ITPAS - Planning - Thurstaston Visitor Centre

AGM & Summer Talk...

Professor Stephen Harding

Weds 4th June...

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Thurstaston Visitor Centre

Rumours have abound over the last few months regarding proposals to 'develop' the Thurstaston Visitor Centre at Wirral Country Park, one of Wirrals most visited tourist locations.

As a result ITPAS committee members have become actively involved in the 'Friends of Wirral Country Park' group. This will ensure we have an input in to what goes on, though we are happy to report the group appears to have aims that would not conflict with the Societies views. You can read our new article about the group by clicking here.

In the meantime, we have published some more information below, so you can see for yourself, but please remember, that the information has been extracted from a consultation document designed to set out the problems and possibilities and is not necessarily 'set in stone'.

Some of the key points mentioned in the report are reproduced here:-

The visitor centre has been established since the 1970's. Facilities include reception; toilets; shop; bird hide; information and educational displays and a lecture theatre. Amongst the thousands of annual visitors include 18,000 school children.

Advantages:-

Well established site with excellent views

Good strategic position in the park

Current building is hidden and low key.

Disadvantages:-

	Poor use of overspill car park potential
	Lack of arrival experience and confusing route from car park to the building
	Poor visibility to and from the building
	Lacks presence and stature
	Generally outmoded feel with adhoc and outdated information
	Poor internal spaces and facilities with poor heating and energy efficiency

Solutions:-

	The building to have a close relationship to the site and its surroundings and symbolise the attractions of the park
	Materials should demonstrate green credentials with use of local stone and natural materials, with consideration given to green energy
	The building should be low and present low visibility in its surroundings
	The internal layout should better represent the nature of its use with more gathering space, improved viewing and first class interpretation, a more logical sequence of arrival.
	Low key appropriate refreshment and retail provision consistent with 'green' objectives of the visitor centre.

Other solutions include improving the surface of the car parks and drainage. Improved access, paths & signage. Provide new steps to the beach at key central location and ensure minimum damage to SSSI. Provide improved access to Wildlife Ponds and Marl Pits.

The new steps at 'Tinkers Dell'

(Further steps may replace the closed off one's at other points along the cliffs as part of the proposals)

There are many other aspects of this report, which include the disposal of the camping ground and mention is made of a North West coastal path. Clearly this could be a small part of a much bigger project and we would certainly expect more information. As a result, we had Rnager, James Locke give us a talk at our AGM June 2006, which helped dispell any of the rumours.