A WILDLIFE reserve is to be transformed in an £8.8 million scheme to create a new wetland and woodland visitor attraction.

Planning permission has been granted to develop Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Reserve, in Samlesbury.

Building work is expec-ted to start in October on the landmark floating visitors’ centre, designed by Adam Khan to look like a southern Iraqi marshland village.

The centre is expected to have buildings rising 40ft into the air, with the structures resting on a floating pontoon that will be on the edge of the wetland.

Once completed habitats including lakes, reed beds, flower-rich grassland together with a semi-natural ancient woodland will spread over 172 hectares.

Anne Selby, chief executive of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust said: “We are thrilled to hear planning permission has been granted, we can now make our vision to develop Brockholes into a haven for both wildlife and people a reality”

The reserve is being created by a partnership of Lancashire Wildlife Trust, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Forestry Commission, as part of the Newlands land regeneration programme.

Richard Tracey, head of environmental quality at the NWDA, which is providing £8.8 million in funding, said: “Brockholes will provide an important and distinctive visitor attraction for the region, influencing future invest-ment for the area.

“With an increase in visitor and tourism facilities on site and the provision of well mana-ged green space for local people it will enhance the positive perception of England’s North West as a whole.”

Keith Jones, North West regional director for the Forestry Commission said the development of the site was very welcome.

He said: “Brockholes is an inspiring site, and this flagship project will devel-op not only a high value wetland and woodland but a stunning visitor centre.

“We are now looking forward to working with Lancashire Wildlife Trust to turn Brockholes into this fantastic local asset, an exciting visitor experience and a significant contribution to the natural economy of the North West.”

The wetlands are already home to wildlife such as the Lapwing, Sand Martin, and Kingfisher, as well as more vulnerable species such as Whimbrel, Skylark, and Reed Bunting. There are also newts, bats, dragonflies, damselflies and otters.