Major Bid For Heart Of The Forest Moves Step Closer

A major bid to the Big Lottery Fund for an exciting development centred at the heart of The National Forest has moved forward to the next stage in a rigorous selection process. The project would not only transform the heart of the Forest area, creating major iconic features and new facilities, but also create new links through the Forest and out to the region.

The bid has been submitted by the independent charity that runs Conkers Discovery Centre - the Heart of The National Forest Foundation, in partnership with the National Forest Company, Leicestershire County Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and South Derbyshire District Council.

New facilities would include a unique woodland and Forest craft attraction to provide a vibrant Creative Forest Experience. An aerial walkway through the maturing woodland would be developed along with a water sports centre for quiet water activities. A magnificent new 100-mile National Forest trail is planned as part of the project together with a network of all-abilities green routes, spectacular new bridges and the re-linking of the Ashby Canal to the national canal network.

Detailed feasibility work will now take place to support the bid for the next phase. The final decision on whether the bid will be one of the handful to be successful, from the hundreds of bids submitted nationally, will be made in Autumn 2007.