing with community walking programmes for those who don't usually visit country parks 
• Offer traineeships and develop links with colleges 

Victoria Wilson said: "Parks can play a huge part in people's health and wellbeing so we have to work out how to make these spaces attractive and accessible to a wide range of people without damaging what makes them special."

The council has already delayed the introduction of car parking charges to help residents with the cost of living crisis. 

Existing charges at some country parks are also being frozen for another 12 months.