Member Article

Calvert Trust submits plans for £10m expansion

Plans for the £10 million development of an outdoor activity centre for disabled and able-bodied people in the North East have been submitted to Northumberland County Council.

Improvements to the Calvert Trust Centre in Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland would enable thousands more people to benefit from activity park offering.

Additions and improvements include a visitor hub complete with climbing wall, caving system, bouldering wall, cafe and offices as well as a sports hall and outdoor activity area.

Five new self-catering cabins would also be built under the proposals, adding to the 10 cabins already available on the site close to Kielder Water.

Calvert Trust Chief Executive Peter Cockerill believes that the changes will enable the charity to move one step closer to their vision of ‘disability no limits’

He commented: “Calvert Trust at Kielder has been providing challenging outdoor activities for people of all abilities for more than 25 years and these exciting new plans will lay the foundations for growth over the next 25 years.”

“The development will benefit people with a wide range and degree of disability with some of the facilities open to Day visitors.

“It will also attract families with a disabled parent or child along with their able-bodied friends; charitable organisations working with people with disabilities; adults with care needs seeking a break on their own; special needs schools and mainstream schools, many of whom have disabled pupils.”

As a key member of the Development Trust Calvert Trusts Kielder’s plans would be a key component of that growing offer , joining other businesses in the area by becoming a sustainable year-round attraction.

Elisabeth Rowark, director of Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust said: “The plans look amazing - a new visitor hub will be a welcome addition to the existing facilities across Kielder Water & Forest Park.

“Over the past few years, new additions such as mountain bike trails and the Lakeside Way have contributed to making the Park a world class visitor destination.”

Architects, Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall Ltd and landscape architect Glen Kemp, have produced the plans which form part of the overall development of Kielder Water & Forest Park.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .