19 March 2009
£8million investment to create Northwest wildlife visitor
attraction
£8million 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 £59million, 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 (specializing 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 in Spring 2009, 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.
Investment has been made into Brockholes because of the
project’s potential to stimulate the economies of Preston and
Lancashire. It will create several dozen new local jobs,
encourage many new visitors to the area and dramatically improve an
area of land currently classified as brownfield, but which is on a
high profile gateway to the region – immediately adjacent to
junction 31 of the M6 motorway. Brockholes will establish a highly
visible strategic asset using the sub-region’s natural economy as a
unique selling point.
The development of the site will also provide a high quality
environment for the local community which is within the top 10% of
the UK’s National Index of Multiple Deprivation as well as an ERDF
Objective 2 area.
Brockholes will be also one of the key attractions in the new
Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park, which stretches down the
tidal reaches of the River Ribble to the Fylde coast.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive at the NWDA said:
“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.”
Keith Jones, Regional Director of the Forestry Commission
said:
“The Forestry Commission and NWDA are now looking forward to
working with Lancashire Wildlife Trust to transform
Brockholes. Together we will create a high quality wetland
and woodland environment, which will enhance the local economy with
jobs and investment, offer a high quality visitor experience and
also provide a much needed green space for local communities and
nature. As well as becoming an important natural environment
attraction in its own right, Brockholes will also make a
significant contribution to the natural economy of the Northwest
region.”
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For further information, please contact Faith Ashworth, Creative
Concern, 0161 236 0600 / faith@creativeconcern.com
Images of the site, visualizations of the completed site,
visuals and plans for ‘A Floating World’ visitor centre and further
details on the vision and plans for Brockholes Wetland and Woodland
Nature Reserve are all available.
Interviews are also available on request.