Telford redevelopment work sees demolition of visitor centre

Demolition work today began on Telford Town Park's visitor centre to make way for a new one as part of a £250 million redevelopment of the area.

Bulldozers were on site today tearing down Spout Farm House, which stands on the site of the proposed new centre. Building work is expected to start in the summer on the ambitious replacement centre, which will resemble a giant bird in flight.

Richard Mothersdale, engineer for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "The demolition of Spout Farm House has started.

"Builders demolished the internal walls and were knocking down the external frame today.

"We expect to start building the new visitor centre in the summer.

"The new facility will be high quality and environmentally friendly, promoting outdoor learning, particularly to school children, through its education facility."

Council chiefs say that the new visitor centre will mimic the splayed wings of a bird and form the focal point of the wider redevelopment of the area. It will be constructed of brick, wood and glass.

Facilities will include toilets with baby changing area, an information desk, a café, staff office, educational space and a bicycle hire facility.

Planners said that the bird-inspired design would be in keeping with the natural environment of the park and the wildlife which it supports.

Conservative group leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, Andrew Eade, whose Tory administration approved the new centre when in power last year, said he believed it would be a great replacement for the "tired" looking Spout Farm House.

Councillor Eade added that after it was approved by planners the centre would offer much more to town park users than Spout Farm House did.

"It will sell refreshments and include a number of user friendly facilities to help visitors to get out and explore the beauty of the town park," he said.

The visitor centre is part of the authority's £250 million plans which will transform the Southwater area of Telford.

It will boast a library, two hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as a leisure hub, hundreds of homes and also community facilities.