First pictures released of new Sherwood Forest visitor centre

sherwood-forest-new-visitor-centre-design
Sherwood Forest visitor centre design (Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall Ltd, and Glen Kemp (Newcastle) Ltd)

Early designs have been released of the new £5.3m Sherwood Forest visitor centre planned for Edwinstowe.

The images have been but together by a new consortium led by the RSPB, which took over the project in November after years of setbacks.

Officials say the new pictures are early drafts of how the style and layout of the new visitor centre at Forest Corner, Edwinstowe, could look when completed in 2018.

The full plans will be on show at two free public drop-in sessions at Forest Corner, Edwinstowe, being held today and on Tuesday, to give people the chance to air their views on the design with the consortium and architects JDDK.

sherwood-forest-new-visitor-centre-design-2

Picture: Different views of how the centre would look from the forest and from Forest Corner

In a statement the consortium said: “Although these early concepts will evolve following this phase of consultation with local people, stakeholders and local authorities, the consortium intends to progress its planning application in the summer through Newark and Sherwood District Council.

“The aim is to start work on the building and surrounding areas by the end of 2016 and open the visitor centre during winter 2017.”

Drop-in session dates: Share your thoughts on the designs

Edwinstowe Cricket Club – today, Saturday March 19 11am-3pm

Edwinstowe YHA – Tuesday March 22 11am-4pm

Ross Frazer, RSPB project manager, said: “We are focused on delivering a new visitor centre and experience that is first class and reignites pride and passion in Sherwood Forest, its heritage, wildlife and the legend of Robin Hood.

“My team is looking forward to sharing our early draft concepts and having positive discussions about the future style of the visitor centre.”

sherwood forest visitor centre masterplan

Picture: A ‘masterplan’ overview of how the centre will fit in with the forest

Councillor John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “These sessions being organised by the RSPB and its consortium partners as they begin to develop their plans are vital to ensure local people are fully involved.”

Anyone with comments about the concepts can also email their thoughts to [email protected] by Tuesday 5 April.

The consortium also includes Thoresby Estate, Continuum Attractions and The Sherwood Forest Trust.

(Visited 333 times, 1 visits today)