Views Sought On Visitor Centre Plan For Canal’s Wildlife Reserve

Published on: 13 Jan, 2016
Updated on: 18 Nov, 2020

The Wey & Arun Canal Trust is seeking views and support for plans to build a visitor centre at its new wildlife reserve at Shalford.

The project will be revealed to the public during a consultation session this coming Sunday afternoon (January 17).

Plans for a building in Hunt Nature Park will be on display at Shalford and District Social Club in Station Road, Shalford, from noon to 4pm.

The viewing platform at the Hunt Nature Park. Picture: Wey & Arun Canal Trust.

Trust officers will be available to answer questions about the visitor centre, the park and the canal restoration in general.

Hunt Nature Park, which straddles the Cranleigh Waters stream alongside the A281 Horsham Road in Shalford, is being developed by the trust as a wetlands wildlife area.

Wey & Arun Canal Trust chairman Sallly Schupke said: “It’s part of our intention to create a ‘green corridor’ along the length of the canal.

“A visitor centre will help us keep the public informed about the park and its wildlife and the canal restoration in the area.

“We are keen to know what people think about our intentions so please come and find out what we want to do.”

The visitor centre will be linked to boardwalks which will enable visitors to explore the park. Schoolchildren and other young people will be encouraged to make educational trips for activities such as pond dipping.

To improve the environment attract wildlife, volunteers have cleared undergrowth, planted new trees and hedges, dug out ponds, created a riverside accessible path and built a viewing platform where people can enjoy the views and have a picnic.

“We are about far more than just restoring a waterway for boaters” added Ms Schupke. “The trust provides facilities for the whole community, from ramblers to anglers.”

Find out more about Hunt Nature Park and the canal restoration plans at www.weyandarun.co.uk.

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