spots has passed a key hurdle with planners.

The scheme has been agreed in principle by the Development Applications Board.

Now it is hoped the big spruce-up will get under way in the spring.

The venture -- part of an attempt to revamp all the Island's parks -- will eat up a large slice of Government's parks improvment budget.

This year's budget was $200,000, and the next one is likely to be about the same.

Mr. John Barnes, director of the Agriculture, Fisheries & Parks department, said: "It is our major project of the year. We are all very excited about it.'' Under the scheme, the Shelly Bay Park will be extensively redesigned.

There will be widespread landscaping, with scores of trees planted to prettify the area.

Tarmac will be grassed over, new park signs put up and parking spots relocated. Play equipment will also be installed to boost the park as a recreational area for families.

Other improvements are also planned, including turning changing rooms into toilets, and removing overhead utility lines.

About 14 acres of land will be covered by the revamp, which will mean changes to traffic flows.

One of the principle changes being considered is the closing of Old Road to through traffic.

Last October people were invited to a site meeting to review the draft proposals for the overhaul.

The DAB approved the scheme in principle, subject to two conditions.

The Board stated a building permit had to be acquired before work at the site started.

And it reserved final approval for all details of the project, including landscaping, parking, and access to the site.

Mr. Barnes yesterday said he hoped the scheme would turn Shelly Bay Park into the key "resource'' area in the east end.

"The water there is very shallow, and it is a popular area with locals in the summer.'' The department has already carried out improvments to Church Bay Park and John Smith's Bay.