Major new natural visitor attraction

£8m of regeneration funding has been announced by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), to create a major new natural visitor attraction on a former gravel extraction site near Preston, Lancashire.

Funding for the Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Reserve project has been granted under ‘Newlands’– a £59m, NWDA and Forestry Commission programme to transform brownfield land into durable community woodland, which act as catalysts for economic, social and environmental gain.

The Newlands partners will now work with Lancashire Wildlife Trust (the site owners) to transform the 106ha site into a premier wetland and woodland nature reserve, which is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people from across England’s Northwest and inject an economic boost to the local area and the region as a whole.

As well as building on the site’s existing natural assets to create a wealth of habitats (including lakes, reed beds, flower-rich grassland and a connection to 66ha of adjacent semi-natural ancient woodland), work on Brockholes will also include the creation of a major new visitor centre. The design of this cluster of buildings is based on an ancient marshland village, and the buildings will float on one of the site’s lakes, allowing visitors to feel as close to the water environment as possible.

Designed by Adam Khan Architects, the sustainably-built visitor centre (which is known as ‘A Floating World’) will include a shop and restaurant (specialising in local produce) education and exhibition areas and event space. The site is expected will generate sufficient income to be sustainable from day one of opening, securing the long-term future of the whole reserve.

Work will start on site this Spring, and the construction of A Floating World will commence in late 2009. The completed reserve and visitor centre is expected to be open for visitors by 2011.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive at the NWDA says: “The Brockholes development will not only provide an important and distinctive visitor attraction for the region, but will also influence future investment for the area with economic and social impacts felt at both a local and regional level.

“The NWDA recognises that Brockholes is a key site for the region and is pleased to support the development. With an increase in visitor and tourism facilities on site and the provision of well managed green space for local people it will enhance the positive perception of England’s Northwest as a whole.”

More information: www.nwda.co.uk