A new £5.3 million visitor centre for Sherwood Forest has been given the go-ahead.
The design submitted by an RSPB-led consortium in September has been approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The scheme will replace the current visitor centre and car parks with a brand new modern facility, built at Forest Corner in Edwinstowe.
The RSPB are a nature conservation charity which joined forces with Sherwood Forest Trust, Continuum Attractions and Thoresby Estate to bring forward the plans.
Ross Frazer, manager of the project said: “We took on board a lot of feedback from the local community, and hope that they are just as excited as we are to be one step closer to bringing that vision to life.”
The visitor centre will include a welcome area, a shop and a cafe with a terrace and amphitheatre outdoor area.
As part of the new plan, the old visitors’ centre will be torn down and the area will be re-forested.
Nottinghamshire County Council hopes the new building will boost the local economy and help preserve the forest for wildlife.
The council’s culture committee chairman, John Knight, said: “This is great news for Sherwood Forest, for Robin Hood, local communities and for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to explore our historic country park each year.
“Our current visitor centre is well-loved but does not provide a full visitor offer that people expect. This new modern centre will be wonderful for everyone and will bring a real boost to the visitor economy.”
Nottinghamshire County Council appointed the consortium in August 2015 to design and build the new centre.
The project is expected to be finished by 2018.
County Council Leader Alan Rhodes said: “We have always been totally committed to plans for a new and modern visitor centre fit for the 21st century to promote the legend of Robin Hood and our world famous Sherwood Forest.
“Today’s news is exciting as it is bringing the vision one step closer to reality for everyone.”
Nottinghamshire County Council currently manage Sherwood Forest Country Park but management of the country park is set to transfer to the consortium in spring 2018.
