Plans for temporary visitor centre at country park near Wellingborough

If approved, the mobile unit would sell drinks and pre-packaged food for visitors to Summer Leys
How the proposed visitor centre could lookHow the proposed visitor centre could look
How the proposed visitor centre could look

A temporary visitor centre could be installed at a country park near Wellingborough

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire wants to have a temporary visitor centre at its Summer Leys site in Hardwater Road, Wollaston.

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The plan is to install the mobile unit within the existing car park area.

Documents filed as part of the application submitted to Wellingborough Council say the unit will offer sales of drinks and pre-packaged food, will provide a hub for community activity, and provide a focal point for information for park visitors.

The documents also say: "Although the centre is mobile, if there is sufficient usage of the centre it will remain in position on site, and therefore planning permission will be sought from the local authority.

"That process will also require a flood risk assessment before permission can be granted.

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"It is not expected that the centre will result in a significant increase in visitor numbers as numbers are currently restricted by the available parking.

"We do anticipate an increase in litter as a result of the supply of drinks and food.

"Collection arrangements will be in place alongside the centre itself, and the trust will instigate a litter-picking arrangement in the surrounding areas of the nature reserve."

No firm date has been set, but it is hoped the new visitor centre could be in place before the end of the year.

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A date of May 21 has been set for determination of the application.

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