AttrActionS


£4.2m Hitchin Town Hall scheme approved


peTe HaymaN


Plans for a £4.2m scheme to redevelop Hitchin Town Hall – part of which is to become a new museum – have been approved by local councillors. North Hertfordshire District Council


voted in favour of one of two options that had been put forward for the building. Te adopted scheme has received the


backing of community groups and will see the main hall refurbished for a range of activities, while other parts of the Town Hall will become the museum.


£10m HLF grant for Stonehenge peTe HaymaN


Plans to enhance the visitor experience at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, have received a £10m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Te funding is designed to


help plug a funding shortfall for the creation of a £27m vis- itor centre at the prehistoric monument, which attracts 900,000 visitors a year. In June, the government


announced that it was with- drawing a £10m contribution towards the proposals in a bid to help reduce public spend- ing and to cut the national deficit. Te proposed visitor centre, which will fea-


Doubts had been cast over the future of the Stonehenge scheme


ture enhanced exhibition and education space, is to be built at Airman’s Corner – 1.5 miles (2.4km) west of the World Heritage Site. HLF chair Dame Jenny Abramsky said: “Stonehenge demonstrates the vital role


NTS has set out its new blueprint for the islands


St Kilda management public consultation starts


maRTiN NaSH


Te National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is inviting feedback from members of the public on its management plan for St. Kilda, the UK’s only mixed World Heritage Site. Te plan sets out the significance of and


long-term vision for the islands, as well as the main priorities to be addressed. Vicky Cairns of NTS said: “Since 2008,


we have worked with our key stakehold- ers, local communities and the public to inform the future for St Kilda. We are keen to gather as many responses as possible.”


New museum service for Outer Hebrides?


peTe HaymaN


Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – Western Isles Council is inviting views on plans to estab- lish a new museums and archive service for the Outer Hebrides. Te proposals are being worked up with


the help of Heritage Lottery Fund support and will see the creation of a new hub at Lews Castle in Stornoway. Consultation meetings are being held


with Comainn Eachdraidh and other local groups. An online survey is also available for residents to participate in.


8


heritage plays within the UK’s tourism indus- try as well as being a great example of our fascinating history.” English Heritage chief executive Dr Simon


Turley added: “[Tis grant] sends out a mes- sage of confidence about the transformational benefits that the project will bring.”


Green light for Redcar vertical pier plans peTe HaymaN


Plans to construct an 80ft (24.4m) vertical pier on the seafront at Redcar, North Yorkshire, have been approved by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (RCBC). RCBC cabinet member for


culture, leisure and tourism Sheelagh Clarke said: “[Te Vertical Pier] is an integral part of the seafront improve- ments designed to breathe new life into the town.” Mark Hannon, cabinet


member for economic devel- opment added: “Tis is the biggest investment in Redcar for more than 100 years and provides the opportunity to develop the town as a retail and visitor destination.” Plans have been drawn up by a team led by Harrogate-based landscape architects Smeeden


Te proposed Vertical Pier will enhance Redcar’s seafront


Foreman. Seven Architecture, Arup and Davis Langdon are also involved with the scheme. Te attraction will boast a viewing platform


and a café, as well as galleries and studios for artists and the creative industries.


Dorset visitor centre plans submitted peTe HaymaN


Plans have been submitted for a new eco- friendly visitor centre at Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve near Bournemouth. Te proposed £1m facility is to incorporate an exhibition area for archaeology, ecology and


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


geology; a space for learning and community use; and outdoor learning areas. Work space for centre staff and volunteers;


access for disabled visitors; and a retail out- let similar to a National Trust shop are also mooted as part of the scheme.


Twitter: @leisureopps © cybertrek 2010


IMAGE: ENGLISH HERITAGE


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