Express & Star

New plan for beauty spot

This is the first glimpse of the proposed new underground visitor centre which is set to be built at the  Barr Beacon beauty spot as part of an ambitious project to create a Black Country Urban Park.

Published

Plans for the centre at the nature reserve on the Walsall/Sandwell border are set to move a step closer within the next two months with a detailed application due to go before planners for approval in August.

The environmentally friendly building is designed to blend into the landscape and would have a number of facilities.

It includes a cafe serving drinks and snacks,children's education room and community exhibition display area.The building would also hold adult education classes at weekends and on summer evenings.

Proposals for the visitor centre have been drawn up by Walsall Council as part of the Green Bridge project which would use existing footpaths to create a 12 mile country park linking Walsall and West Bromwich.

People would access the green bridge through the Arboretum and Dartmouth Park, in West Bromwich and the route would pass through Barr Beacon.

Councillor Louise Harrison, Walsall Council cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "Barr Beacon needs a visitor centre and we want to get Walsall people using this magnificent natural landmark more.

"This project will help continue the revitalisation of our borough. It will also provide a chance for people to get together, whilst enjoying the magnificent views in a comfortable and modern environment.

The green bridge forms part of a wider project to create a Black Country Urban Park involving the four Black Country authorities of Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

The Black Country Urban Park project is competing with five other selected projects from across the country. The decision on which project wins up to £50 million of Lottery funding from the Living Landmarks programme will be made by public vote on national TV in the autumn.

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