Work has started on a new £600,000 community visitor centre on the Forestry Commission estate in the Wyre Forest, as part of as part of the Wyre Forest Landscape Partnership Scheme – ‘Grow With Wyre’.
Led by the Forestry Commission with assistance from the Wyre Forest Study Group and a range of other partners, ‘Grow with Wyre’ is a major project to restore the unique landscape of Wyre and to celebrate its rich working history.
The new ‘Gateway to Wyre Community Discovery Centre’ at Callow Hill, near Bewdley, has been designed to offer a base for the local community and visitors to learn more about the local landscape and its natural heritage.
Much of the Wyre area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and many rare species of flora and fauna can be found there. The landscape consists of rolling hills, woodland, orchards and open water with picturesque valleys, which are rich in geological interest.
Due to open to the public in spring 2010, the new ‘Gateway to Wyre Community Discovery Centre’ will act as a gathering point for Wyre landscape data collection, information giving and community engagement for all ages and abilities, particularly those from surrounding urban areas, where sustainable transport is encouraged.
Facilities will include two classrooms for education and community use and a records centre, which have the potential to increase learning opportunities from 10,000 to 20,000 a year. The Centre also expects to welcome 5,000 school children and 5,000 people attending training and skills courses each year.
Ian Hickman from the Forestry Commission and Wyre Forest Landscape Partnership, says:
“The new ‘Gateway to Wyre Community Discovery Centre’ is part of a very exciting programme of changes happening in Wyre Forest over the next few years.
"We will be building on the existing education programme to engage new audiences and promote a wider understanding and enjoyment of the Wyre landscape. We will also be providing an enhanced training and skills programme for local communities and visitors.”
Training courses run at the new Centre will be designed to equip people with traditional and innovative land management skills. These skills can be then be used to help conserve, maintain, restore and enhance the Wyre landscape and support local products and crafts.
Rosemary Winnall, Secretary of the Wyre Forest Study Group, says:
“We’ll be taking the lead role in developing an archive and recording centre for the Wyre landscape and helping to promote the area’s unique biodiversity to a wider audience.
“Computerised audio material and documents will be available to the local community and visitors to learn more about the area’s working history and wildlife as well as opportunities for people to help record new data on how the Wyre landscape looks today.”
The new community building will also demonstrate best practice in energy efficiency, environmental management and sustainable design. The use of highly efficient insulation technology and wood fuel heat will reduce the high and increasing fossil fuel costs and reduce carbon emissions.
A series of consultations were completed between 2007 and 2008 to seek the opinions of local stakeholders such as Rock Parish Council, Arley Parish Council and local residents. Outline planning permission was secured from Wyre Forest District Council.
A Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £2 million will drive the ‘Grow With Wyre’ scheme forward with other funding totalling nearly £294,000 from GrantScape, a further £74,000 from SITA Trust and funding from the ‘Grow with Wyre’ partners.
The Forestry Commission is the lead partner in the Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Scheme, joined by Natural England, Shropshire County Council, Bewdley Development Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Worcestershire County Council, Wyre Forest Study Group, Wyre Community Land Trust, Wyre Forest District Council and the National Trust.
For more information about the Grow With Wyre projects please contact the project team or see the website www.forestry.gov.uk/growwithwyre
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Images of work starting on the Wyre Forest Community Discovery Centre can be obtained by calling 01524-782086.
- The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. It supports woodland owners with grants; tree felling licences, regulation and advice; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Government on forestry policy. It manages more than a million hectares (2.5 million acres) of national forest land for public benefits such as sustainable timber production, public recreation, nature conservation, and rural and community development. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk. The Forestry Commission is the Lead Partner in the ‘Grow With Wyre’ Scheme.
- The Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Scheme is being delivered by a partnership of the following organisations; Heritage Lottery Fund, Forestry Commission, Natural England, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council, Butterfly Conservation, Shropshire County Council, Wyre Forest Community Land Trust, Wyre Forest Study Group, National Trust and Bewdley Development Trust.
- The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awarded a Stage One pass to the partnership of £150,000 they also ear-marked nearly £1.8 million for the delivery phase to the Grow With Wyre’ Landscape Partnership Scheme. HLF enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy. They have supported more than 28,800 projects, allocating £4.3billion across the UK, including over £290million in the West Midlands alone. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
- SITA Trust - SITA Trust was set up in 1997 and runs three funding programmes including Enriching Nature – for biodiversity projects within the vicinity of landfill sites in England. Each year, SITA Trust commits over £7 million nationwide through the Landfill Communities Fund, see www.sitatrust.org.uk. The Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme). Landfill tax was introduced in 1996 to encourage more sustainable ways of managing waste. The landfill tax legislation also brought about the Landfill Communities Fund. This scheme allows landfill operators to voluntarily donate 6.6% of their landfill tax liability to environmental improvement projects. The Landfill Communities Fund is independently regulated on behalf of HM Government’s Revenue & Customs by ENTRUST.
- GrantScape - GrantScape has an eleven-year environmental and community grant-making heritage. It is also a major funder of biodiversity projects across England and Wales, see www.grantscape.org.uk. Since 2005, GrantScape has awarded £8 million through its Biodiversity Challenge Fund to twenty projects considered to deliver the most significant gains for the UK’s priority habitats and species. Grow with Wyre was one of the six grant award winners under its 2007 Biodiversity Challenge Fund. The grant from GrantScape is also made available through the Landfill Communities Fund, using monies provided by Waste Recycling Group Ltd.
- MEDIA CONTACTS: Ian Hickman (Wyre Forest Landscape Partnership/Forestry Commission) on 01584 813828 or email ian.hickman@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact Alison Coggon (Administrative Officer - Grow With Wyre) on 01584 813828 or email alison.coggon@forestry.gsi.gov.uk