Wildlife Trust unveils its fi rst visitor centre at Rushden Lakes
In 2016 the Wildlife Trust in Northamptonshire is set to open the doors of its fi rst visitor centre. This will form part of the planned retail complex at Rushden Lakes which was given planning permission earlier this year.
The multi-million pound retail complex will be in the centre of a globally-important area for overwintering birds, located within the Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area (SPA) and it has been designed to be sympathetic to this important wildlife area. A large part of the development site has been set aside as a major new nature reserve that will be managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, to safeguard a vital space which will link together four of our existing nature reserves at Irthlingborough, Ditchford, Higham Ferrers Pits and Wilson’s Pits. These precious fragments of wildlife habitat will then form one large area for nature, managed by the Trust, and bring benefi ts to people and wildlife along this sensitive part of the Nene Valley.
The visitor centre - built by the developer, LXB - will be managed by the Wildlife Trust and will act as a gateway for people to access and enjoy the wildlife of the Nene Valley. The eco building will be zero energy and also features a green roof which will absorb rainwater, provide insulation and create wildlife habitat.
Local company Canoe2 - corporate partners of the Wildlife Trust - will provide canoe hire, and new cycle greenways will be built so visitors can explore the area without disturbing wildlife. A restored bridge and footpath to Irthlingborough will also enable visitors to explore further afi eld.
The developer, LBX, has seen nature as an asset rather than a nuisance in this ground-breaking scheme, and Oliver Burke, Director of Living Landscapes at the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, is very excited about the new visitor centre. It will be the fi rst that this Wildlife Trust has managed, which will include a shop, a café and visitor information and has been designed to take advantage of the stunning views of the nature reserve. If everything goes to plan, the Wildlife Trust will be welcoming the fi rst visitors to the new site in 2016.
For more information please contact Claire Wylde, Nene Valley Campaigns Offi cer by phone, 01604 405285 or by email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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