Inspired funding
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have confirmed £200,000 funding for the National Wildflower Centre “Inspire” project to enable the scheme design to be developed and submitted for planning permission by the end of March 2010.
The scheme will provide an innovative, architecturally striking educational, conference and seed production complex at the existing centre in Court Hey Park, Knowsley.
Once completed, the new facility will provide a stunning new feature for the Borough of Knowsley and enable the National Wildflower Centre to expand and enhance its groundbreaking educational offer.
The winning scheme by Manchester-based Ian Simpson Architects was selected in March 2009 after winning an open international RIBA competition ahead of 144 entries.
In advance of the planning application submission, the Friends of Court Hey Park will host a public consultation meeting on the scheme proposals at 4pm on Friday 20th November 2009 at the National Wildflower Centre. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting to find out more about the proposal scheme before the formal application is lodged.
Richard Tracey, Head of Environmental Quality, NWDA said:
“The aspiration to produce a new educational and visitor facility that will engage young people in exploring mathematics and science through wildflowers is an admirable and exciting one which has a potentially strong resonance with the Agency’s environmental quality and skills agenda. It is also good to see that the region’s best architects can compete and win in such a large international field. ”
Grant Luscombe, Chief Executive of Landlife said:
“We are delighted that the NWDA has enabled Landlife to take this exciting project forward. The design will inspire youngsters to explore complex scientific concepts at the National Wildflower Centre, our hub for innovative environmental activity situated in Knowsley, The Wildflower Borough.”
Ian Simpson said:
“We look forward to the challenge of producing a beautiful, zero carbon building, which marries both the aims and ambitions of the National Wildflower Centre and the local community.”
