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Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn Point Visitor Centre

Houlton were pleased to be awarded the contract to construct an exciting new Discovery Centre for The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust at Spurn Point. The project commenced May 2017 and was completed in March 2018.

We are again working in partnership with Mason Clark Associates as the Structural Engineers and also Salt who are the incumbant Architects.

THE SITE

Spurn is an internationally important nature reserve with sensitive areas that require a careful balance for both people and wildlife to benefit. Without this, Spurn’s natural heritage will be at risk, its unique location and habitats are like nowhere else in Yorkshire.

THE NEED FOR A VISITOR CENTRE

The current visitor offer and facilities at Spurn are not fit for purpose, especially for an increasingly varied audience, attracted by the so-called ‘Springwatch’ effect. Recent years have seen a drop in visitor numbers by more than half. Existing facilities are not flood resilient and have a limited lifespan due to coastal erosion. Improved car parking is required to manage vehicle numbers and movements.

THE PREFERRED CENTRE LOCATION

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s chosen location meets an exhaustive list of criteria, ranging from Heritage Coast and highways requirements, to visual and wildlife impact, and future sustainability and strategic location to manage visitor movements and interaction. It is a location that allows a state of the art, flood resilient building.

SAFETY

Changes in Spurn’s landscape in 2013 created an unprecedented tidal safety challenge, but also a new feature of tourism interest. This can only be met by maximising the engagement with all visitors, at the natural entry point at Spurn.

THE OPPORTUNITY

East Yorkshire is at the forefront of a growing £15m regional ‘nature tourism’ market. The region already boasts industry-leading facilities attracting tens of thousands of visitors, driving additional tourism spend in local communities. Spurn should not be left behind in this opportunity to boost not only jobs and growth in surrounding areas, but the wider Holderness and East Yorkshire tourism zone. 

The centre was opened by Simon King OBE and has gone on to be awarded the title of Best Public Service Building at the LABC Building Excellence Awards for North and east Yorkshire.

Simon King said “Spurn is a magnet for thousands of birds and a myriad of other creatures…places like Spurn need to feel comfortable, accessible, safe and familiar for people – that’s a good thing. I wholeheartedly endorse the introduction of a visitor centre at Spurn.”­­

Project Information

Value

£1,100,000

Location

East Riding

Duration

22 Weeks

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