A HISTORIC park - which was designated as being 'at risk' by English Heritage - is set to miss out on much-needed cash from a new £220 million scheme to revamp London's public spaces.

Wanstead Park, which is all that is left of the once magnificent Wanstead House Estate, was added to the national at risk register earlier this year after it was found to be deteriorating and suffering from 'extensive significant problems.'

This gave conservationists hope that new investment would eventually be made available to bring its landscaped grounds back to their former glory - but their plans have taken a blow after no money was allocated for its restoration in Boris Johnson's new Great Outdoor's plan.

Ralph Potter, of Wanstead Parkland's Community Project, said the park was one of 14 listed green spaces in the capital to miss out on funding from the programme - which was launched to improve the capital's public spaces.

He said: "I can't understand why all of the listed parks on the at risk register have been left out of this.

"This park is an important green space and is of great historic importance, and yet it is not deemed worthy to receive any of this huge amount of money.

"The park has a range of problems that need to be addressed. Two of the lakes are leaking water and we still have work to do to locate the Roman villa.

"To begin to address the park's problems we need to create a conservation management plan, which could cost as much as £100,000 to do.

"I approached the London Development Agency through Design for London to ask for about half of this cost, but was told there is no money left in the pot.

"Compared to £220 million this is just a drop in the ocean."

A spokesperson for the Mayor said: "The Mayor wants to improve London's public spaces and create places that are fit for a great world city that everyone can enjoy.

"That is why he recently launched his Great Outdoors Programme, which brings together all the existing Mayoral strategies in relation to parks and streets, such as the Priority Parks Scheme.

"However, this programme is not a new source of funding.

"Under the Priority Parks Scheme, a number of local parks were nominated by the boroughs to receive funding for improvements. Unfortunately, Wanstead Park wasn't nominated for this scheme by Redbridge Council.

"However, the Mayor’s Office recently met with representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund who are very keen to provide funding for parks on English Heritage's 'at risk register.' The Mayor would encourage boroughs to work with local community groups, such as Wanstead Parkland's Community Project, to apply for Heritage Lottery funding."

For more information visit the Mayor of London's website at: london.gov.uk.