April launch for Wat Tyler visitor centre
A new £1.2m 'green' visitor centre at Wat Tyler Country Park in Pitsea, Essex, is to open in April after it was revealed that construction work was nearing completion.
Forest Gate Construction started work on the Laurie Wood-designed venue in November, which has seen part of the old Motorboat Museum transformed. Designed to be as energy efficient as possible, the new visitor centre will feature a range of sustainable construction materials and recycled material insulation.
Basildon District Council cabinet member for leisure and arts Kevin Blake said: "The theme of the centre will focus visitors on sustainability and low carbon living." Funding was provided through the government's Thames Gateway 'Parklands' initiative, as well as from Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust.