The
opening of the visitors centre at Brockholes Wetlands
and Woodlands Nature Reserve in 2011 will see the
North West of England launched into the national spotlight.
This destination will bring people and wildlife together
in harmony, showcasing 106 hectares of leisure, wildlife
and enjoyment in the Heart of Lancashire.
"This
iconic development will demonstrate that wildlife
can thrive within such a visitor attraction. We are
creating jobs and adding to the appeal of the area
for visitors. The centre will eventually be self-funding
and the income will be used to protect the reserve
for future generations." Ian Selby, Brockholes
project manager
The
History of Brockholes
For
the past ten years, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire,
Manchester and North Merseyside have been working
to secure this site of national environmental importance,
and restore habitats to their full potential.
Working
Together
£8
million of regeneration funding has been provided
for the Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Reserve project
has been granted under 'Newlands' - a £59 million,
Northwest Regional Development Agency and Forestry
Commission programme to transform brownfield land
into durable community woodland, which acts as catalysts
for economic, social and environmental gain.
The
Lancashire Environmental Fund awarded £446,000 for
the development of the education facilities, hides
and infrastructure on the site. Tubney Trust granted
£350,000 for Biodiversity and Natural England DEFRA's
Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund circa. £300,000.
The
Plans
The
unusual design brief was given to construct a sustainable
building in the middle of a flood plain. The winner
of the design competition, Adam Khan used inspiration
from similar buildings across the world in order to
produce a design to cope with this unpredictable environment.
The
magnificent floating design by Adam Khan, not only
overcomes all of these design issues, but also puts
the building and visitors as close the natural environment
as possible. Floating on the lake, set 1 ½ metres
below the ground level, the building will also be
below tree level and is designed to complement the
beautiful lakeside location, making this a real hidden
oasis in the Heart of Lancashire.
The
design has evolved over the past few months through
consultation with Wildlife Trust staff, volunteers
and advisory groups, particularly to ensure the highest
level of sustainable construction. For example, thatch
was proposed for the roofing of the building. However,
as we do not grow enough reeds in the UK, this would
have meant importing material from Holland and so
was not a practical option, and not particularly good
for the environment.
Instead,
the roof is to be made out of Oak shakes (wooden tiles),
an excellent renewable source readily available in
the UK. This material is easy to use and will mature
to a silvery grey colour, helping the visitors centre
to blend into the natural environment.
The
pontoon (floating platform)will be made from concrete,
and designed with a honeycomb effect to make it float.
This material had the lowest embedded energy levels,
and is the most sustainable in the long term. Far
less concrete will be used in the pontoon than for
foundations if the building were built on land. Other
materials considered were plastic, which would have
been too thick, and steel, which was not a sustainable
long term option due to rust.
The
site will also include a purpose built classroom,
so that local school children can come and encounter
nature with our team of environmental education experts.
We will use our 20 years experience of inspiring people
about the natural world to create a truly memorable
day of learning outside the classroom for thousands
of children every year.
This
mixture of iconic designs and use of natural materials
will create an atmosphere where people can come face
to face with wildlife and the natural environment.
The site will showcase the finest local produce, giving
visitors a real taste for the region and encouraging
tourists to visit the region. With no admission charge,
outdoor play areas and walkways around the site it
will become a vital resource to the local community.
Packed full of leisure and pleasure, the site will
offer a unique visitor experience for tourists and
locals alike.
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust is a Registered Charity (No. 229325)
and a Registered Company (No.731548)
dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire,
seven boroughs of
Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying North of the
River Mersey.
Copyright Lancashire Wildlife Trust 2006
The
Plans 
