Ipswich: The borough’s former nursery at Chantry Park is to get a new lease of life – teaching the park rangers and managers of the future.

The nursery has been disused since the former administration at Grafton House decided to buy in plants, rather than growing their own from seed, in 2005.

Now the greenhouses and outdoor growing areas are to be leased to Suffolk New College which is starting a new urban and park horticulture course in September.

The large greenhouses have stayed in good condition, although for the last six years they have only been used for a few weeks in the year to store bought-in plants.

The smaller wooden-framed greenhouse is currently being restored but at present has no panes of glass.

Borough leader David Ellesmere was delighted to have secured the deal with the college to bring an under-used area back to life.

He said: “The nursery here has very good facilities and it is a real shame they have not been used very much for the last few years. By working with the college, we are able to bring them back into use, while local people will be given the chance to train and gain very welcome new skills.”

Suffolk New College associate principal Mary Gleave was also pleased about the deal to bring the nurseries back into use.

She said: “We are pleased to be working with Ipswich Council and to develop this area of curriculum providing opportunities for the young people of Ipswich and South Suffolk in urban horticulture.”

n Are you pleased to see the nurseries brought back to life? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk