Launched in the summer of 2003, Newlands is a unique £59 million scheme that is reclaiming large areas of derelict, underused and neglected (DUN) land across England’s Northwest, and transforming it into thriving, durable, community woodlands.
A partnership of the Forestry Commission and the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Newlands is the 21st Century face of land regeneration: carefully planned; intelligence-led; delivering widespread public benefits; enhancing the environment; and delivered through partnerships.
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£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.”
