Nature reserve attracts EU funding

WARNHAM DISCOVERY HUB

NATURE RESERVE ATTRACTS EU FUNDING

Horsham District Council is celebrating with the Friends of Warnham Nature Reserve, as plans for a new Discovery Hub at Warnham Local Nature Reserve have been given the go-ahead.

The Council has been awarded some £278,000 by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development who support investment in public recreational infrastructure.

Additional funding from both the Council and the Friends of Warnham Local Nature Reserve (right) is being added to the project with grants of £90,000 and £10,000 respectively.

The current site on Warnham Road, Horsham was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1987 and has grown in popularity ever since. Already home to a small visitor centre and café, the addition of the Discovery Hub will draw visitors from across the District and beyond.

The Discovery Hub (artists impression above), will boast a unique octagonal design created from wood and one-way glass. Large panoramic windows will offer breathtaking views across the Nature Reserve’s millpond. The space will be used for both educational and leisure purposes and will tell the story of the industrial, natural and social heritage of this important nature and conservation reserve.

“We are delighted that the Discovery Hub has been given the green light with EU funding” explained Councillor Jonathan Chowen, Horsham

District Council Cabinet Member for Community and Culture. He continued:

“The team have worked closely with the Friends of Warnham Local Nature Reserve, the general public and the funding authority to make a robust case for this important addition to the Horsham District.

The discovery trail is due to be completed by June 2019, with structural work on the Discovery Hub scheduled to start towards the end of the summer. Once underway, the project should take three months to complete with the reserve remaining open to the public for most of the time and disruption kept to a minimum.

The whole project is due to be completed and officially opened at the end of the year in celebration of the Horsham District Year of Culture 2019.

To read all the latest news on the progress of the Discovery Hub, please visit www.horsham.gov.uk /warnhamdiscoveryhub and receive regular updates by signing up to our dedicated newsletter at www.horsham.gov.uk/ parksandcountryside/parks-and-countryside .

12 MAR/APR 2019 HORSHAM PAGES North To advertise call 01403 588618 or visit www.horshampublications.com