INVESTMENT— £1.8m
The award winning RSPB wildlife
centre opened to the public in 2006. A unique nature reserve has
been restored to a grazing marshland following 100 years of use as
a MoD firing range. A fully accessible nature trail allows visitors
to experience nature firsthand throughout the seasons.
The marshes are home to a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians,
mammals and invertebrates. The reserve also offers a number of
events for all the family. The kids adventure play area and the
centre’s café with great views of the marshes makes the RSPB
Wildlife Centre a must see family attraction. The centre and
reserve is open all year round.
Subsequent phases are planned in order to develop the conservation
park into a visitor attraction capable of attracting 1,000,000
visitors per annum when completed in 2023. Plans include green
tramways, cafés and more visitor centres.
KEY OBJECTIVES
The Wildlife Centre and the
subsequent conservation park will become a new flagship green space
within the Thames Gateway which when complete, will form a 640
hectare conservation, recreation and amenity zone.
PARTNER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The conservation park is being
developed by a consortia of public bodies, which includes the
Thurrock and London Thames Gateway Development Corporations, the
local authorities of Thurrock and Havering, the RSPB, GLA and the
LDA.
KEY DATES
First phase of the reserve was opened to the public in 2006,
completion due in 2023.